Pros & cons
PROS
- Rainforest loop with elevated platforms overlooking three cascades
- Timber‑mill relics and interpretive signs add real sense of place
- Toilets, picnic tables and a good‑size car park at the trailhead
CONS
- Many stairs and can be slippery after rain
- Foliage can partially block views of all three drops
- Last 3 km of access road is unsealed gravel
Overview
A short, satisfying rainforest walk leads to one of the Otways’ showpiece waterfalls: three segmented drops of Young Creek spilling through tree‑fern gullies and towering mountain ash. Elevated platforms frame the cascades and the constant roar of water does the rest.
The Walk
Expect a 1.8–2 km signed loop (about an hour) with lots of stairs, short steep sections, and a mix of dirt and metal boardwalks. The viewpoints are excellent, though living rainforest sometimes creeps into the frame and partially obscures the full trio. No swimming and the track keeps you off the creek—this one’s about the look and the feel, not a rock‑hop to the base.
History Along the Track
This isn’t just a waterfall tick. The loop threads past a former timber‑mill site, with old log carriages and artefacts that tell the story of early logging in the Otways. Interpretive signs cover local plants, animals and the human past—worth a few extra minutes as you climb out.
Wildlife & Forest
Listen for superb lyrebirds scratching in the leaf litter and keep an eye out for other birdlife in the cool‑temperate rainforest. After wet spells, leeches are part of the package—long socks help. The cathedral‑tall eucalypts and dense fern gullies are a highlight even if the falls are modest that day.
Getting There & Facilities
From Beech Forest–Lavers Hill Road, turn onto Phillips Track; the final few kilometres are unsealed but fine for 2WD with care, especially after rain. At the car park you’ll find toilets, picnic tables and a generous parking area. There’s no listed drinking water; mobile reception is patchy.
Best Time to Visit
Flows are strongest after rain, with winter–spring the safest bet. Start early or late to enjoy quieter platforms; weekends see busier mid‑afternoons. Cloudy or soft morning light flatters the rainforest and reduces glare off the water.
Safety & Rules
Tracks can be slippery; watch the steps, and be mindful of snakes and the potential for falling limbs. No dogs, bikes, horses, fires or camping. Check the official Parks authority for any change‑of‑conditions or temporary closures before you drive in.
Easy Add‑Ons
If you’ve got more time, Little Aire Falls leaves from the same car park, and Otway Fly Treetop Walk sits along the access road—both pair nicely with Triplet Falls.
Where it is
-38.6713, 143.4934Tips for Triplet Falls
- 01Walk the loop clockwise for the best sequence of viewpoints and an easier finish.
- 02Bring your own drinking water; the toilet tank is for hand‑washing only.
- 03After heavy rain, wear long socks or gaiters—leeches love these fern gullies.
- 04Check the Parks authority’s conditions on the morning of your visit for any closures.
- 05Combine with Little Aire Falls or the Otway Fly if you have half a day.
Amenities
Near Triplet Falls
All places →All trails →
0.1 mi awayLittle Aire FallsA ferny, strenuous walk to a framed waterfall on Young CreekTrailhead · Restroom
0.1 mi awayTriplet Falls LoopShort rainforest loop to triple cascades and historic tramway relicsEasy · 1.1 mi · 48 min
1.6 mi awayOtway Fly Treetop WalkSteel walkway in the treetops with a spiral tower and cantileverRestroom · Parking
2.3 mi awayAire Crossing CampgroundTiny rainforest bush camp beside the Aire River, free and quietCampground · Restroom
4 mi awayHopetoun Falls LookoutQuick roadside perch with a teaser view of the fallsParking · Scenic Viewpoint
4 mi awayHopetoun Falls WalkShort, steep stair run to a thunderous rainforest waterfallEasy · 0.5 mi · 45 min
4.7 mi awayCalifornian Redwoods WalkShort, moody wander beneath 1930s redwoods by the Aire River.Easy · 0.5 mi · 45 min
6.2 mi awayBeauchamp Falls WalkShort rainforest walk to a thundering 20 m waterfallModerate · 1.9 mi · 1.2 hr
