No Ghouls here

Fed by the robust hydrology of the Saint George River nearabouts of the south-western coastal township of Lorne (Victoria) is found Phantom Falls.

Reached after a heart testing trundle of about 5 kilometres, which involves a short but steep climb up to a forest clothed escarpment from which the River drops over the 18 metre/60 feet Falls. Not as well known or visited as the more famous Erskine Falls - the highest Falls in Victoria at 32 metres/105 feet - Phantom Falls, in my very biased opinion, is just as spectacular, particularly if the Saint Georges River is swollen, as in this case, with springtime rains. It is also a lot quieter due to no entrée road such as leads to Erskine Falls. A sanction in a way.

I have tried over the years to establish the reason behind the naming of these Falls but nothing seems to fit the submission. My own view is perhaps the Falls are domiciled because of their location, which you approach initially to its lip rather than following at River level to below the Falls. Too, another not unreasonable explanation is that the Falls can be somewhat seasonal, dependant of rainfall, hence 'phantom'. Whatever the rationale, what you will not find is some spooky natural apparition or lost souls wandering aimless in the forest (unless it's me but I won't be lost) but instead another treasure of the Otway Ranges and certainly a favourite of this scrambler.

Nearby to Phantom Falls, a further hour or so away via a track through the rainforest is the magical 'The Canyon', a narrow 300 metre/985 feet long natural Canyon barely a couple of metres wide and with sheer rock sides reaching upwards of 8 metres/26 feet. It is not the Grand Canyon but for me it could be because of astonishments in terms of the intimate flora and geology rarely more than an arm's length away. I have spent hours in this compact world. I hope to feature an aspect of 'The Canyon' in an upcoming entry.

Phantom Falls, The Canyon and Hendersons Falls (which featured in my entry of 16th September) form part of a circuitous track that is well suited for a day walk by which you not only experience these tremendous water drops but you are enveloped by the entirety of the genius of this rainforest.