Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

Perfect picnic setting surrounded by tall eucalypt trees, cool fern gullies and a classic walking 'hub' with a range of walks leading to the iconic Otway waterfalls such as Henderson, Won Wondah, Kalimna, Sheoak, and Phantom Falls. Castle Rock walk provides stunning views over the Great Ocean Road.

How to get there

Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

Facilities

Carpark

BBQ - Electric/Gas

Toilets

Need to know

Sheoak Picnic Area (Great Otway National Park)

Safety in nature

You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.

Accessibility

Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

Warnings & Restrictions

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed

Restrictions

No fires permitted
No dogs, cats, pets allowed
No camping
No firearms allowed

Warnings

None applicable

Be Prepared

Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

Allenvale Road (Garvey Track) and Sharps Road are closed due to roadworks

Allenvale Road (Garvey Track) and Sharps Road are closed for road works. there is no access to Sheoak Picnic Ground due to these works occurring.

Garvey Track Closed until further notice.

Garvey track will remain closed until further notice. Major road works are due to occur when conditions are suitable.

Cora Lynn Campground Closure

This campground is closed until further notice due to hazardous trees.

Upper Kalimna Walking Trail Closed

Walking trail to Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice due to storm damage. Lower Falls remain open.

Kalimna Tramline Trail Closed

This walking track is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area.

Curtis Track Closed

Curtis Track is currently closed due to hazardous conditions. Conditions continue to be monitored and assessed.

Upper and Lower Distillery Creek Picnic Ground and track network closed due to planned burning

Planned burning operations are scheduled in this park which will result in Distillery Creek Lower Picnic Ground, Distillery Creek Upper Picnic Ground, Currawong Falls track, Distillery Creek Nature Trail, Ironbark Gorge Trail, and Ironbark Drive being closed from the time a burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. Ignition of the burn is scheduled from 24/03/2023 and is subject to favourable weather. Check the status of current planned burns at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au

No All-Abilities Toilet at Sheoak Picnic Area

No all-abilities toilet access at Sheoak Picnic Area. Portable toilets temporarily in use.

Maits Rest Carpark- bus access

Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill.

Melba Gully - Large bus access

Melba Gully Walk Track and picnic area is accessible for large coaches. Toilet facilities are available on site

Lifejackets Required For Rock Fishers from March 1, 2022

A two-year trial of new laws that require rock fishers to wear a lifejacket at high-risk locations will commence on 1 March 2022.

For Great Otway National Park this includes:

Artillery Rocks, west of Lorne
The rock platform opposite Sheoak Falls, south of Lorne

This factsheet includes maps of the affected areas.

Fines apply if you don’t wear a lifejacket at these sites.

To find out more, visit Victorian Fisheries Authority

Blanket Bay - Bush Rats

Following the success of our fox and feral cat management programmes population numbers of Rattus fuscipes have grown again in the Blanket Bay campground area of the Great Otway National Park.

The combination of less predators and conducive weather conditions has allowed a population to return that campers at Blanket Bay should be cautious of.

The Bush rat has some specific features that can help you distinguish it from similar rats.

· It has pointed head and rounded ears.

· Its tail is smaller than the rat's body.

· Another key feature is their front teeth - they are chisel-shaped with hard yellow enamel.

These native rodents are known to scavenge on campers’ food, gnawing through tents to get to uncontained foodstuffs.

Native bush Rats are protected wildlife in the National Park and may form part of your camping experience while camping at Blanket Bay.

Attachments: Native vs Non-Native FS (779KB)