Erskine Falls Extended Loop

This walk starts near the Allenvale Road Carpark, at the end of Allenvale Road, Lorne, looping along the Otway Ranges following the Erskine River. Embark on a hike that takes you past Phantom Falls, the Cora Lynn Cascades, Lemonade Creek, Erskine Falls, Straw Falls, Splitter Falls and the Erskine River Rapids. Navigate through lush green foliage and mossy forest, with the gentle sound of the running stream throughout the hike. The walk is long and challenging, but at each waterfall, you are rewarded with spectacular views of water cascading over cliff faces. The trail is quite muddy and damp in some places. There are many river crossings across really slippery rocks, but with the help of hiking poles and some cautious stepping, you can make it through without wet shoes. This walk should not be attempted when the water levels are high. Dogs are allowed on a small portion of this trail, but most of the loop is in Great Otway National Park, which generally does not allow dogs. There is a campsite en route, and this hike can be completed with an overnight stop. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	(-38.5486552,143.9585832)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Geelong Ring Road, M1 Turn on to Anglesea Road Offramp, C134 then drive for 550 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Anglesea Road, C134 and drive for another 2.9 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Anglesea Road, C134 and drive for another 7.6 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Anglesea Road, C134 and drive for another 3.8 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Great Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 50 m Make a U-turn onto Great Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 55 m At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Great Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 7.7 km At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Great Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 3.7 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Great Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 27.8 km Turn right onto Stirling Street and drive for another 120 m Turn left onto Dorman Street and drive for another 155 m Turn slight left onto Deans Marsh Road, C151 and drive for another 710 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ocean Road, B100 and drive for another 350 m At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Otway Street and drive for another 870 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Allenvale Road and drive for another 1.5 km

Track Notes

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start heading along Allenvale Road.
	After another 15 m turn right. Allenvale Carpark. After another 195 m cross the bridge (about 5 m long) After another 530 m come to the "cascades" (20 m on your right).
	After another 920 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m turn right.
	After another 15 m continue straight. Then pass a seat (on your left). Then come to the viewpoint. Then head up the steps (about 30 m long) After another 9 m come to the viewpoint. After another 5 m pass the "Phantom Falls" (20 m on your left).
	After another 700 m turn left.
	After another 50 m continue straight. After another 6 m pass the "Cora Lynn Carpark" (5 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Optional sidetrip to the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 5.2 km continue straight.
	After another 800 m continue straight.
	After another 2.4 km turn right. After another 45 m come to the viewpoint. After another 65 m pass a seat (8 m on your right). After another 6 m head up the steps (about 70 m long) Then pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 60 m continue straight. After another 255 m pass the "Straw Falls" (10 m on your left). After another 1.6 km come to the "Splitter Falls Lookout" (15 m on your left). After another 4.7 km cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 305 m continue straight. After another 700 m pass the "Erskine Backpackers" (20 m on your right).
	Turn right, to head along Ocean Road. After another 35 m pass the "The Fat Ladies" (130 m on your left).
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Clissold Street & Smith Street) continue straight, to head along Smith Street.
	After another 110 m (at the intersection of Otway Street & Smith Street) turn right, to head along Otway Street. After another 165 m (at the intersection of Grove Road & Otway Street) continue straight, to head along Otway Street.
	After another 85 m (at the intersection of Otway Street & Smith Street) continue straight, to head along Otway Street. After another 30 m (at the intersection of Otway Street & Clovelly Court) continue straight, to head along Otway Street.
	After another 190 m (at the intersection of William Street & Otway Street) continue straight, to head along Otway Street. After another 110 m (at the intersection of Otway Street & Fern Avenue) continue straight, to head along Otway Street.
	After another 135 m turn left.
	After another 30 m continue straight.
	After another 20 m turn left.
	After another 115 m continue straight, to head along Allenvale Road. After another 700 m (at the intersection of Henderson Track & Allenvale Road) continue straight, to head along Allenvale Road. After another 30 m pass the car park (9 m on your right). After another 620 m come to "Allenvale Mill Camp Site".
	The end.

Optional sidetrip to the Blanket Leaf Picnic Ground

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After 460 m to find the car park. After another 15 m to find the toilet.
	After another 9 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 480 m to the main route.

Terrain

Erskine Falls Extended Loop

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	21 km
Time	7 h to 11 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Hostel: There is one 18.6 km from the start.

Camp site: There is one 21.2 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 7.7 km (plus an extra 470 m along side route) from the start.

Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 5.2 km apart with the largest gap of 10 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	1.7 km	[seat]
Toilet	7.7 km + 470 m	[toilet]
Seat	10.9 km	[seat]
Seat	11 km	[seat]
Hostel	18.6 km	Erskine Backpackers
Camp site	21.2 km	Allenvale Mill Camp Site

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