Lorne Waterfall Circuit Trail

The Lorne Waterfall Circuit Trail is 28.04 km long with 953 m of elevation gain, which puts it firmly in the medium range for fit hikers. It is a substantial outing rather than a short waterfall walk, and the climbing adds up across the circuit through the hills behind Lorne.

The Lorne Waterfall Circuit Trail is listed as a multi-day hike, but strong hikers can also complete a route of this length in one long day. At 28.04 km with 953 m of ascent, most people should plan it as a full-day effort at minimum, with extra time for waterfall stops and side trips around Lorne.

A commonly used starting point for the Lorne waterfall circuits is the Sheoak Falls Carpark just outside Lorne. Another well-known access point for shorter linked waterfall loops is Allenvale Road near the Saint George River, but the full 28.2 km waterfall circuit is commonly described from Sheoak Falls Carpark.

The longer Lorne waterfall circuit is commonly described as linking eight named falls in Great Otway National Park: Sheoak Falls, Swallow Cave Falls, Phantom Falls, Henderson Falls, Won Wondah Falls, Lower Kalimna Falls, Upper Kalimna Falls, and Cumberland Falls. Some versions also include an optional side trip to Castle Rock.

Dogs are generally not permitted in Great Otway National Park, which covers the main waterfall country around Lorne. Parks Victoria notes that some specific areas in the wider Otways allow dogs on lead, but the main Lorne waterfall circuit should be treated as not dog-friendly unless a clearly signed section states otherwise.

The Lorne Waterfall Circuit Trail is usually at its best in cooler, wetter months when the creeks and falls are flowing strongly and the fern gullies are lush. Summer can still be scenic, but warmer conditions can make a 28.04 km route with 953 m of climbing feel much tougher, and seasonal track conditions can affect access in the Otways.

The Lorne Waterfall Circuit Trail is better suited to hikers with some endurance than to beginners or young kids. Even though the overall difficulty is rated medium, 28.04 km and 953 m of ascent is a serious day on foot, especially on uneven rainforest and bush tracks around the waterfalls near Lorne.