Phantom Falls

Drive about ten minutes from central Lorne to Allenvale Mill Picnic Grounds. The signed route follows the river from open orchard and farmland edges into tall eucalypts and denser forest, crossing a small bridge on the way. Stay on the Phantom Falls signs where management tracks branch toward The Canyon and Sheoak Picnic Area.

A small lookout and seat sit above the cascade, with a steep stair track continuing to the pool below. From the lookout, include the fern-covered escarpment in the frame to show the falls in their setting; the lower angle brings the pool and rock wall into the picture. The flow depends on rain: after a wet spell the cascade is stronger, while dry weather can leave only a trickle.

Local history places the waterfall’s discovery in the 1880s. It was then hard to find again for a time, and people thought it had vanished or was a phantom. The name stuck.

The river valley is also a good stretch to slow down and listen. Superb Fairy-wrens, White-throated Treecreepers, Grey Shrike-thrushes, honeyeaters, Pied Currawongs and Satin Bowerbirds have all been noted around the walk; Satin Bowerbirds sometimes breed near the Allenvale parking area.