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NSW - Blue Mountains - 6 Ft Track

NSW - Blue Mountains - Wentworth Falls

NSW - Kosciuszko NP - Main Range Circuit from Guthega

NZ - South Island - Hollyford Track

NZ - South Island - Kepler Track

NZ - South Island - Milford Track

NZ - South Island - Routeburn Track

QLD - Lamington NP - Albert River Circuit

QLD - Lamington NP - Lower Bellbird Circuit

QLD - Springbrook NP - The Canyon

QLD - Springbrook NP - Natural Bridge

QLD - Springbrook NP - Purling Brook

TAS - Dove Lake

TAS - Freycinet Peninsular - Bay of Fires

TAS - Overland Track

USA - Bryce Canyon -

USA - Columbia River Gorge -

USA - Lake Tahoe - Glen Alpine Springs Trk

USA - Page - Horseshoe Bend

USA - Page - Upper Antelope Canyon

USA - Page - Rattlesnake Canyon

USA - Seattle - Rattlesnake Ledge

USA - Seattle - Snoqualmie Falls

USA - Seattle - Snow Lake

USA - Seattle - Twin Falls

USA - Redwoods - Big Tree Walk

USA - Redwoods - Cathedral Tree Trk

USA - Zion Canyon - Lower Emerald Pook Walk

USA - Zion Canyon - Riverside Walk

VIC - AAWT - Mushroom Rocks carpark to Walhalla

VIC - Alpine NP - Bryce Gorge Track

VIC - Alpine NP - Crosscut Saw to Mt. Speculation

VIC - Alpine NP - Howitt Track

VIC - Alpine NP - Lake Tali Karng / Wellington Traverse

VIC - Alpine NP - Moroka Gorge

VIC - Alpine NP - Mt Bogong

VIC - Alpine NP - Mt Feathertop

VIC - Alpine NP - Wellington River campsites.

VIC - Bacchus Marsh - Lerderderg Gorge

VIC - Baw Baw NP - Toorongo Falls

VIC - Frankston - Mt Eliza Coast

VIC - Geelong - Barwon River Walk

VIC - Grampians NP - Hollow Mountain Track

VIC - Grampians NP - Mt Abrupt

VIC - Grampians NP - Mt William

VIC - Grampians NP - North Walk (Jawbone)

VIC - Grampians NP - Teapots

VIC - Grampians NP - Wonderland Walk

VIC - Healsville - Badger Creek weir

VIC - Lake Mountain - Lake Mountain Track

VIC - Lysterfield - Lysterfield Park

VIC - Marysville - Steavenson Falls (Post Black Saturday)

VIC - Marysville - Steavenson Falls (Pre Black Saturday)

VIC - Marysville - The Beeches Walk

VIC - Mt. Buffalo NP - Back Wall

VIC - Mt Buffalo NP - Rocky Creek Trk

VIC - Mt Buffalo NP - The Horn

VIC - Mt Buffalo NP - Underground River Trk

VIC - Mornington Peninsular - Rye To Sorrento Coastal Walk

VIC - Mornington Peninsular - Two Bays Walk

VIC - Portland - Cape Bridgewater Seal Colony Walk

VIC - Tarra Bulga NP - Tarra Valley Loop

VIC - Toolangi - Tanglefoot Track

VIC - Otway NP - Allambee Beek Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Beauchamp Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Currawong Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Galliebarinda Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Kalimna Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Lake Elizabeth Trk

VIC - Otway NP - Sabine Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Staircase Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Stevenson Falls

VIC - Otway NP - Triplet Falls

Galliebarinda Falls - Otway NP - VIC

Walk:  Galliebarinda Falls

Distance/Rated Duration/Type:  Off track Hike 7km / 2 Hr / Return

Map:

Terrain/Rating:  Easy undulating walk down along 4wd track then, immediately after passing creek crossing head left along river bank to the falls. Easy walk.

Start / Finish Time:  1:00pm / 3:00pm

Start / Finish Location:  Curtis Rd off Mt. Sabine Rd.

Trip Summary:
Park at the gate unless you have a capable 4wd as Curtis Rd can be a rutted muddy mess.
Walk for about 3km along the track then after a few sharp corners your will cross thru Cumberland River (at the time nothing more than a creek).
On the opposite side of Cumberland River head left along its bank for 15 or so minutes before reaching the falls.
Retrace your steps to return.

How to get there:
From Lorne drive up Erskine Falls Rd to the end. Turn left along Mt Sabines Rd for 20 minutes until you reach Curtis Rd on your left, (sharp hairpin, easily missed).
No toilets here at all, closest toilets are probably at Erskine Falls.

Trip Detail:
This trip is to another one of the lesser known falls in the Otway National Park. The track is very easy to follow, mostly along the Curtis Track dirt road and then along the banks of the Cumberland River.
There is a small clearing on Curtis Track next to Cumberland River which could be camped at overnight (hiking tent size), although you are right next to the track.    (Click on images to enlarge)

Curtis Rd & Mt Sabine Rd.

You could drive 5-10 minutes down the road if conditions allow, which would take most of the time out of the hike. Otherwise walk along the 4wd track for about 45 mins.

We will pass the Alambee Falls hike clearing on the right when Curtis Rd starts to divert left. 

Track clearing on Curtis Rd.

Continue on for a few corners and you will reach Cumberland River, which during this hike was nothing more than a creek crossing.

As mentioned there is a small clearing here that you could camp at.

  

The track to the falls is on the far side, heading left.  The walk to the track travels along the river bank for about 15 minutes before reaching Galliebarinda Falls.  According to the map this track continues on to other falls.  I couldn't see an obvious track at the time but didn't really spend much time to look.

Once finished, retrace your steps back to Mt Sabine Rd.  

As seen on the map there are a number of other waterfalls in this area which could be done with this walk.

Some tracks are not obvious from driving by, so an accurate topo map is recommended.

Staircase & Allambee Beek Falls - Otway NP - VIC

Walk:
Staircase and Allambee Beek Falls

Allambee Beek Falls

Distance/Rated Duration/Type:
Off track Hike 7km / 2-3 Hr / Return

Map:

Terrain/Rating:
Easy undulating walk along 4wd track then off track walk down to first falls, along creek valley to 2nd falls then back up to 4wd track.
This hike has a mix of the usual otway bushland and lush fern rainforest along the river valley.
An Easy to  Medium walk requiring some navigational skills.

Start / Finish Time:
9:00am / 12:00pm

Start / Finish Location:
Intersection of Curtis Rd and Mt. Sabine Rd.

Trip Summary: 
Curtis Rd I believe is a seasonally closed road and can also be a rutted muddy mess about 1km in.
If you start from the intersection/gate, you will need to walk for about 2km along Curtis Rd then the divert right into the bush. There are pink ribbons marking the way through the forest.
The walk is a triangle, falls 1, scale the creek to falls 2, then back to the track.

How to get there:
From Lorne drive up Erskine Falls Rd to the end. Turn left along Mt Sabines Rd for 20 minutes until you get to Curtis Rd on the left, (sharp hairpin, easily missed).  There are No toilets here.

Trip Detail:
This trip is to two of the lesser known falls in the Otway National Park. They are both off track so you should take a detailed topo map and have some navigation skills be it by either compass or GPS to find the falls.
As mentioned Curtis Rd can be unsuitable for a non-4WD, so I started this walk from Mt Sabine Rd.
Please note this walk could be quite dangerous if there has been recent rainfall.  This hike was done with very little prior rainfall, so access was quite easy.
(Click on images to enlarge)

Curtis Rd & Mt Sabine Rd.

Whether you drive or walk, you need to stop where Curtis Rd takes a 90 degree left turn.

So either a 2 minute drive...

Curtis Rd area to park.

or walk along the 4wd track for about 30 mins.

Curtis Rd.

We reach a small non-descript clearing on the right where Curtis Rd diverts 90 degrees left.

This is where we head off into the forest.

Track clearing on Curtis Rd.

 There are 3 "tracks" in here, one heads towards Black Velvet Falls, one goes to Allambee Beek Falls and the track we take is the one that goes to Staircase Falls. You'll notice trees marked with pink tape once you walk into the forest. To go to Staircase Falls we take the right most track, which is in a SSW to SW direction.

Staircase Falls track.

The direction we take is pretty well marked with trees tagged with pink and yellow tape usually within view of each other.  You'll pretty much make your own path as it's likely to be overgrown.

After about 20 minutes of steadily heading down into the bush you'll hear the waterfall and reach a fern lined creek.  If you've come down in the right area the waterfall should sound to your right.

Staircase Falls creek track.

Following the pink ribbons it's a matter of making your own way down onto the creek bed.

Head right along the creek bank for a few minutes to reach Staircase Falls. 
The Falls are situated in a nice small canyon surrounded by tree ferns.

Staircase Falls.

 Even though its the end of the summer season here, there was a bit of water coming down the falls.

  

Staircase Falls.

 After the falls we turn back along the creek bypassing our entry track and within 5 mins cross over Cumberland River to the other river bank. 

These surrounding areas are basically the source of the Cumberland River.

Cumberland River.

 The track then climbs slightly uphill parallel to the river for a few minutes and T intersections with Ricketts Track (this should appear on the right and leads up to Wye River Rd).

We turn left and head back downhill to Cumberland River. 

Track to Allambee Beek Falls.

 Getting closer to the river the track diverts left along the river bank before reaching Allambee Beek Falls.

Allambee Beek Falls.

 Theres more space here than Staircase Falls with some boulders to take a rest on/food break next to the falls.

We then head further along Cumberland River for 5 minutes, cross over and then look for an exit point left of the river to head back up to Curtis Rd.  There may be pink ribbon markers here to follow, but if you head left uphill and stay straight sooner or later you will reach Curtis Rd.

Cumberland River

Walking back uphill to find Curtis Rd from here is the trickiest part of the hike. Unless you have a GPS, then best advice is to retrace your steps.  After about 30 minutes of track finding up through the forest you will be back at the original entry point with Curtis Rd.  The times I give for this are pretty conservative as I was doing a bit of re-taping of trees where needed.  

Once you are back on Curtis Rd, you can either finish the hike and head back to Mt Sabine Rd or continue on down along Curtis Rd to do the Galliebarinda Falls hike.

It is a 30 min walk further on along Curtis Rd. 
The Galliebarinda Falls track is located where the Cumberland River crosses the road.
The river here is normally just a small creek.
There is a small clearing here on the right that could be used for an overnight camp.

A track on the other side of the river on the left leads to Galliebarinda Falls. (~60 min return walk) 

Galliebarinda Falls hike

Beauchamp Falls - Otway NP - VIC

Walk:  Beauchamp Falls

Distance/Rated Duration/Type:  Hike 3km / 1 Hr / Return

Terrain/Rating:  Steady walk down through forest to viewing platform. Short distance but moderate walk back up.

Start / Finish Time:  12:00pm / 1:00pm

Start / Finish Location:  Beauchamp Falls Car Park / Picnic / Camping Area.

Trip Summary: 
From the Picnic area a  steady walk crossing a creek to the falls viewing platform. You can get to the bottom of the falls just prior to the end of the viewing platform.

How to get there:
Head west on Turtons Track for 30 minutes from Apollo Bay-Forrest Rd.  Turn left onto Binnis Rd for a few hundred metres and turn left again following the signs.  Takes about 5 minutes to get to the Beauchamp Falls carpark. There is a pit toilet here, and a couple of picnic tables in the open area. This is also an official free camping area.

Trip Detail:



 

 

At the time of the walk we were greeted by a track closed sign and bright fluro orange plastic fencing blocking the track.  These signs are usually put up because there is some uprooted tree or broken bridge and is pretty much to legally cover arses incase someone trips over so we continued on our way.

The majority of the track is dirt, with a nice wide track downhill for the first third.
It then narrows and follows a stream for a few minutes.

We soon end up at the reason for the track closed sign.  The bridge crossing over the creek has been completely knocked off its footings and is leaning on its side. Theres been quite a few major storms down this way over the years and this is the usual result after a flash flooding of usually small creeks.

Another 5 minutes on you reach some stairs that work their way down to the lookout platform.

You get a nice raised view of the falls from here.

If you head back along the platform and  you'll notice a few steps carved into the rocks of the river bank which was once the original path to the falls along the bank.
From down here you get some great water level views of the falls.

As expected it takes a little longer to work you way back up the hill to the carpark.

Toorongo Falls - Baw Baw NP - VIC

Walk:  Toorongo Falls loop.

Distance/Type:   2.2km / Round Trip

Terrain/Rating: Slight incline along the Toorongo River for 30 mins to the first falls then works its way back down via track loop. Easy.

Start / Finish Time:  3pm  / 4pm (Conservative Times)

Start / Finish Location:  Tooronga Falls carpark.

Trip Summary: 
This would be a nice walk to take the family. About 1 to 1.5 hour loop walk with 2 waterfalls and a nice river saddling the tracks for most of it. There are quite a lot of areas where you can walk to the waters edge and I was lucky enough to encounter some wildlife and nice berries on this trip. The only hassle is its quite a drive to get there being about 30 mins short of the Mt Baw Baw summit along the Mt. Baw Baw tourist road.  Theres a 15 minute drive up the Tooronga Valley dirt road that leads you past a free camping area (seems to be be popular with dirtbikes) before reaching the Tooronga Falls carpark. 

Trip Details:
From the carpark head up the main track to the right of the toilet block.

The track follows the Toorongo River for a few hundred metres before you reach a bridge that crosses over it.
.

50 meters after the bridge you come to the track loop intersection sign with Toorongo Falls to the right and the direct walk to Ampitheatre Falls to the left. 

The sign directs everyone to do a counter-clockwise walk around the loop to take in both falls.

The track continues to follow the river along a beautiful fern gullied path.

Luckily on my trip I came across a lyrebird that was chirping away with a cacophony of sounds.
To listen to some of the sounds from this amazing bird go here.

After another few hundred metres as you get closer to the waterfall, moss laden boulders start to line the path.

 

At about 30 minutes into the walk you reach the Toorongo Falls and its viewing platform.

Toorongo Falls viewing platform.

There was a lot of water in these falls which I thought was surprising seeing as we had not had any significant rain for a few months and it was the middle of summer.

Toorongo Falls.

From here you continue along the other track that takes about 10 mins to get to the Ampitheatre Falls.

Ampitheatre Falls.

There is a metal caged lookout that hangs out over the river in front of the falls.

Ampitheatre Falls viewing platform.

Ampitheatre Falls.

From here the track follows the river and heads back down to join up at the other leg at the loop intersection after another 15 mins or so. Retrace your steps to the carpark or head along the vehicle track directly straight off the bridge.  There is a picnic area at the carpark off this track which has nice views of the area.

Toorongo Falls picnic area.

The toilet block at the carpark has flush toilets. The toilet block at the camping area 500m up the road looked most likely to be pit type.



Toorongo Falls camping area.

 

Please leave a comment below :)

 

 



Currawong Falls - Otway NP - VIC

Walk:  Currawong Falls

Distance/Rated Duration/Type:  Hike 12km / 3.5 Hrs / Loop

Terrain/Rating:  Steady walk up through forest past the waterfall. Short distance but moderate walk back up.

Start / Finish Time:  9:00am  / 12:30am

Start / Finish Location:  Distillery Creek  Picnic Area, Aireys Inlet

Trip Summary: 
From the Lower Picnic area a  steady slightly uphill walk crossing a dirt track and creek before passing by the side of the falls  Continuing on past the falls the track loops down through a swamp and back towards the carpark.. There is no way of getting to the bottom of these falls from the track.

How to get there:
Take Bambra Road from Aireys Inlet for 10 minutes and turn left at the Distillery Creek Picnic Area sign. A few hundred meters up the dirt road turn right into the lower carpark.  The walking track starts at the end of the carpark. There are toilets in the other carpark on the other side of the road. There are a couple of picnic tables at both carparks.

 

Trip Detail:

Entrance to lower carpark.





From the carpark head to the end of the road to start the walk. 



Theres a small pond and a few picnic tables here.

Heading up along the track you get some nice view of the Aireys Inlet coastline.

About 1 hour into the hike you cross Love track and the track reaches its highest and most open point.

From here you have views of the surrounding forest before heading down into more lush forest and the falls. Due to the dry summer there was no water at all in the falls.

The track follows the creek for a while before heading through a lush fern gully and then the Melaleuca Swamp.

The track then loops to the right and parallels the No2 road back towards the Picnic Area.

 

 

With some luck you might view some of the wildlife in the area.  But hopefully not one of these guys.

 

No 2 track.

Overall a nice easy hike not really worth the drive unless its in addition to other hikes in the area.

Would work as a side trip to the Moggs Creek, Aireys Inlet, Bambra Road loop walk.