An Otways day off the coast road
Lake Elizabeth and Stevensons Falls are short walks either side of Forrest, a little town in the Otway forest behind Lorne. The lake is a valley that flooded when a landslide blocked the East Barwon River in 1952, and the dead trunks still stand in the water. The falls are at the end of an easy track through a stand of Californian redwoods.
Forrest is about an hour and a quarter from the house, so with both walks and lunch in town it's a full day. It's a good one when the Great Ocean Road's packed or the beach is blown out. If you only have the afternoon, pick one.
Don't mix up Stevensons Falls with Steavenson Falls at Marysville, north-east of Melbourne. The names are close enough to send your map the wrong way. You want the one near Forrest.
Getting to Forrest
Head inland from Torquay rather than down the coast. From north Torquay it's Grossmans Road and Coombes Road to Hendy Main Road, then a string of back roads across to Cape Otway Road. Follow that west to Birregurra and take the Birregurra-Forrest Road south into town. It's about 80 km and an hour and a quarter. Let the map handle the small roads in the middle.
You can also go the long way via Lorne, or through Deans Marsh, if you want a coffee stop or the coast on the way. Both take longer. Fill up in Torquay or Winchelsea before you go.
Lake Elizabeth
The lake's about 10 minutes from Forrest along Kaanglang Road. From the day visitor area it's a 1 km walk along the East Barwon to the water. Parks Victoria warns of deep water and a steep section, so watch the kids. There's a longer loop around the drowned valley if you want more of a walk.
Platypus live in the lake. Parks Victoria says you might see them at dawn or dusk if you're quiet, feeding in the shallows. At midday, with a group chatting on the bank, you probably won't. Keep an eye out for satin bowerbirds, superb fairy-wrens, eastern yellow robins and grey shrike-thrushes around the campground.
Dogs are allowed on a lead on the walk to the lake, at the campground and at the day visitor area. The longer loop is listed as no dogs, so check the sign at the start. Most of Great Otway National Park is no dogs.
Canoeing's allowed, but there's no hire at the lake, so bring your own boat or book a guided paddle in Forrest.
Stevensons Falls
From Forrest, take the Forrest-Apollo Bay Road south and turn right onto Upper Gellibrand Road. The campground is about 4.5 km along it, on a narrow gravel road that's fine in an ordinary car. Cross the bridge and turn right for the picnic area. It's about 15 minutes all up. The walk is 1 km return on a formed track with no steps. It passes the redwoods, crosses the Gellibrand River and finishes at a viewing platform at the bottom of the falls. The redwoods are a 1980s trial plantation, and they're still impressive.
The main path is mesh boardwalk and compacted gravel, fine for prams and wheelchairs, and the viewing platform is accessible. A second platform and a short redwoods boardwalk both have steps. There are toilets and picnic tables at the day area. The falls run best after rain, so spring is a good time to go. For the other falls in the Otways, see our waterfalls near Torquay guide.
Dogs: the state-forest site says dogs are allowed here, but another Parks Victoria list says they aren't. Go by the sign at the car park.
How to split the day
Lake first
If platypus are the point, get to the water early. Then coffee in Forrest, the falls in the early afternoon, and home the way you came. It's a long day, mostly because of the driving.
Falls only
Forrest, the falls, lunch in town, home. The redwoods and the platform are plenty if nobody's keen on the lake walk as well.
Bikes or beer instead
Forrest is a mountain-bike town, and a popular ride goes out to the lake. The trails are in our mountain biking guide, and Forrest Brewing, the usual stop afterwards, is in the breweries guide. For a canopy walk instead, the Otway Fly is the other inland day, and a longer drive.
Lake Elizabeth and Stevensons Falls FAQ
How far is it from Torquay?
About an hour and a quarter to Forrest via Birregurra. The lake is about 10 minutes further on Kaanglang Road, and the falls are about 15 minutes south via Upper Gellibrand Road.
How long is the walk to the lake?
About 1 km from the day visitor area to the water. There's a longer loop around the lake if you want more.
Will I see a platypus?
Maybe, at dawn or dusk if you're quiet. Midday is still worth it for the lake, but you're less likely to see one.
Are dogs allowed?
On a lead on the Lake Elizabeth walk, at the campground and at the day visitor area, but not on the longer loop. At Stevensons Falls, go by the sign at the car park.
Can I swim or canoe?
Parks Victoria warns the water's deep, so it's not a swimming spot. You can canoe if you bring your own boat or join a tour.
Is the falls walk hard?
No. It's 1 km return on a formed track with no steps, suitable for prams and wheelchairs. The extra platform and the redwoods boardwalk have steps.
Are there toilets?
Yes, at the Stevensons Falls day area. Forrest has cafés and the brewery for lunch.
When's the best time of year?
Any time. The falls are fullest after rain, so spring is good.
The bike trails are in mountain biking near Torquay, and the beer afterwards is in breweries near Torquay. The inland road via Deans Marsh is in Deans Marsh and the inland road. For a different forest day, see Otway Fly from Torquay. To stay at the house, check dates and send an enquiry.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 19 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Forrest — Parks Victoria
- Lake Elizabeth Walk — Parks Victoria
- Lake Elizabeth Loop Walk — Parks Victoria
- Dog friendly parks in Victoria — Parks Victoria
- Stevensons Falls — Explore Outdoors
- Refreshing waterfall walks — Explore Outdoors
- Stevensons Falls in the Otways has reopened — Forte Magazine
- Stevensons Falls, Barramunga — Waterfall Seasons
- Steavenson Falls Walk — Explore Outdoors