Aren't waterfalls wonderful? Is it the thunder of the water, the fine mist rainbows, the rugged cliff faces, the pools, the rivers, the moss covered rocks, the ferns or the forests that capture our imagination? Victoria is rich in these natural wonders, some easily accessible with amenities and others along picturesque walks.
Hopetoun Falls (Photo by Leonard Koh (Own work) CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Popular since the 1860's the
Steavenson Falls off Falls Road are floodlit between dusk and midnight. The viewing platform at the base of the falls is only 350 metres from the Falls Road carpark.
2. In the Yarra Ranges National Park, the tiered
Keppel Falls discovered in the 1880's are accessed on a 2km return walk from the Keppel Falls car park on Lady Talbot Drive. The falls are at their best during spring after snow melt and rains.
Nigretta Falls (Photo by Mikeybear (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
off Aire Valley Road, Beech Forest, can be seen from a viewing platform accessed by a strenuous 3km walk. These 20 metre falls drop to a picturesque pool in mountain ash forest. There is a picnic area at the start of the walk.
4. Also off Aire Valley Road, Beech Forest,
Hopetoun Falls drop 30 metres into the Aire River. View the falls from an upper platform a short 20 metres from the carpark or tackle the 200 stairs to the base of the falls, a walk of 1km taking around an hour return.
MacKenzie Falls (Photo by SkareMedia (Own work) CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
off Lavers Hill-Beech Forest Road, Wyelangta are unique. These falls drop in three separate and distinct cascades through mountain ash and beech forest. A one hour, 2km loop walk accesses a series of viewing platforms over the cascades.
6. Only 10 minutes walk from the Sheoak Falls Carpark off Allenvale Road, Lorne,
Sheoak Falls flow down a jagged rock face to a deep pool. To appreciate the falls and the surrounding area embark on the 2.2km, 1 hour Sheoak Falls – Swallow Cave Walk where in spring and autumn you may get a chance to see nesting birds.
Erskine Falls (Photo by Alpapad (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
are a little less accessible but no less spectacular than others in the park. An 8km, 4 hour return walk which follows an old timber railway leaves from the Sheoak Picnic Area off Allenvale Road Lorne.
8. Erskine Falls off Erskine Falls, Lorne drop 30 metres to a tree fern gully. They acquired some notoriety in the 19th century when author of 'The Jungle Book,' Rudyard Kipling visited the area in 1891 and mentioned Lorne and the Erskine Falls in a short poem. The lookout over the falls is only a 5 minute walk from the carpark while the base of the falls can be accessed from a set of 240 stairs.
Erskine Falls scenic surrounds (Photo by Karen Clarke Ng CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Straw Falls are 400 metres downstream of Erskine Falls and can be seen from the 7.5km Erskine River track from the Erskine Falls to Lorne.
10. Phantom Falls are a 15 metre falls accessed from the Allenvale Road car park around 2kms from Lorne.
11. The Cora Lyn Cascades are a picturesque stepped falls are accessed by a 4km, 90 minute strenuous walk from the Blanket Leaf car park off Erskine Road.
Beauchamp Falls (Photo by JJ Harrison (jjharrison89@facebook.com) (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
off Northern Grampians Road, Zumsteins, these wide falls drop over a rugged cliff face. The falls which flow all year round can be seen from the Bluff viewing platform at the end of a 1km path or from the base of the falls which are reached by a steep path. MacKenzie falls are renowned for fine sprays of rainbow mist.
13. Silverband Falls off Silverband Road, Bellfield drop not to a river or pool but to dry ground. Accessed by a 700 metre walk from the car park the narrow falls fed by Dairy Creek disappear into rocks at the base and do not resurface for another 50 metres.
Silverband Falls disappear underground before resurfacing 50 metres further on (Photo copyright Gayle Beveridge)
off Roses Gap Road, Roses Gap a 2.8km, one and a half hour return walk along the Mud Hut Creek leads up rock steps and on the Beehive Falls which are at their best in after rain. Rest at the rock pools before returning.
15. Nigretta Falls off Wannon-Nigretta Fall Road, Hamilton a short detour from the Glenelg Highway, can be a trickle or a torrent. They can be viewed from the top where there are BBQ and picnic facilities or from the base which is accessed by a stairway. Swimming and fishing in the pools at the base of the falls are popular pastimes.
Wannon Falls (Photo by Mikeybear (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
off Wannon-Nigretta Fall Road, Hamilton are fed by the Wannon River. Water drops 30 metres from a precipice of lava rock into a deep plunge pool. Take in to beauty of the falls and surrounding area from the viewing platform and read about the history and geology of the area on the interpretive signs.
17. Ferntree Falls in Mount Buangor State Park, Ferntree Gully Road, Middle Creek set amidst blue gums and ferns are near a camping area and are accessed by a 1km, 45 minute return walk.
Beehive Falls (Photo by Muddygirl77 (Own work) CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
in the Srezlecki ranges off Agnes Falls Road, Hazel Park have a 59 metre drop. A viewing area overlooks the falls and there are picnic facilities on the banks of the Agnes River.
19. In the Snowy River National Park off Moresford Road,
Raymond Creek Falls which drop 20 metres to a deep pool are accessed along a 1km, 1 hour walk with some steps from the Raymond Creek Falls picnic area. For serious hikers there are walks of 10kms and 20kms.
20. Narracan Falls off Falls Road, Narracan are a popular swimming hole. There are BBQ and picnic facilities and the falls are visible from the carpark.
Narracan Falls (Photo by Savigew (Taken by W. Savige) Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
at 640 Toorongo Road, Nojee can be accessed on a 2.2km circular track. A viewing platform overlooks the falls.
22. Ampitheatre Falls is accessed on the same track as the Toorongo Falls.
Trentham Falls (Photo by Mattinbgn (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
In the Dandenong Ranges on Melbourne's doorstep
Sherbrooke Falls, which are at their best after rain can be reached via a 2.4km, 1 hour return walk from either the Sherbrooke or Donohue Picnic Grounds on Sherbrooke Lodge Road. Superb Lyrebirds make their home here and are often seen along the walk.
Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges
24. Sailors Falls off the Ballan-Daylesford Road, Daylesford can be seen from the road but may be dry at some times of the year. The falls drop from an overhang so it is possible to walk behind them. There is interpretive signage, an undercover picnic table, public toilets, and walking tracks.
Sailors Falls (Photo by Mattinbgn (talk · contribs) (Own work) CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Off Trentham Falls Road, Trentham in the Wombat State Forest you will discover
Trentham Falls, which at 32 metres is one of the longest single drop falls in Victoria. There are BBQ's, picnic tables and public toilets at the Trentham Falls Reserve.
Near Warrnambool
26. Hopkins Falls are curtain falls just 15kms from Warrnambool on Hopkins Falls Road, Cudgee are at their best in winter. They can be appreciated from two viewing platforms at top and another below. Although the Hopkins Falls only has a 12 metre drop over basalt rocks they are an impressive 90 metres wide. Visit during winter and you may see eels jumping up the ledges on their annual migration. There are BBQ and picnic facilities and public toilets at the top of Hopkins Falls.
