Moggs Creek Ocean View Walk
A walk with spectacular coastal views through drier forest areas of ironbarks, messmates, peppermints, Mountain Grey-gums and Southern Blue-gums above a varying understorey. There are some fine stands of Austral Grass-trees, and small terrestrial orchids can be seen in winter and spring. Birds include the rare Rufous Bristlebird, Eastern Yellow Robins, White-throated Treecreepers and Grey Shrike-thrushes.
Walk Summary
Starting Point: Moggs Creek Picnic Ground, Boyd Avenue, Moggs Creek
Time and Distance: 5.0 km circuit (2 hrs)
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The track is well graded but includes a fair amount of uphill walking
Walk Notes
Begin the walk at the western end of the car park at the Moggs Creek Picnic Ground at the sign ‘Ocean View Track’. Walk past the first track branching off to the left and make your way along the well-graded slightly uphill track as it winds through the forest.
The blackened trunks of the ironbarks are a reminder of the 1983 bushfires and later fuel reduction burns. The understorey is mainly Prickly Moses and Varnish Wattle with native grasses growing on the sides of the track, along with many small plants, including Erect Guinea Flower, Cranberry Heath and Victoria’s floral emblem the pink Common Heath.
After you have been walking for about 20 minutes you will cross a management track. The sound of the ocean is ever present and there are good views of the sea. The track winds its way through a variety of wattles and Large-leaf Bush-pea that will flower in the spring. There is a spectacular stand of Austral Grass-trees and from here it is downhill to the coast. Eastern Grey Kangaroos are often sighted from the track.
Turn left at the wide Moggs Creek Track and walk downhill until you come to a small heathland track leading to the Ocean View Lookout. This takes you to a viewing area where you can obtain sweeping coastal views to Aireys Inlet and Lorne and along the Great Ocean Road.
Once refreshed, return along the heathland track, cross Moggs Creek Track and follow the signed walking track ahead through the forest back to the picnic ground A great stand of Cypress Daisy-bush grows in this area.
How to Get There
Turn off the Great Ocean Road at Old Coach Road, east of the Moggs Creek Bridge. Follow signs to Picnic Ground. Turn left at Old Neuk Road (bitumen). Continue along the unsealed road and turn left. The road goes past the Guide Camp on the left and a dam on the right. Proceed down the hill to the end of the track which brings you to the picnic ground. There is an information board, toilets, 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
45A Boyd Avenue, Moggs Creek 3231 View Map
Web Links
→ Friends of Eastern Otways
→ feo.org.au/walks/walk-21-moggs-creek-circuit-trail/
