Visit the Erskine Falls
Visit Erskine Falls and you’ll see why Lorne is the heart of Victoria’s waterfall country. Tucked in the Great Otway National Park, this beauty drops 30 metres into a fern gully that looks like a movie set and is only 15 minutes from the Great Ocean Road.
I’m Paul Beames, and after decades of guiding along this stretch of coast, I still get a buzz walking down that stairway into the cool spray of Erskine Falls. It’s one of those places that resets your rhythm — a tonic after long kilometres on the road.
The Heart Of Lorne’s Waterfall Country
Falls History
Before the first Great Ocean Road tour came to this coast, the land around Lorne was the country of the Eastern Maar People, the Traditional Custodians of this land. Their connection to the Erskine River, Otway Ranges and surrounding bushland is still strong today.
The region’s cultural heritage is acknowledged through signage and interpretive panels at the Visitor Information Centre and key sites like Erskine Falls Road. When you walk here, you are walking on a Country that has been cared for for tens of thousands of years — respect that by walking on the Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track and official tracks.
European settlers arrived in the 1850s and soon discovered the area’s tourist potential. By the early 1900s, Erskine Falls was a highlight of the early Great Ocean Road, and the Kalimna Tramline, which hauled timber from the Upper Kalimna Falls area, helped shape the access to today’s waterfall walks.
Facts
To keep your bearings, here are some quick facts about Erskine Falls:
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Location | Erskine Falls Access Rd, 10 km inland from Lorne, VIC |
Height | 30 metres |
Water Source | Erskine River (flows year-round, strongest in winter–spring) |
Access Time | 15–20 minutes’ drive from Lorne township |
Track Distance | 300 m (upper lookout), 700 m return (base of falls) |
Difficulty | Moderate – steep steps on the lower section |
Facilities | Car park, toilets, picnic area, viewing platforms |
Managed by | Parks Victoria |
Best Visiting Time | May–October for peak water flow |
So yes — it’s an easy morning adventure, but bring good shoes and a camera with a rain cover. The spray down there will give your lens a fine misting.
How To Get There
You can get to Erskine Falls by car, bike or foot, depending on your level of enthusiasm. The easiest way is from Lorne, along Erskine Falls Road — a sealed and well-maintained road that winds 10 km into the hills.
There’s a car park at the top, usually with space except in peak summer. From there, you have two options:
- Upper Lookout: 5 minutes along a short flat track — perfect for those with mobility issues or short on time.
- Lower Platform: 230 steps down (and back up again) through fern gullies and mossy rock faces.
If you’re fit, consider parking in Lorne and walking the Erskine River Track all the way in — more on that soon. But for most people, a morning drive and a leg stretch down to the base is the way to go.
Pro tip: Get there before 10 am. You’ll beat the tour groups and catch the morning mist drifting through the valley.
The Tracks
Erskine Falls Walk (700m Return)
Short and sweet. You’ll descend through a fern gully full of tree ferns and moss before reaching the Erskine Falls Lookout at the base.
- Shaded most of the way
- Slippery steps after heavy rain
- Great photography (bring a wide-angle lens)
- Old Kalmina Tramline remnants and Canyon Walk detours
Time: 3–4 hours (one way)
Best For: Experienced walkers who love the rainforest
Lemonade Creek Track (6.5km One Way)
The River Walk
If you only have time for one long rainforest walk in this region, make it the Erskine River Track. It’s got everything that’s great about the Great Otway National Park — shady gullies, cascading streams, tall eucalypts and that constant soundtrack of water over rock.
You’ll wander through fern gullies, cross slippery logs and follow the river all the way to the Erskine Falls Access Road. Wild, immersive and awesome.
Section | Distance | Terrain | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Lorne (Strand Café) → Straw Falls | 2 km | Gravel & roots | 45 min |
Straw Falls → Phantom Falls | 2.5 km | Rocky inclines | 1 hr |
Phantom Falls → Erskine Falls base | 3 km | River crossings & uneven ground | 1.5 hr |
Total | 7.5 km one way | Moderate/Challenging | ~3 hrs |
If you’re solo, tell someone your plan — phone reception drops out fast once you’re in the valley. Carry water, snacks and a dry pair of socks. The track often gets slippery with moss and leaf litter.
Best Time to Visit Fall
The Otways are one of the only Victorian regions where there’s no bad time — just different personalities. Still, each has its quirks:
- Winter (June–August): Great flow but expect drizzle, fog and cold hands. Good for photographers chasing mood.
- Spring (September–November): Lush ferns, wildflowers and plenty of birdlife — arguably the most comfortable walking conditions.
- Summer (December–February): Easier access, longer days, but reduced water flow. Good for families.
- Autumn (March–May): Crisp mornings, rich colours, steady water levels. My favourite.
Lorne’s average rainfall is around 1,200 mm per year, most of it between May and October.
Bring a waterproof layer even if the sky looks clear — Otway weather can change faster than you can say “did you pack the raincoat?”
Facilities And Safety Tips
At The Erskine Falls Car Park:
- Toilets (drop type)
- Picnic tables
- Car and campervan parking
- Trail signage and distance markers
Safety Tips:
- Stay behind railings on viewing platforms — wet rocks are slippery.
- No swimming — the plunge pool is deep and cold.
- Check the weather before driving up Erskine Falls Road — fog and fallen branches after storms.
- Bring water — no water refill points at the site.
- Wildlife: Never feed native animals.
Bushfire Season: From December to March, always check the VicEmergency app before heading out.
Nearby Attractions And Local Eats
The Great Ocean Road Region is chock full of day trip options and local eats. After you’ve done the falls, make time for:
- Sheoak Falls: Short coastal waterfall trail near North Lorne Beach.
- Henderson Falls and Phantom Falls: Inland rainforest walks from Allenvale Mill Campground.
- Cora Lynn Cascades: Short walk through dense tree-fern gullies.
- Maits Rest Carpark: Entry point to one of the Otways’ most popular rainforest walks.
- Aire River West Campground or Aire East Campground: Overnight under the stars.
- Kia Ora Caravan Park in Lorne for powered sites.
Eats
- Ipsos Restaurant – coastal Mediterranean
- The Bottle Of Milk – post-hike burgers
- Lorne Hotel Rooftop – sunset spot overlooking Lorne Beach
Tales From The Track
Quick Travel Checklist
- Before heading out, tick these off:
- Offline maps or a print trail guide
- Hiking shoes with grip
- Rain jacket (Otway showers sneak up fast)
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera and wide-angle lens
- Snacks and a thermos
- Respect for Country — you’re walking on Eastern Maar land
Optional: Stay overnight at a local caravan park or Picnic Area — perfect if you’re connecting the Great Ocean Walk or exploring nearby Cora Lynn Cascades and Kalimna Falls.