17.2 Hopetoun Falls - Aire Valley

This information has been developed from the publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage (external site) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	17-235168. Six kilometres south of Beech Forest.	Hopetoun Falls.
Access:	Aire Valley Road, Oregon Road.
Ownership:	Crown land (Reserved Forest).
Geology/Geomorphology:	This is a single fall of 20 metres with a slight overhang. The falls have developed on massive sandstone beds and are determined by strong vertical jointing. A gorge extends below the falls for approximately 100 metres. Outcrop on the walls of the gorge display spheroidal weathering which is not related to concretions. Downstream from the falls the valley widens and forms an alluvial flat with a distinct boulder terrace bordering the river channel.
Significance:	Regional. The falls show clearly structural control of landform and the spheroidal weathering of the sandstone is unusual in the Otway area. The alluvial valley and gravel terrace are important in analysis of river regime and history.

Boulder terrace (pecked line) of Aire River below Hopetoun Falls.	Spheroidal weathering of arkose at Hopetoun Falls.	Hopetoun Falls

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