The Otways - Nice 3 hour walk and campsite

[bulldogboy]

For those interested in a 3 hour walk a couple of hours from Melbourne, i could recommend the Canyon walk which i visited last week . It starts about 10 minutes from Lorne at The Sheoak Picnic Area. The three waterfalls were all flowing nicely and ideal for a dip on a warm day. Not to mention the Canyon and abundance of shade. Although its close proximity to Lorne, we didn't come across too many humans.

We camped at Lake Elizabeth which is just out of Forrest. The undulating grounds would have to be one of the most pretty i've come across. A 20 minute walk takes you to the hauntingly beautiful lake where you can do a 2 hour loop walk and if done at dawn or dusk, maybe spot an elusive platypus. I didn't as i was outvoted by the family... next time.

[dplanet]

Thanks

[Eremophila]

Yeah thanks, BDB, going to check out this one on the weekend.

We're heading to Otway NP via Forrest on Saturday arvo, going to try and score a campsite at Lake Elizabeth but won't arrive till around 6pm. Perhaps we should just head straight for Forrest Caravan Park.

[Eremophila]

As predicted, Lake Elizabeth campsite was pretty chock-a-block by the time we arrived. Drove on to check out Stevensons Falls campsite less said the better. We ended up going elsewhere (not in NP).
Did the Canyon walk Sunday morning, the water levels were very low but otherwise a lovely walk. Quite a few people but not over-crowded, plenty of folks on the section between Allenvale Mill and Phantom Falls.
We camped Sunday night at Beauchamp Falls which was full but not crowded, no revheads or idiots, great spot. Walked down to the falls Monday morning, plenty of water flowing there, a surprisingly nice waterfall.
Anyone know what these guys are? They were in a tree on the section of the Canyon walk which passes through a private property, at the edge of the orchard by the creek. (too lazy to go & find my bird guidebook)

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[highercountry]

Them there is a male with the red head and a female Gang-gang cockatoo.
They make some very strange noises too.

[MickyB]

Thanks for the report Eremophila. Hoping to head down there again with the next few weeks. Was there any water flowing over Phantom Falls?

First photo is a male Gang-gang cockatoo. The 2nd photo is a female.

[MickyB]

You beat me to it highercountry They are great birds.

[MickyB]

The 2nd photo could also be a juvenile. I am not an ornithologist but I think a juvenile gang-gang looks similar to a female adult. Happy to be corrected though.

[highercountry]

The 2nd photo could also be a juvenile. I am not an ornithologist but I think a juvenile gang-gang looks similar to a female adult. Happy to be corrected though.

I've seen them in pairs and I've seen them in family groups.
I don't know, you could be right Micky.

[Eremophila]

Thanks for the replies - I always thought "gang-gang" was a nickname for yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

Very little water over Phantom Falls

Another good thing about Beauchamp was its proximity to "Otway Fly", enabled us to get there and do the treetops walk before the screaming hordes arrived. Triplet Falls was very busy in the carpark, lots of picnickers but very few people on the track.

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[MickyB]

Thanks for the photo Eremophila. As least there was some water going over Phantom Falls for you. Here is a photo of it from about 12 months ago.

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[Maaxxx]

Love Gang Gangs. One of my very favourite birds, but they always sound like they need oiling!