Beech Forest
Potato growing area on the northern edge of
the Otway Ranges
Located 193 km south-west of Melbourne and 43 km
south of Colac on the northern edge of the Otway
Ranges, Beech Forest is a tiny township which
achieved its moment of national fame in 1983
when a 61-year-old local potato farmer, Cliff
Young, won a race from Sydney to Melbourne.
The town, self-evidently, was named after the
Beech (myrtle) trees which abound in the local
area. It was first settled by Europeans in the
1880s as a result of pressure to open the Otway
Ranges to settlement. The first land selection
occurred in 1884 and the first pub was built
four years later. It is claimed that J.W.
Gardner, who built the Ditchley Park Hotel
around this time, completed the 14-room
structure using the timber from a single giant
mountain ash. With this kind of timber Beech
Forest quickly became a major centre for the
local timber industry. There were 29 timber
mills in district at one point.
This was compounded when, in 1902, the
railway from Colac arrived. It was a narrow
gauge railway and when it was extended to Crowes
it became the longest narrow gauge railway in
Victoria. The railway provided transport for
local timber and huge stands of beech, blackwood
and ash were cut down.
During the period from the end of World War I
the town became a major centre for potato
production. In 1919 a bushfire destroyed the
town. It was rebuilt to the east of the original
site.
Today it is the administrative centre for the
Shire of Otway and is surrounded by pine
plantations which sustain the local timber
industry.
Things to see:
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Triplet Falls
4 km west of Beech Forest, 200 metres before you
reach the main intersection, turn left into
Phillips Track. Follow the signs then turn right
into Youngs Creek Track and follow it for 100
metres to the carpark. Follow the walking track
downstream to Triplet Falls which tumble in
three stages (hence the name of the falls) over
the rocks.
Beauchamp Falls , Hopetoun Falls and the
Aire River
2 km east of Beech Forest, along Turtons Track,
is a turnoff into Aire Valley Plantation Road
which heads south off the main road. A
signposted turnoff leads to Beauchamp Falls
Scenic Reserve where there are picnic facilities
and a one-hour walking track. Further south
along Aire Valley Road is another turnoff (also
signposted) to Hopetoun Falls. The road
continues south down the valley to the Aire
River crossing where there are picnic tables,
fireplaces and toilets. The river is recommended
for fishing. The road from Beech Forest through
to Apollo Bay on the coast is also delightful.
Drive to Forrest
Head east of Beech Forest along Turtons Track
which is a beautiful route through thick
rainforest vegetation. After 16 km it reaches a
T-intersection with the Colac-Apollo Bay Road.
Turn left. After 2 km turn right to visit Mt
Sabine Fire Tower Reserve, offering outstanding
views of the Otways and the coast.
Return to the main road and continue north
for 9 km to Barramunga. At the school camp turn
left to Stevensons Falls and picnic area.
Return to the main road once again and
continue north for 5 km. A turnoff on the right
leads to West Barwon Dam Reserve where there is
a carpark, picnic tables and toilets. This dam
is the major water supply for
Geelong.
2 km further north is the timber town of
Forrest where there is a pub and an office of
the Department of Natural Resources and
Environment, tel: (03) 5236 6204. Either can
give you directions to Lake Elizabeth which was
created in 1953 (the year of Queen Elizabeth's
coronation) as the result of a massive
landslide. It is home to a number of platypuses
and there are camping and picnicking facilities.
