Recreation and Tourism

A New Future for the Otways Tourism Initiative - 19 Projects

Walking Tracks and Waterfalls

Major Redevelopment at Triplet Falls Great Ocean Walk Upgrading Existing Short Walks New Walking Track to Little Aire Falls Monitoring and Evaluation of Long Walks Major redevelopment at Triplet Falls The popular Triplet Falls site in the Otways is again “open for business”. After being closed to visitors in 2003 as a result of vandalism to 73 mature trees along the walking track, this iconic attraction has received a $1.9 million upgrade as part of the Otways Tourism Initiative. Construction works are now complete and the site was reopened to visitors on the 12 April 2006. Triplet Falls viewing platform Features of the Triplet Falls re-development include: New 2km Loop Walk that takes visitors into previously unexplored parts of this ancient forest Raised boardwalks that reduce visitor impact on the delicate rainforest habitat while providing ease of access for visitors Six new viewing platforms that provide new and unique views into the lower cascades and falls At 2km, the new walk is longer than the previous 0.5km walk but delivers new delights and rewarding views and a greatly improved visitor experience. Additionally, the slightly longer walk will enable this iconic attraction to handle increasing visitor numbers, which will protect the visitor experience and prevent the likelihood of future overcrowding. The works at Triplet Falls have been undertaken in accordance with the Visitor Management Plan for the Triplet Falls area of the Otway Ranges. Final Triplet Falls VMP (PDF - 2.0 Mb) Great Ocean Walk Victoria’s outstanding new long-distance coastal walking experience – The Great Ocean Walk, was officially opened last summer. The 91 kilometre walk links Apollo Bay to Glenample Homestead, near the Twelve Apostles, passing through the Great Otway and Port Campbell National Parks. The walk has been designed so that hikers can ‘step on and step off’ the trail in short walk, day walk and overnight walk options. They can then choose from the wide range of accommodation, cafes and Great Ocean Walk services provided in the region. For hikers wishing to camp at the purpose-built Great Ocean Walk “hike-in” sites along the way, these sites have been equipped with new shelters, picnic tables, rainwater tanks and environmentally friendly composting toilets, and are located at some of the walk’s most beautiful and remote locations. To promote the walk and allow opportunities for tourism businesses to promote their services, Parks Victoria have developed a marketing brochure and a website. The brochures are available from Visitor Information Centres and the Parks Victoria Information Centre 13 19 63. For the official GOW website, go to www.greatoceanwalk.com.au page top Upgrading Existing Short Walks This project consists of a number of works, mostly focusing around access to waterfalls. Work at various sites may include new walking tracks, upgraded car parks, new / repaired viewing platforms and new signage. Such improvements are being made at: Erskine Falls - Complete Elaine Carbines with Parks Victoria Project Manager Peter Hayes at Erskine Falls Elaine Carbines, the Member for Geelong Province, recently inspected completed works worth $190,000 at Erskine Falls. The upgrades included new hand rails on the steps down to the upper and lower lookouts, a refurbished upper viewing lookout, a new innovative entrance sculpture with information board and upgrades to the car park and signage that will cater for the site’s 400,000 visitors each year. Wherever possible, contractors from the region were used to deliver this quality outcome. Ballarat Regional Industries, a company which offers employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities, constructed the handrail and lookout and renewed the path. Beauchamp Falls - In progress The Beauchamp Falls walk has been refurbished to give visitors a forest walk to one of the range’s hidden gems. A new viewing platform will be completed by Christmas 2006 providing a safe and easy access to the falls. Hopetoun Falls - In progress Hopetoun Falls when completed will used 300 kg of concrete for footings; 13 tonnes of plantation grown timber for the lookout and the contractors will have climbed the equivalent of 12,000 floors of an office tower getting materials in and out of the site. Stevensons Falls - In progress Stevensons Falls offers both a camping and day visit opportunity. A new walking route to the falls and lookout will provide an excellent photo opportunity. Snapshot of Little Aire Falls New Walking Track to Little Aire Falls Little Aire Falls is not currently accessible and this project aims to construct an attractive half-day track that provides views of the falls that complements nearby Triplet Falls. The creation of this new walk is expected to further strength this area as a ‘must see’ visitor destination. The design work on this track has commenced, with construction of the trail expected to start in the final year of the tourism initiative (2006/07). The walk will incorporate boardwalks, lookouts and signage. Monitoring and Evaluation of Long Walks To allow for effective evaluation of Otway Tourism Initiative investments, visitor monitoring will be undertaken to measure the use of key trails such as the Great Ocean Walk and the Old Beechy Line Rail Trail. Contact Us For more information call the Customer Service Centre on 131 186 or email tourism.otways@dse.vic.gov.au Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site. page top