Bushwalking around Forrest and the Otway Ranges
The Otway Ranges provide a wealth of walking trails and hikes, catering to a range of abilities. From short walks on accessible trails to day hikes for the more adventurous, there's a bushwalk near Forrest to suit you.
Pink: Car parking spot, Blue: Waterfall Walks, Green: Bushwalks
Bushwalks and Waterfalls within 20 mins of Forrest
Stevensons Falls
Stevenson’s Falls Rain or shine, visiting Stevensons Falls is a great walk. In summer, enjoy the cool of the shade as you walk and watch a smaller flow over the falls. Take off your shoes and dip your feet in the river to cool off. In the cooler months, take a raincoat and witness the … Read more
Sabine Falls
Sabine Falls A 20 min drive from the Forrest Guesthouse will have you at the Sabine Falls picnic ground. From there, it’s a 6km return walk. At a fairly fast pace for a fit person, it can be completed in about 1:15 but if you’re likely to be tentative going down slippery steps, or need … Read more
Lake Elizabeth
Lake Elizabeth Lake Elizabeth was formed by a landslide in 1952 after heavy rainfall which effectively created a dam. It is also home to one of Australia’s most unusual animals, the platypus. To watch an interview with one of the people who discovered the new lake, check out our interview with John Hoult. From the … Read more
Fern Gully Walk
Fern Gully Walk For a gentle but stunning walk on a well-maintained trail why not head to Fern Gully? The gully walk itself is only about 600m and starts a little way down the road heading into the West Barwon Reservoir. It is listed as a hiking trail on Trailforks which can be viewed here. … Read more
Bushwalks and Waterfalls near Beech Forest
Little Aire Falls
Little Aire Falls Little Aire Falls is a 6km return walk which leaves from the same carpark as Triplet Falls. This is a fairly challenging walk due to the many steps (approx 360) as well as a lot of steeper sections. The trail leaves from the carpark and begins out as the same path for … Read more
Triplet Falls
Triplet Falls Triplet Falls is a set of cascades, tucked away in lush rainforest near Beech Forest. The walk is 2.6km return and follows a loop. It can be completed in around 1 hour. We completed it with a 5yo and 9 yo in 1 hour 15 mins, including stops for photos. You start out … Read more
Beauchamp Falls
Beauchamp Falls Beauchamp Falls are located 37.5km from Forrest in Beech Forest. It takes just under an hour via Turtons Track but it’s a gorgeous drive. Turtons Track is very windy and restricted to 40kmph due to the lack of vision around corners and the road is not wide. If you get travel sick, you … Read more
Beech Forest Day Trip
Beech Forest Day Trip Beech Forest is a region located just an under an hour from the Forrest township. We suggest a day trip which combines a visit to Beauchamp Falls in the morning, a picnic at the Californian Redwoods, followed by Hopetoun Falls in the afternoon. Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls are also … Read more
Californian Redwoods
Californian Redwoods Picnic Ground Planted in 1939, the Californian Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) are a spectacular sight to behold. The sheer height of the canopy above is breathtaking, and in the late afternoon on a sunny day, the light playing through trees is captivating. The drive takes around one hour and is particularly windy. For those … Read more
Hopetoun Falls
Hopetoun Falls, Beech Forest The gorgeous Hopetoun Falls are located 21km from Forrest in Beech Forrest. It takes just under an hour but it’s a beautiful drive. Turtons Track is very windy and restricted to 40km due to the lack of vision around corners and the road is not wide. If you get travel sick, … Read more
Bushwalks and Waterfalls near Lorne
Erskine Falls
Erskine Falls Erskine Falls is located close to Lorne, about a 40min drive from Forrest Guesthouse. The falls are one of the most visited falls in the Otways due to the close proximity to Lorne. Although the walk is often busy with walkers, they are a beautiful set which can be viewed from above after … Read more
Lower Kalimna Falls
Lower Kalimna Falls Lower Kalimna Falls is located close to Lorne, about a 45min drive from Forrest Guesthouse. The falls are unique as the water falls over a large cave into a pool below. Even better is that you can walk around behind the falls themselves for a very different angle than most falls allow! … Read more
Phantom Falls
Phantom Falls Phantom Falls is located inland from Lorne, and it takes approximately 45 mins to drive there from Forrest Guesthouse. The drive is a combination of sealed and unsealed roads. Walking with kids? Please note the “moving time” shown in the gallery photos was a single person who has a strong level of fitness. … Read more
Henderson Falls
Henderson Falls Henderson Falls is a 4.3km return walk from the Sheoak Picnic area. It is relatively flat and only gains about 100m in elevation across the whole walk. If you’re a fast walker you can complete this return trip in about 1 hour, however if you are taking kids with you or are a … Read more
Sheoak Falls
Sheoak Falls & Swallow Cave Sheoak Falls is a relatively easy walk from the carpark location shown on the map below. While there is a little bit of uphill at the start (including steps), you are rewarded with some pretty nice coastal views as a result… waterfall plus ocean views on the way? Amazing! We … Read more
The Canyon
The Canyon The Canyon is a surprising and lush section of the Henderson Track and is worth visiting in its own right. It can be reached by continuing on from Phantom Falls after starting from the Allenvale carpark. It is also possible to include it in a larger loop with Henderson Falls, and start from … Read more
Straw Falls
Straw Falls Straw Falls is a kind of “bonus” waterfall if you are visiting Erskine Falls. I say bonus because you probably wouldn’t ever go there as its own destination given the proximity to Erskine Falls, which is a much grander set of falls. The amount of water coming over Straw Falls can also vary … Read more
Cora Lynn Cascades
Cora Lynn Cascades The Cora Lynn Cascades are found in the top section of the Cora Lynn Cascades walk. If you just want to see the cascades, they are 2.1km one way from the Blanket Leaf Picnic Area and will take 1.5-2 hours return. It is downhill to the cascades, and all uphill on the … Read more
Walks near the Great Ocean Road
Carisbrook Falls
Carisbrook Falls A waterfall that is accessible from the Great Ocean Road is Carisbrook Falls. The walk to the falls is only about 300m from the carpark. It is a gentle uphill walk to a viewing platform that looks over the falls from the other side of a gully. There is no path access to … Read more