Dights Falls (Abbotsford)

Dights Falls marks the point where salt water from the sea meets the fresh water of the Yarra River.

The original weir at Dights Falls dated back to 1895 when a timber structure was built to provide water to the Melbourne Flour Milling Company. Dight's Ceres Mill, Melbourne's oldest industrial site is also located on the Falls. The Wurundjeri people camped here before European settlement.

Today the weir plays an important role controlling water levels in the Yarra - pooling water for approximately 17 kilometres upstream and protecting important social, economic and environmental values of the river.

It is considered one of the most significant in-stream barriers to native fish passage in Victoria. A rock-fishway constructed at the site in 1993 was no longer effective and was replaced in 2012 with a new fishway. It is where the river's native fish migrate annually from the estuary upstream to freshwater to breed.

The Main Yarra Trail, one of Melbourne's most popular walking and cycling routes passes through Dights Falls.

Facilities at Dights Falls Park include toilets, sheltered areas, seating, drinking fountains and off street parking.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs must be on leash.

Review:

These are the only falls in inner Melbourne and they are not exactly spectacular, only being about two metres high.

There are a number of vantage points to view the falls on the northern side of the river including a viewing platform beside the falls and the walking trail on the southern side of the river. The waterfall is not accessible because the viewing platform blocks access. In the old days before this platform was built you could walk along the wall when the water flows were low.

It is only a short walk to the east to reach the junction of the Merri Creek with the Yarra River.

There is a nice 4km return walk following the Yarra River from Kane's Bridge all the way to Dights Falls through Yarra Bend Park.