Hopetoun Falls

Hopetoun Falls is a waterfall within Great Otway National Park that descends through dense ferns and tall trees about 30 meters into a deep gorge. The surrounding area is an ancient temperate rainforest with layered vegetation that creates a distinctive natural environment.

The waterfall was named after the 7th Earl of Hopetoun, who served as Governor of Victoria during the colonial era in the 1800s. The naming reflects the European administration that shaped the region's official identity at that time.

The rainforest surrounding the waterfall holds deep spiritual roots for Aboriginal communities, who viewed and continue to view the land as a sacred place connected to their ancestry and stories.

Access to the waterfall is through a short walking track about 200 meters long with stairs and timber boardwalks winding through the forest. Flat shoes with good grip are important since the surfaces are damp and can be slippery throughout the year.

The water flow changes dramatically with the seasons, becoming much stronger in winter months when the increased mist patterns create striking effects through the forest canopy. This seasonal shift transforms how the waterfall looks and feels during different times of year.