Beauchamp Falls are a well known beauty of the Great Otways. Tucked away about 41kms inland from Apollo Bay, Beauchamp Falls tumble about 20 meters. The water gushes over a lush fern cliff and into the Deppeler Creek below.
I was very excited to visit Beauchamp Falls. They’d been a bucket-list item for quite some time. I began my journey from an Airbnb in Skenes Creek; an extremely windy 45 minute journey along Turtons Track. After bumping along on unsealed roads in the Beech forest, I made it.
I didn’t realise Beauchamp Falls allowed camping until I arrived. I thought that was pretty cool. The camping clearing is at the end of Beauchamp Falls Road. Click here for information on camping here. (Though I disagree with their distance and time for the waterfall).
The track for Beauchamp Falls begins to the left of the carpark.
Take the time to read the walk’s information sign at the beginning.
I always love looking out for the unique wildlife. Sadly, I never seem to see them. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there!
The walk begins as a gradual descent. The path is flat and easy at this point. I didn’t need the below sign to tell me to take my time. With such beautiful surroundings, it’s natural to take it slow.
For example, the ferns foliage provide a beautiful composition.
I also love looking up when on a hike. Often it’s easy to forget. But the trees stretch into the sky, beautiful and out of reach.
X marks the spot. I assume this is to indicate you’re heading in the right direction.
However, since Beauchamp Falls are quite touristy, they are well sign posted.
But that doesn’t mean it’s 100% safe. Nature is powerful and trees can collapse at any time. The below photo is a tame example, but a good reminder to take care.
I also love to indulge in the rich history of these places. Imagine being the first people to discover a place like this.
More amazing products of nature…
Soon the track will begin to follow the river-bank.
Everything was very wet and tropical during my visit. September is a great time, since it’s no longer winter. However it’s still wet enough to experience an impressive flow of the falls.
The flat, stoney gravel track to Beauchamp Falls was easy to walk on. I did the walk in my Hunter gumboots, but it could easily be done in sandshoes.
I then reached a small bridge. It was covered in metal mesh to prevent slipping, so I crossed with ease.
Here the track continues as a boardwalk.
It then heads up some stairs.
And evens out along another boardwalk.
One last walk through the towering ferns…
Then the real descent begins.
A whopping staircase winds it’s way down towards the river.
After the seemingly endless descent, a quick few upwards staircases lead you to the viewing platform.
I had finally made it! I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and achievement. It happens when you’ve bucket-listed something for as long as I had Beauchamp Falls.
Though there’s no access to their base, the platform provides a great view.
It just wasn’t great enough for me. I headed back down the last few staircases to the point where they began. Here, there was a muddy path leading down to the river.
I ducked under the metal railing and slid slowly towards the bank. It was obvious I wasn’t the first photographer to do this. I feel somewhat ethically torn when it comes to this. A lack of access to the base of Beauchamp Falls is there to preserve it. To prevent erosion and human devastation. But won’t nature do it’s thing regardless? One day these falls won’t exist to admire, so we have to take the opportunities while we can.
That being said, I took extreme care when walking around the bank. I don’t want my presence to impact the beauty of this place.
I waded carefully into the river for this shot. I remember the cold water gushing into my gumboots as if it were yesterday. I stood, the spray from the falls whisking into my face. All the while I was praying that my camera didn’t fall off the tripod and plunge into the water. But it didn’t.
Beauchamp Falls inspired me. They altered something in me. All waterfalls are beautiful to me, but some just have an extra bit of magic.
It’s the feeling of zazz, of overwhelming joy, that I seek when visiting waterfalls. And Beauchamp provided the goods.
It wasn’t all sunshines and rainbows, though. The looming ascent was still ahead of me. Safe to say I was gasping for air once I returned to the car. But after a short recovery, I was headed to Hopetoun Falls – click here to head there with me!
Quick Facts
| Last visit | September 2017 |
| Best Time | June-September (but flow year-round) |
| Start / Finish | Beauchamp Falls Rd Camping Area/Carpark |
| Unsealed Roads | Yes, average condition but could be managed in a 2WD |
| Walking distance | 2.5km return |
| Time | 1.5hrs return |
| Difficulty | Moderate, short steep hills on way up |
| Facilities | Camping available, Drop Toilets |
| Lat & Long | 38.6469° S, 143.6119° E |
| Nearby | Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls, Little Aire Falls |
| Watercourse | Deppeler Creek |
Your photos are so beautiful and make me want to go to Australia so I can check out all these awesome spots! I didn’t even know places like this existed in Australia until I started following your photos because it’s represented as mostly desert and massive spiders in the US. I can’t wait to visit someday!
Aw thank you so much! I’m so glad it opens up more about Australia than meets the eye haha. Definitely bucket list it!
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[…] to Skenes Creek where I had booked an Airbnb for two more nights. This is because I wanted to visit Beauchamp Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Triplet Falls and Little Aires Falls in the Great Otway National Park. Skenes […]