Little Aire Falls

Little Aire Falls is a waterfall in Great Otway National Park, reached by a forest walk that branches from the Triplet Falls track. It ends at an elevated, cantilevered platform with a view over the cascade and valley, rather than a path down to the pool. Allow about two to two and a half hours for the return walk. Choose it for the rainforest walk as much as the falls; the waterfall stays some distance below the lookout.

From the Triplet Falls picnic area, follow its track about 100 metres to the Little Aire junction. The branch crosses creek bridges and fern gullies, with steps and inclines along the way. The return includes a steep climb back to the car park. After rain, muddy and slippery footing can slow you down, so wear shoes with grip and leave enough daylight for the walk back.

The elevated platform looks across the waterfall and the valley. You see the falls from above and some distance away; there is no easy route to the base. For a photo, include the ferns and forest around the drop to show how the cascade sits in the rainforest, rather than cropping tightly to the water.

The route passes through cool temperate rainforest and wet eucalypt forest. Mountain ash, blackwood and myrtle beech are among the trees overhead, with fern gullies along the track. The old logging winch line beside the walk is a reminder that this forest has a timber history as well as a visitor trail.

The walk starts from the Triplet Falls day visitor area at the end of Phillips Track, near Beech Forest. Parking, picnic tables and basic toilets are at the shared starting area, not at the waterfall platform. There is no food stop on the walk; bring drinking water and a snack for the return.