Aireys Inlet Woodland Circuit

Aireys Inlet Woodland Circuit is an easy 4.5 km loop from the lower Distillery Creek Picnic Ground, taking about 1½ hours. It climbs gently through ironbark woodland, then makes a short descent before returning beside Distillery Creek beneath taller eucalypts. Dogs are not permitted on the Nature Trail section used by this circuit.

Start behind the lower picnic area on the signed Nature Trail. Take its right-hand branch over the boardwalk; at the cross-track about 170 m in, turn left onto Ironbark Drive. At Loves Track, turn right and take care on the short downhill section. Turn right again onto the narrow creek-side track. At about 4 km, turn right where it meets the Aireys Inlet Nature Trail to return to the picnic area. The published 4.5 km figure follows this return; continuing straight across Ironbark Drive for a short retrace is an optional extra with no separate distance given.

Ironbark Drive passes tall trees and patches of dense wattles, daisy bushes, pomaderris and Dusty Miller. In clearer spots, blackened ironbark trunks recall the 1983 bushfires. Terrestrial orchids may flower beside the track in spring.

The return feels different under tall Manna Gums, peppermint trees, Mountain Grey-gums and messmates, with a dense understory close to the narrow path. This is the stretch to slow down and listen for birds; Powerful Owls are sometimes seen here. Victorian Christmas Bush flowers along the creek from December to January.

Use the lower car park at Distillery Creek Picnic Ground. From Aireys Inlet, turn off the Great Ocean Road onto Bambra Road east of the bottom shops, follow it 2.5 km beside the Painkalac Creek Valley, then turn left onto Distillery Creek Road. The upper picnic area across the road has toilets and an information board. Both picnic areas have tables and wood-fired barbecues; bring your own wood.