This Waterfall Itinerary for Another Day in Lorne will suit well if staying in Lorne. It is the perfect follow-on from my first Waterfall Itinerary, which you can find here.
Before beginning this day trip, you should pack sufficient snacks, something for lunch, and plenty of water.
Step 1: Drive to Allenvale Mill Carpark
The Allenvale Mill Carpark, as it is described in some material, is actually marked on Google Maps as the Allenvale Road Carpark. Allenvale Mill Bush Campground is further on from here. It is 6 minutes from Lorne’s town center. The road is unsealed and bumpy, but doable in a 2WD. However, if you are hiring a car, insurance will not cover you on unsealed roads. Just a pre-warning.
The track to Phantom Falls begins further down Allenvale Road after the Allenvale Mill Carpark. It veers off to the right, and winds its way through the forest. It then cuts across private property – an orchard. Take extra care on these premises and follow the signs.
After passing paddocks with horses and kangaroos, the track heads up an extremely steep gravel hill before levelling out and leading to a staircase down to the falls. The 3.5km return is well worth it for the gushing crystal-blue water on display. Allowing 1.5hrs for this trek is sufficient.
Step 2: Drive to Sheoak Falls Picnic Area (Lower Carpark)
Despite being called Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, Sheoak Falls are actually the furthest waterfall from here (7km return). The carpark is better used for accessing Won Wondah Falls, Henderson Falls, Upper Kalimna Falls and Lower Kalimna Falls.
The road to get to the Sheoak Falls Picnic Area (named the Garvey Track) is unsealed with lots of potholes. However, it is doable in a 2WD.
Won Wondah Falls are a mere pit-stop on the way to Henderson Falls. There is NO ACCESS to their base. Nevertheless, they are on the way, so it’s worth the quick deviation.
To get to them, head across the picnic area of the Sheoak Falls Carpark and follow the track for 30 minutes (1km).
Click here for more information on finding Won Wondah Falls.
After Won Wondah Falls, the track continues to Henderson Falls. It is another 800 meters or so along. The track here can get extremely muddy, so I would recommend something like my Hunter gumboots.
Once at the falls, you can walk right up to their base. It is extremely beautiful. Consider allowing another hour to get to Henderson Falls and back to the carpark.
If it wasn’t clear, total hiking distance to Won Wondah and Henderson is 3.6km return, allowing 1.5hrs
Step 3: Head back to the Sheoak Falls Carpark for Lunch
So far, you’ve completed 7.1km of hiking, though none of it particularly strenuous. It’s a good time to take a break and eat lunch at the picnic area. (I ate a delicious salami and cheese sandwhich I’d made at my hotel room before I left for the day).
Recharged, it’s time for the next stop.
The track to Lower Kalimna Falls begins from behind the Sheoak Falls Picnic Area Carpark (as opposed to the tracks ahead of it, where you were before).
It is a 6.5km return to Lower Kalimna Falls (8.5km if you also go to Upper Kalimna Falls – next on the list) but I promise you, it’s worth it. Don’t let the k’s scare you off. The extremely muddy track takes about 2.5hrs return (3.5hrs if Upper Kalimna too). However, it is relatively straight and flat. It leads you to a beautiful, lush pool where the falls have a cave behind them.
Click here for more information, tips & tricks to finding Lower Kalimna Falls.
As mentioned, Upper Kalimna Falls are on the same track to Lower Kalimna Falls. They are only 1km further along, so you may as well pay them a visit. It simply makes the return trek 4.25kms instead of 3.25kms. Allow a total of 3.5hrs if visiting Upper Kalimna Falls from the picnic area.
Click here for more information on finding Upper Kalimna Falls.
Step 4: Back to Hotel or Head to Skenes Creek/Apollo Bay
Congratulations! You’ve done 15.6kms of hiking on this day trip, and visited 5 fantastic waterfalls.
When I did this day trip, I then headed 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 Creek is only a 55 minute drive from Lorne, while Apollo Bay just over 1hr. Shop around for the best accomodation deals on:
If this is something that interests you, stay tuned for my Waterfall Itinerary for a Day in Great Otway National Park!
Quick Facts
Total Hiking Distance | 15.6kms |
Total Driving Distance (if already in Lorne) | 50.2kms if to Skenes Creek after. Otherwise 8.5kms |
Total Driving Time (if already in Lorne) | 1hr 12 mins if to Skenes Creek afterwards. Otherwise 21 mins |
Unsealed Roads | Yes |
Average Total Cost for this day (AUD) 1 person | $183 |
Car Hire Cost (small 3 door automatic with 300kms free per day, hired from Advanced Car Rental) | $33 per day |
Fuel Cost (for this day trip) | doable with half a tank – roughly $15-20 |
Accommodation Cost (per night, 1 double room) | $100 |
Food and Drink Cost | $25-30 |
Nearby Towns | Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay |
Other Waterfalls in this Area | Cora Lynn Cascades, Erskine Falls, Straw Falls, Splitter Falls, Sheoak Falls, Swallow Cave Falls, Cumberland Falls |
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