OTWAYS NATIONAL PARK – DEC/JAN 2004
Six day walks, covering 110k using 7 year old track notes of the Geelong Bushwalking Club and the Otways & Shipwreck Coast map. We had a support vehicle (thanks Bob) which was supposed to meet up with us each night so we didn’t have to lug around our overnight gear – luxury! But as it turned out, we ended up taking our own vehicles from campsite to campsite (plans change!).
This area is also known as Waterfall Way because there are so many waterfalls and with an average rainfall of 1800mm, it was some of the finest rain forest in Victoria. The plan was to visit 20 or more of these waterfalls. Eleven of us signed up for the trip that Geoff S had organised. You never know with Geoff what to expect, but you can pretty much guarantee to expect the unexpected!
DAY 1: Congram Falls, Hopetoun Falls and camp in the Aire Valley. We started walking from Ditchely Park and the first 3k was on gravel road (pretty fast pace!), but then we had to drop down into the rainforest and our pace slowed dramatically as we made our way up Aire Congram Creek, moving from one side to the other, trying not to trip over vines and rocks. Congram Falls though was worth the effort, it was at this point that Geoff announced that the “going was slower than expected and we might have to revise our plans”, we were slow but couldn’t be helped given the terrain. Around midday we started climbing up a very steep slope through vines and nettles eventually popping out on the road. After lunch we started heading off with the intention to get to Hopetoun Falls but half the party decided to walk to the Aire River campsite because they were stuffed. The rest of us proceeded along to Hopetoun Falls, battling blackberry all the way, Heather and I took to the river to escape the blackberries but arrived at the campsite after the walk very wet and bedraggled. Aire River campsite was a little crowded and noisy so we revised the plans and went to Beauchamp Falls campground which was also fast filling up.
DAY 2: Beauchamp Falls, Eberwaldt Falls, Blackwood Creek Falls, Lardners Track, Sayers Track and Stevenson’s Falls. Started at 8.30am and a 40m walk down from Aire Valley Bridge brought us to a state forest track eventually ending at Beauchamp Falls – very impressive. Then retraced our steps for 10 minutes and took off into the bush in typical Geoff fashion and followed the Deppeler Creek. Very slow going with lots of fallen trees. Eventually we arrived at Erberwaldt Falls and then went to Blackwood Creek Falls which were very impressive. Again the group split (some had bad knees). Because the going was very slow, Geoff elected to forego the Lardner and Sayers walking tracks and instead we regrouped and went to Stevenson’s falls campsite which no-one found to their liking, too many car campers. We found a quiet spot in amongst pines – not for long though a kid on an off road motor bike cruised around us until 9.30pm – aren’t kids supposed to be in bed by this time?
DAY 3: Barramunga Fork Paddocks Road, No 1 Spur Track, Noonday Track and Lake Elizabeth. Well it didn’t turn out that way, it was another really hot day so we went to Stevenson’s Falls (very touristy). Went back to camp and tried to fix Steve’s car which had suffered a power steering leak. The other car campers (who some had complained about because they were so noisy) were now seen in a new light as mechanics came out of the woodwork, even one with a full set of tools. Car fixed and we were now on our way to another campsite at Alendale, a day ahead of schedule because it was too hot to walk, we did however call into Sabine Falls (beautiful) along the way.
DAY 4: Won Wondah Falls, Henderson Falls, Kalimna Falls (lower), Kalimna Falls (upper), Cumberland Falls, Sheoak Falls and St George River Alenvale. A gruelling 30k trip. We were a very tired group as we struggled into camp around 6.30pm (after an 8.30am start!). And, it was New Year’s eve, only two of the group were fresh enough to see the New Year in!
DAY 5: Cora Lynn Falls, Erskine Falls, Straw Falls and Splitter Falls. The day started off with an easy 7k walk on the Cora Lyn walking track and the falls were more a cascade rather than a waterfall, probably one of the least impressive falls we’d seen. Bit of a road bash now up a steep incline and down the other side to Erskine Falls (really good), we then followed the Erskine River past Straw Falls and Splinter Falls. By this time we’re a bit over the car campers of Victoria and many were keen to get back home.
DAY 6: Margaret Falls, Phantom Falls and Melba Falls. Another hot, humid day, Phantom Falls first which was a trickle (obviously very little rain lately, which we were sort of happy about), the route along Henderson’s track was easy enough but the heat sapped our energy. No-one except Geoff and me wanted to go to see Margaret Falls, the rest opted out, nevertheless Geoff and I went on doggedly, scrambling onto the Falls, which were very impressive.
Most of us took different routes to go home, from my perspective the walking was great, but I guess some had signed onto the trip that maybe shouldn’t have, you can’t be scrambling over rocks and up and down hills with dodgy knees, plus, it didn’t help that we were there right in the middle of the tourist season, if I went again, I’d pick a time when the Victorians should all be at work! From Geoff’s perspective, I’m not sure that he had the best time, there was grumbling from time to time, but he took it all in stride, that’s what I love so much about walking with him.
Often think of this trip, it was a great one! still get shivers down my spine with all the people we had to share the great outdoors with..and agree wont do that one again..or any.. in tourist time.