Phantom Falls, Lorne, Victoria, Australia

31 December 2018

Phantom Falls is in the Great Otway National Park just outside of Lorne in Victoria. The falls are on a the St George river a lovely 45 minute bush walk from the Allenvale Mill car park.

The walk isn't too challenging. There is one steep section that had me puffing and panting but the rest of the mostly uphill walk isn't bad at all. From the car park you follow a trail till you get to a private farm, an apple orchard. Here you just follow the marked track through the farm and back into the bush. I'm not sure what happens if you get off the trail at the farm. I didn't see any angry farmers brandishing pitch forks. We even sat under the trees in the orchard for a little while. The farm is one of the things that make this walk unique.

The trail to Phantom Falls follows the St George river as it meanders through the valley. We were there on New Year's eve and could hear music echoing across the hills. I thought it might have been noisy campers or four wheel drivers but I am certain it was the Falls Festival which is held in the area every year.

We saw a few people, maybe half a dozen, walking back from the falls but we didn't see anybody else for the rest of time we were there. The falls themselves cascade about 15 meters down into a deep pool of dark water. Even though it was the middle of Summer it was very cool the day we were there so there wan't much chance of me taking a plunge into the water myself. The base of the waterfall is surrounded by tall shady eucalyptus, ferns and rocks.

On the way back we saw about a dozen kangaroos cavorting in a paddock. There was another big Kangaroo in the apple orchard too. It was close to sunset. They mostly come out at sunset. Mostly.

Kangaroo in the apple orchard

Phantom Falls, Victoria, Australia

Phantom Falls is perfect for a family day trip from Melbourne for a picnic and a bush walk. There are a number of walks and water falls in the area. This is one of the National Parks where dog's aren't allowed so we had to leave Cassie home. I'm pretty sure she would have loved to go for a run with the kangaroos.

Phantom Falls is about 2 hours from Melbourne in the Great Otway National Park and just few minutes from Lorne. There's loads of other places to see in the area too, including the Great Ocean Road, a bunch of other waterfalls, and the beautiful Otway Ranges.

Check out the Allenvale Mill to Phantom Falls walk on Visit Victoria

Check out our Phantom Falls video on Youtube below.

Many of the pictures on this page are by Michelle. Essentially the good ones. Michelle retains full copyright and they can not be reproduced without permission. For licensing and using the photos contact Michelle at Michelle Newnan Photography