Hopetoun Falls is a waterfall located on the Aire River in the Great Otway National Park in Victoria. The site incorporates a viewing platform near the carpark, and 1km/30 minute return bush walk to the base of the falls.
The road into the carpark is unsealed and can be muddy and slippery, depending on weather conditions. There's also a sign at the turn-off indicating that the road is unsuitable for caravans, trucks etc. It's narrow in sections too, so it's a good idea to drive slowly in case there is traffic coming the other way.
The road leading into the parking area.
Once you arrive at the carpark, there's a wooden picnic table for those who wish to sit down and have a picnic lunch, an interpretive sign providing information about the area, and a walking track.
A short distance along the track, there's a viewing platform which provides a great view of the top of the falls through the bush.
The viewing platform is just a short distance from the carpark
The view of the falls from the viewing platform near the carpark
If you're keen to do the walk down to the bottom of the falls, continue along the path, and it will veer to the right at the bottom. The path twists and turns and is quite steep and narrow in sections, which is ok on the way down, but a bit more tiring on the return leg.
The track is made up of several sections - unsealed track, steps with wooden rise and sections of wooden boardwalk with chicken wire for grip. There are metal handrails in some parts, but no seats to stop and rest.
The track also gets narrow in sections and was quite muddy and slippery when I visited, due to the recent rain.
At the end of the walk, there is a viewing platform, which provides a fantastic view of the falls and river.
There's an interpretive sign near the falls, which provides information about the Aire River (
"the only heritage listed river within the Otway Ranges").
The sign also states that Platypus sightings are
"rare, but possible", although I wasn't lucky enough to see one when I visited.
The waterfall appears to be very popular with photographers, as I passed several people with tripods and photography equipment, so bring a camera (or your phone) to take a couple of photos.
Overall, it's an enjoyable walk and well worth doing if you're exploring the Otways. It's also just a short distance from the
Redwood Forest Picnic Area, so it's well-worth making the time to visit both attractions if you're in the area.
Additional Information
Before you leave: Have a quick look at the
Parks Victoria website to find out about any changes in conditions (eg. road closures, bush fires etc)
Parking: There is a small, unsealed carpark.
Toilets: There are no toilet facilities, however, the closest toilets are just a short drive away, at the Redwood Forest Picnic Area.
Picnic Facilities: There is a wooden picnic table near the carpark. It was fairly wet when I visited, so you might need something to sit on.
What to bring:
Sturdy Walking Shoes/Boots
Sun Hat/Sunscreen/Insect Repellant/Raincoat - depending on the weather conditions.
No dogs or cats permitted.
Free (at the time of publication, Parks Victoria doesn't charge any fees for entry into National Parks)
