Fairhaven-Moggs Creek Ridge Walk
An interesting walk through magnificent heathy woodland and heathland with spectacular coastal views at the end of the track. Colourful wildflowers appear in spring, and orchids in late winter and spring.
Walk Summary
Starting Point: End of Ridge Road, Fairhaven
Time and Distance: 7.0 km return (2.5 hr)
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate; uphill walk to the top of the ridge
Walk Notes
Start the walk at the gated entrance to the Park. The gravel track leads you through attractive heathy woodland with some fine stands of Austral Grass-trees. Often terrestrial orchids may be seen on the edge of the track. The track winds to the left and eventually brings you up on to the ridge.
Having reached the top of the hill it is interesting to walk the length of the ridge making your way along the ridgeline towards the coast. There are some good views of the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet.
Coastal views and tree clad hills intermingle in the background while the heathland plants on either side of the track are fragile and beautiful. In the springtime you will find a variety of terrestrial orchids. There are additional tracks leading down to Fairhaven. Messmates are the main trees that grow in this coastal area, and you will notice how stunted and wind-pruned they are compared with those that grow further inland. Birdlife is abundant especially when the grass-trees are flowering.
Walk to the end of the track where you will gain spectacular views across the heathland hillside over the settlement of Moggs Creek to Eastern View and across the sea to Lorne.
How to Get There
Turn off Great Ocean Road at Lialeeta Road just past Painkalac bridge at Aireys Inlet. Follow Lialeeta Road for 0.4 km and then turn right into Ridge Road. Drive 0.7 km along Ridge Road and park at end of bitumen. Start walk on gravel track.
SHORTER MOGGS CREEK OPTION
There is a shorter 2.5km return option of this walk starting from Moggs Creek.
Walk Summary
Starting Point: Old Coach Road, Moggs Creek
Time and Distance: 2.5 km return (1 hr)
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate; uphill walk to the top of the ridge
Walk Notes
Start the walk at the ‘Management Vehicle Only’ sign at the gated entrance to the Park. The sandy track leads you through a fine stand of Sweet Wattle that flowers in May/June and is most attractive. Take your time climbing to the top of the ridge and you will be able to admire the wide variety of plants that grow in this treeless heathland habitat.
Having reached the top of the hill it is interesting to walk the length of the ridge making your way along the ridgeline towards the coast. There are some good views of the Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet.
Coastal views and tree clad hills intermingle in the background while the heathland plants on either side of the track are fragile and beautiful. In the springtime you will find a variety of terrestrial orchids. There are additional tracks leading down to Fairhaven. Messmates are the main trees that grow in this coastal area, and you will notice how stunted and wind-pruned they are compared with those that grow further inland. Birdlife is abundant especially when the grass-trees are flowering.
Walk to the end of the track where you will gain spectacular views across the heathland hillside over the settlement of Moggs Creek to Eastern View and across the sea to Lorne.
How to Get There
Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Old Coach Road, east of the Moggs Creek Bridge. Turn right at the T intersection and continue along Old Coach Road for 1.5 km and park in Old Coach Road. Start walk at ‘Management Vehicles Only’ gated entrance.
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.
Web Links
→ Friends of Eastern Otways
→ feo.org.au/walks/walk-19-fairhaven-moggs-creek-ridge/
