Monday 24th - Friday 28th February 2025
Leaders: Phil and Gill
Participants: JP and Trish, Graham, Tony, Colin, Uwe, Rob (visitor)
Monday 24th of February, Day 1
We met at Forrest around noon then made our way to Stevenson’s Fall Camping Ground. The area had been upgraded and was well set out with 44 designated camping spots, plenty of firepits (byo wood) and 2 drop toilet blocks.
Everyone had a leisurely set up and lunch break. About 2.30 we all set off for a pleasant walk (4.6km return) to Stevenson’s Falls. Walking on a well-defined track we reached a car park and then it was a short 650 m walk along a gentle track to reach the 15m drop Falls. We walked through a stand of very tall Redwood cypress trees that were planted back in 1930’s. We heard the tumbling water from the three main water heads toppling into the plunge pool well before we saw the Falls.
Several intrepid photographers in our group went rock scrambling to get the ‘perfect’ spot for a wonderful photograph. We weren’t in a hurry to leave the Falls as it was a beautiful warm afternoon. Eventually we wondered back to camp.
Colin arrived about 4.45pm, just in time for Happy Hour around the fire. After dinner we regrouped around the fire but as the coals cooled and the air temperature dropped everyone drifted off to their beds.
Text & photos by Gill
Tuesday 25th of February, Day 2
Following Phil’s trip briefing and pre-apologies for expected wrong turns, track closures etc. we set off shortly after 09:00.
We headed to Forrest where we turned east off the main road and on to Kaanglang Road, then onto Mt Sabine road to Mt Cowley fire/telecom tower where we had morning tea. We noted the 10 padlocks attached to perimeter fence gate around the tower. The tower was impressively tall with the fire watch room (fully enclosed) about halfway up.
Following morning tea we headed along the Lorne Erskine Road to Erskine Falls. Most of us decided to take the somewhat challenging path/stairway down to the base of the falls. The falls were flowing but not at a high rate. The climb back up was testing for our senior bodies but we all made it OK.
We the travelled to Lorne where we had lunch overlooking the ocean at the Lorne Surf lifesaving Club carpark. Uwe met up with us there to join in with the rest of the trip.
Following lunch, we cruised along the Great Ocean Road to Wye River with the intention of going onto the Wye River Track. Unfortunately, after completing a couple of laps of the homes perched up on the cliffs above Wye River we discovered that the Wye River Track was closed.
We then changed plan and headed further down the Great Ocean Road to Kennett River where we turned onto Grey River Road, then Sunnyside Road to Sabine Falls picnic ground. The walk to the falls was 2 ½ hours return so we decided to give it the miss this time around.
We then followed Sunnyside Road to Apollo Bay Road and then back to camp at Stevenson’s Falls camp ground arriving back around 3:15pm.
Text by Colin
Wednesday 26th of February, Day 3
After a cold night (12 deg in our van) we left camp a bit after 9.00am to continue our exploration of the Otways. However, the weather improved rapidly and we had a lovely sunny and warm day. There was a slight delay in our departure as one member was very noble and aided two damsels in distress who had a flat tyre!
On leaving camp we took Roadnight Creek Road which eventually passed the Dandos Creek Free Campgound. We drove in for a looksee, and a very nice camping area with quite a few campers there. We then continued on to Lardners Track, which was a very good dirt road, winding amongst lovely green fern forest and plantations.
After morning tea at Beech Forest, we made our way to Triplet Falls. Most of the group walked to the Falls, although not much water cascading. The walk (quite steep with many steps) was 2 kms return which took approx. 50 mins. Along the way we found the relics of the old boiler of the timber mill that was used to run the mills for the saws.
From there we followed Aires Crossing Picnic area, which turned out to be a very small campground – the only facility a long drop. After lunch our plans to cross the Aires Creek thwarted, as the road closed with one of the many bolted gates that we came across in the area.
We were obliged to retrace our steps back to Beech Forest and the café, where coffee and ice-creams were top of the menu. Back to camp via Sayers Track and a stop to collect some firewood, and then Bridge Road.
Our trip leaders managed to spot 7 black wallabies throughout the day, however these were not seen by any of the rest of the convoy. We arrived at camp around 3.00pm, after a lovely day out in the forest, the round trip being 94 kms.
Text & photos: PW & JPW
Thursday 27th of February, Day 4
We awoke to wet tents and campground due to overnight drizzly rain. We headed off for our final day on the tracks optimistic of finding less locked gates. Exiting the campground we saw 3 wallabies grazing on the lush grass.
We drove 30 mins to Lake Elizabeth which was formed 50 years ago by a natural land slip. Trunks of dead trees drowned when the valley flooded punctuated the still reflective water. We had plenty of time to tackle the 4 km shoreline walk through tall tree ferns and eucalyptus trees.
A refreshing drink was enjoyed in the car park at the end of the walk. We checked out the camping facilities at Lake Elizabeth but all agreed our current camping spot was better.
Travelling along Kaanglang Road and Mt Sabine Road we were searching for open gates onto tracks yet again. A short drive along Thompson Track led to Hayden Track which looked promising. Very quickly we were pinstriping our cars, driving through decent puddles and even removing a tree off the track. Success!
At the top of the range we came to Goats Track which sounded promising. We parked in the shade adjacent to many lovely bushy grass trees for lunch. Then we set off…. Goats Track was aptly named. It was a very steep decent down to a small camping area, then over a narrow bridge before a steep climb out of the valley.
At the end of Goats Track we returned to the gravel road the led back to Forrest. Tony departed the trip at this point while the rest of the group headed to Forrest to sample some beers at the Brewery. Alas, the Brewery wasn’t open on a Thursday so we headed back to camp for an early Happy Hour then communal dinner around the fire. The trip was officially closed to allow people to pack up and head off at their own pace on Friday.
Text by Gill