The Steele's Set Off: September 2019

Lorne

Saturday 24th August 2019

Our day trip to Lorne started with a stop off to Erskin Falls which is about a 9km drive from Lorne

Erskin Falls

Erskin Falls Plunges about 30 metres into the Erskin River making it the highest waterfall in the region. It can be viewed from the upper platform which is a 5 minute walk from the car park

or the lower platform which is a steep 240 step walk but well work the effort

She Oak Falls Picnic Area

Next we went to the She Oak Falls Picnic Area for a BBQ lunch. The picnic area is a beautiful little spot with a few tables and chairs and BBQ's there are also toilet facilities.

Henderson Falls & won Wondah Falls

After lunch we began our walk to Henderson Falls, the walk is clearly signed. We came to a wooden bridge not long after starting

keep following the signs

You then hit the road where you could go left for upper & lower Kalimna Falls or right to follow the track to Won Wondah & Henderson Falls.

From this point Won wondah Falls are 1km away and Henderson Falls a further 500 meters.

There is no access to the base of Won Wondah Falls and the views are slightly blocked by vegetation but since they are on the way to Henderson Falls we stopped for a quick look.

Further along the track there is a sign indicating to go right to the Canyon & Phantom Falls or straight to Henderson Falls

Soon after we arrived at Henderson Falls & they were amazing, you can walk right up the the falls and feel the water spray on you

We followed the track back the way we came to the Car Park

Before heading home we stopped in at Lorne for an ice-cream

28th June - 2nd July 2019

$137.70 for 4 nights

2 adults (kids under 5 were free)

Powered site 39

Halls Gap Lakeside is located next to the dam wall off Lake Bellfield and adjacent to a valley. It is a beautiful friendly park with great facilities including a wood fire heated pool that is warm all year round, spring free trampolines, playground, large camp lounge & new amenities and amazing views & full of kangaroos

We arrived late on Friday night, set up, had dinner and sat by the campfire toasting marshmallows waiting for our friends to arrive that were staying in a nearby cabin

During the night on Friday night they rains came & I mean really came, it poured all day Saturday! It was disappointing as it was our only full day with the whole group together but we made the most of it.

We attempted to go to a Bar/ Bistro just outside Halls Gap having been there before and enjoyed the experience however upon arrival we were met with very unwelcoming staff and felt like it was difficult to accommodate us despite having plenty of spare tables so we decided to leave.

We were welcomed into the Halls Gap Hotel

there were open fires, a childrens play area & colouring in & delicious meals ourside the windows we were surrounded by kangaroos

with not much else to do in the weather we spent the afternoon in the camp lounge chatting and playing games.

Saturday morning we headed into town for coffee before half our group left to go home

The rest of us then went for a walk to Clematis Falls. Google maps took us to the wrong place but we eventually found the beginning of the walk behind the football oval.

It was an easy walk taking around an hour return

Back at the football oval there were so many friendly kangaroos

Next stop the bakery for lunch and a play near the creek

After the Draytons left for home we decided to head to the venus baths loop. It is a short walk beginning & ending at the Botanical Gardens

It started to rain again so we headed back to camp but later that afternoon we were able to have a swim in the wood fire heated pool. It was beautiful and warm in the pool but freezing cold to get out!

On Monday we embarked on the journey to Fish Falls starting at the Zumsteims Picnic Area which is located about 30 minutes from Halls Gap.
The picnic area is on the banks of the McKenzie River and is an old historic site & camping ground. There is a wooden viewing platform looking over the river and also toilets & BBQ areas

The walk is 2.3km one way and began by crossing a bridge and following a track with beautiful river views

Fish Falls are pretty waterfalls which cascades over terraced rocks. You arrive at the base of the falls

and as you climb the stairs to the side it takes you to different levels and viewing platforms

until you get to the top

Once we had a break at the top of the falls the kids were keen to continue on to the base of McKenzie Falls which is a further 1.4 km. Since it had been raining so much the track was very muddy and at one point flooded where we had to rock hop to get through which was interesting with 2 little kids.

then we arrived at the base on McKenzie Falls

We were worries about how the kids were going to walk to 3.7km trek back to the car, Kayleigh had a sleep in the carrier and Mason walked 90% of the way with a short piggy back at the end.

This is one of my favourite walks we have done so far .

Then it was back to our camp for another dip in the heated pool.

Tuesday was pack up day but before we headed home we decided to pop into Silverband Falls this is an easy 1.4 km return walk from the car park.

We have been here before & there wasnt much of a flow that you could touch the water which your hands and not get your clothes wet however with the heavy rain there was a lot more water flowing