Lorne to Erskine Falls

This walk starts near the car park off Ocean Road, Lorne, taking you to Erskine Falls via a singular track, visiting Splitter Falls Lookout and Straw Falls along the way. Embark on this peaceful walk following the Erskine River through rainforests and lush green fern gullies carved out by rivers and waterfalls, with streams and cascades along the way. The uphill hike is challenging, but the views of the scenic falls and lush rainforest ecosystem make it well worth it. After the rains, the falls are at their most majestic. However, this walk should not be attempted when water levels are high. Be prepared for steep steps up and down, a slightly slippery path, and occasional rock hopping river crossings. At Erskine Falls, there is a very easily accessible upper viewing platform and a lower platform with better views that requires descending about 240 steps, with a couple of rest stops. The stairs are well made and have handrails, so there is not much risk of tripping or slipping. 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 Tips on staying safe on track
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 Transport options and directions

Start (-38.5354084,143.9738425)
Mode Bus Car
Directions From
Finish From the Erskine Falls Access Road (-38.5069086,143.9126408)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the car park off Ocean Road, head towards the wooden narrow bridge next to the big one. Cross the bridge, then follow the Ocean Road/Mountjoy Parade as it veers left. Turn right at the roundabout and head along Otway Street to continue along Lorne to Erskine Falls Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 8 m (from the Erskine Avenue) turn left, to head along Erskine Avenue (a residential road). Find the pay phone at the start. At the intersection of Ocean Road & Erskine Avenue turn right, to head along Ocean Road (a highway\|primary). After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 40 m long) After another 15 m pass the "Saporitalia" (20 m on your right). Then pass the "Riverbank" (25 m on your right). Then pass the "Pizza Pizza" (35 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Ocean Road & Mountjoy Parade continue straight, to head along Ocean Road. After another 8 m pass the "Erskine Backpackers" (20 m on your right). After another 45 m (from the Mountjoy Parade) continue straight, to head along Mountjoy Parade. Keep right. After another 35 m pass the "Lorne Visitor Information Centre" (25 m on your left).
	After another 15 m (from the Otway Street) veer right, to head along Otway Street (a residential road). After another 7 m pass the "The Fat Ladies" (20 m on your left). After another 15 m (from the Otway Street) continue straight, to head along Otway Street.
	After another 100 m (at the intersection of Smith Street & Otway Street) turn right, to head along Smith Street.
	After another 105 m (at the intersection of Clissold Street & Smith Street) turn left, to head along Clissold Street.
	After another 115 m (at the intersection of Clissold Street & Grand Parade) continue straight, to head along Clissold Street.
	After another 80 m (at the intersection of Polwarth Road & Clissold Street) turn right, to head along Polwarth Road.
	After another 190 m (at the intersection of Polwarth Road & Richardson Boulevard) turn right, to head along Polwarth Road. After another 105 m head through/around the gate. After another 10 m continue straight.
	After another 15 m turn left.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to Erskine River Rapids. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 360 m (from the TRACK 1) continue straight, to head along TRACK 1. After another 305 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	After another 1.6 km cross the ford. From the Erskine River continue straight.
	After another 1.8 km cross the ford. From the Erskine River veer right.
	After another 210 m cross the ford. From the Erskine River continue straight.
	After another 1.1 km come to the "Splitter Falls Lookout" (10 m on your right).
	After another 1.6 km pass the "Straw Falls" (8 m on your right).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Optional side trip getting you closer to Erskine Falls. Crosses the river twice. This track can be dangerous, please take care. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 225 m continue straight. After another 20 m head down the steps (about 70 m long) Then pass a seat (on your left). After another 110 m come to the viewpoint.
	After another 6 m pass the "Erskine Falls" (30 m on your right). After another 15 m continue straight.
	Continue another 20 m to find from the Erskine Falls Access Road at the end.

Side trip to Erskine River Rapids.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the TRACK 1 Start (a walking track). After another 65 m come to "Erskine River Rapids". The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 65 m to the main route.

Optional side trip getting you closer to Erskine Falls. Crosses the river twice. This track can be dangerous, please take care.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After 25 m cross the ford. From the Erskine River continue straight.
	After another 85 m come to a ford. From the Erskine River continue straight. About 35 m past the end is "Erskine Falls". The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 105 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Lorne to Erskine Falls

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.4 km
Time	3 h 30 min to 5 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (2/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Hostel: There is one 100 m from the start.

Seat: There is one 8.2 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Hostel	100 m	Erskine Backpackers
Seat	8.2 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Erskine Falls Bushwalking Track - Explore the Great Ocean Road | Erskine Falls - Parks Victoria | Erskine Falls - Lorne Victoria | Straw Falls - World of Waterfalls | Splitter Falls - annabel claire | Great Otway National Park - Parks Victoria
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Aireys Inlet Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed
  
  Thursday 29 May
  
  17°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the east, most likely in the evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Friday 30 May
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 17.
  
  Saturday 31 May
  
  10°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 3 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 17.
  
  Sunday 1 June
  
  8°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Areas of frost and the chance of fog in the east in the morning. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 5 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 17.
  
  Monday 2 June
  
  9°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Tuesday 3 June
  
  11°C → 15°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 4 June
  
  9°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts

Start	(-38.5354084,143.9738425)
Mode	Bus Car
Directions	From
Finish	From the Erskine Falls Access Road (-38.5069086,143.9126408)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Weather Forecast

Alerts