Distillery Creek to Painkalac Dam Walk (Aireys Inlet)
A pleasant walk behind Aireys Inlet through ironbarks and other eucalypts on well-formed tracks along the south side of the Painkalac Dam with good water views. No longer the water source for Aireys Inlet and Fairhaven, the dam is now open to the public, and delightful in hot weather with a picnic table, many water birds and possibly a platypus.
Walk Summary
Starting Point: Upper car park at Distillery Creek Picnic Ground
Time and Distance: 8 km return (3 hr)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Walk Notes
Begin the walk on the track near the Distillery Creek toilet block where there is a sign to Moggs Creek Picnic Ground. The forest track takes you through a variety of eucalypts with private farmland on your left. The blackened trunks are a reminder of the 1983 bushfires and more recent planned burns.
After about 1 km turn left onto an unsealed Barwon Water 4WD access road to Painkalac Dam. The road passes through a variety of wattles and eucalypts. There are some fine views of the tree clad hills of the Otways. After 3 km you reach the dam. Turn left and walk along the track across the bridge below the spillway and under the dam wall. Climb to the other end of the dam wall for views of Painkalac Dam and surrounding tree-covered slopes. There are picnic tables and a Barwon Water information board about the reservoir.
Follow the steep gravel track (no sign) uphill. After approximately 200 m there is a Barwon Water signed track to the right. Follow this shaded track along the south side of the dam, with lovely views of the water and birdlife. The picnic table at the end of the track is an excellent place for lunch and bird watching. NOTE: There is no track linking the north and south sides of the dam.
Retrace your steps to the Distillery Creek Picnic Ground Car Park.
How to Get There
Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Bambra Road, just east of the bottom shops in Aireys Inlet. Follow the bitumen road alongside the Painkalac Creek Valley for 2.5 km and then turn left at junction of Bambra Road and Distillery Creek Road.
The lower car park and picnic area is on the right-hand side and the upper car park and picnic area on the left-hand side has an information board and toilets. Both have picnic tables and wood-fired barbecues (supply your own wood).
Guide to Walks in the Great Otway National Park Eastern Section
You can also purchase a full colour booklet produced by the Friends of Eastern Otways containing detailed track notes and maps for 38 walks in the area from Great Escape Books in Aireys Inlet, the Anglesea News & Lotto or the Angair website.
Location
115 Bambra Road, Aireys Inlet 3231 View Map
Web Links
→ Friends of Eastern Otways
→ feo.org.au/walks/walk-16-distillery-creek-to-painkalac-dam/
