Beauchamp Falls Walk

Beauchamp Falls Walk is a 3 km (1.9 mi) return hike from Beauchamp Falls Campground’s picnic area to a 20 m waterfall, then back the same way. The trail runs from the campground down through Otway forest to the viewing platform. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours if you stop at the falls. It’s a good pick when you want a proper forest walk with a clear payoff; the short distance can fool you, because the climb back is steep.

You descend first, so the first half feels easier than the walk out. The path starts wide and shady, then steepens; steps take you down toward the falls. On the return, you regain the height you lost on the way in, with a particularly steep set of stairs near the bottom. Take your time, especially if the track has been wet. This is a short hike, not a level campground stroll.

The forest changes along the way. The route starts through softwood plantation, follows a river, then enters stands of mountain ash, large myrtle beech, blackwood and thick ferns. A fern boardwalk and creek-side stretch break up the descent. Give yourself time to notice the shift from the more open plantation to the lush fern understory: this walk is more than a quick dash to the waterfall.

The payoff is a 20 m drop into a rocky creek, viewed from a platform reached by stairs. The platform is the official end of the walk. There’s no formed route to the base, and the rocks below can be slippery, so keep your visit to the platform rather than scrambling down. From there, frame the falls with the mossy rock and fern canopy; you can linger before starting the climb back.

The walk starts at the campground picnic area, reached from Binns Road by an unsealed access road. The official visitor information says 2WD vehicles can reach the site. There are toilets, a picnic shelter, tables and fire pits at the campground and picnic area, not along the trail; no potable water is provided, so bring drinking water. No food service is listed at the trailhead or on the route, so arrive with what you need.

Dogs are allowed on lead. No fee or booking is required. After rain, expect the steps and creekside rocks to be slippery, so take care on the descent and the return climb. No fee or booking is required, and the parking area is shared with campground users.