50 Best Waterfalls in Melbourne and Victoria for Families

Victoria has a range of impressive waterfalls which will reward visitors. Some of the waterfalls are easily accessible and close to roads while other waterfalls require a walk, often passing through beautiful surroundings, to reach. With a bit of effort, families should be able to reach these beautiful waterfalls, some of which are located within Melbourne, many within an easy day trip and others special locations to be visited on family holidays.

The following list of waterfalls are all accessible by families with reasonably short distances from the closest road. The waterfalls are categorised by region and there is a map so you can find the nearest waterfall to you. The best time to visit Victoria's waterfalls is during winter when rainfall is higher or spring when you get increased flows from snow melt in some areas.

Best Waterfalls in Melbourne Region

La La Falls in Warburton is accessible through tall Mountain Ash trees and lush tree ferns, before reaching the picturesque falls. There are stone bridges along the way. The track is 3.2km, 1.5 hrs return. There are some picnic facilities at the beginning of the track but no toilets.



Olinda Falls at Olinda has two viewing platforms. The upper platform is only about 350m walk from the car park. The Lower Falls is a further 140m down stream. It's a lovely location with shady ferns and tall Mountain Ash trees. At the picnic area there is a table and toilets.



Sherbrooke Falls at Sherbrooke in the Dandenongs is accessed by a 2.4 km, 1 hour return walk through an attractive landscape of tall Mountain Ash and tree ferns. The falls are most inspiring after rain when the swollen Sherbrooke Creek rushes over the rocks. The walk starts from either the O'Donohue Picnic Ground or Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.



A 1.5km circuit walking track in the Kinglake National Park winds through forest with big old growth trees and leads to a viewing platform for Wombelano Falls. The water falls down the cliff face into the gully below.



A 700m walk in Kinglake National Park from the Masons Falls Picnic Area leads to scenic views of Mason Falls and the gorge downstream. The falls flow down a big hill in a series of cascades. The falls are viewed from a viewing platform and it is not possible to walk to the base or top of the falls. Masons Falls Picnic Area has BBQs, tables, shelter and toilets.



Dights Falls in Abbotsford is Melbourne's oldest industrial site, Dight's Ceres Mill. These are the only falls in inner Melbourne and they are not exactly spectacular, only being about two metres high. However, you can combine a visit to the falls with a walk around the Yarra Bend Park. You'll also reach Dights Falls when walking or cycling around the Capital City Trail at Abbotsford and they are fairly close to the Collingwood Childrens Farm.



Kings Falls at Main Ridge can be seen along a 1km circuit walk. There is a viewing platform to a waterfall which is partly obscured by vegetation and is best viewed after rain. The walk, which has a series of interpretive signs, is nice and passes through an area of wild cherry trees, grass trees, she-oaks and ferns.

Best Waterfalls in Central Victoria Region

Trentham Falls at Trentham is one of the longest single drop waterfalls in Victoria, plunging some 32 metres over basalt columns. There are panoramic view of the falls from the viewing platform which is only 100m from the carpark. It is often dry during the warmer months and is best viewed during winter. Due to safety reasons there is no access to the top or base of the falls. There is a picnic area with picnic tables, shelter, BBQs and toilets.



Sailors Falls at Sailors Falls, near Daylesford, can be viewed from the road but the falls can be dry at certain times of the year. The falls are best viewed in winter. There is a path with steps which leads down to the bottom of the falls which you can even walk under.



Lal Lal Falls at Lal Lal are about 30m high are best after heavy rain. During prolonged dry periods the falls may not be flowing. A viewing platform provides clear views of the fall but there is no access to the bottom of the falls.



A 5.6km return walk leads past the Lal Lal reservoir to the Moorabool Falls.



Visitors can enjoy scenic views of Turpins Falls at Langley from a lookout located a short walk from the carpark. A 20-30m tall waterfall drops into a pool of calm water. The falls, which are along the Campaspe River, have a reliable flow of water during winter and spring. Access to the top of the falls is permanently closed and access beyond the lookout to the base and rock pool below is via a steep, unmaintained track subject to seasonal closures during autumn due to risk issues. There are no amenities at the reserve.



Stanley Park Falls is set amongst the bushland of Stanley Park. A hidden waterfall runs through the park and cascades down a rocky ledge into a dense bush gully. A wooden viewing platform overlooks the top of the falls and there is a stone path that leads to some stairs down to the fern gully for those seeking a closer view. The park has tables, water tap, shelter with BBQs, seats and toilets.

Best Waterfalls in West & South Gippsland Region

Toorongo and Amphitheatre Waterfalls in Noojee can be seen as part of a loop walk with the larger Toorongo Falls having multiple streams running down a cliff. Amphitheatre Falls has a metal observation platform above the water to give a good view of the waterfall down the face of a big rock. The walk is about one hour.



Agnes Falls at Hazel Park, at 59 m, are the highest single span falls in Victoria. After heavy rain the river falls as a spectacular cascade into the gorge. It is only a 200m walk from the car-park to a viewing area overlooking the falls. There is a small picnic ground and toilets.



North East Victoria

Woolshed Falls near Beechworth has a observation deck offering great views of the falls and the valley below. There is an excellent walk around the perimeter of the Falls that takes in some interesting features and alluvial gold workings. It is also possible to clamber over the rocks at the top level of the falls.



Located in the Beechworth Historic Park, the Beechworth Cascades are a series of waterfalls where Spring Creek drops down into the valley.



Rollasons Falls at Mount Buffalo has an Upper Falls lookout and a Lower Falls and rock pool. Rollasons Falls Track is 4 km (1.5 hours return).



Eurobin Falls and Ladies Bath Falls at Mount Buffalo is reached with a 1.5 km, 45 minutes return walk. The track climbs past the pretty Ladies Bath Falls and onto Lower Eurobin Falls. A steeper track continues up to the base of the Upper Falls.



Gooram Falls near Euroa is a series of two cascades in Seven Creeks which is accessible by a 400m walk from a car park. It is a nice place to picnic or swim during summer.



Bindaree Falls at Mount Buller has a wooden viewing platform which passes behind the falls allowing you to enjoy the curtain of water cascading from the rocks above.



Paradise Falls, located in the Alpine National park near Cheshunt, cascades an uninterrupted 31 metres and is best viewed in spring, early summer or after rain. There is an easy 500m walk to the viewing platform. The track then leads down further to underneath the falls. There are toilet and picnic facilities at the carpark.



Little Falls which has a pretty 17 metre drop is a 20 minutes return walk in the area.

Cudgewa Bluff Falls is located in the Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park near Cudgewa and Tintaldra. To see the water cascade over the Cudgewa Bluff and into a tranquil grotto below is only a 250m walk from the car park. Alternatively, there is a 45 minute walk through bushland with some steep sections to reach the base of the falls from a picnic area. There are picnic facilities and toilets.

Best Waterfalls in North Central Victoria Region

Steavenson Falls in Marysville is one of the tallest waterfalls in Victoria, with 5 cascades, a total descent of 122 metres, the last having a clear drop of more than 21 metres. The steep walk to the top of the falls and back takes approximately 40 minutes and there is a lower viewing platform which is an easier 350m walk. There are toilets near the car park.

The falls opened to tourists in 1866 and today they are a popular attraction both by day and at night, when they are illuminated by floodlights powered by hydro-electricity created by the thundering water.



Take the 4km Cumberland Walk near Marysville which takes you past the Cora Lynn Waterfall which is a cascading style waterfall, that can be viewed from stairs running beside the Falls or from the bottom of the Falls and Cumberland Waterfall where you can get views of the falls from a viewing platform.



Keppel Falls is one of the larger and more spectacular cascading waterfalls around Marysville and is reached by a 2km return walk.



Phantom Falls near Marysville is a smaller cascade style waterfall that is very picturesque. A 400m pathway to the falls passes through beautiful lush bush and passes over two lovely bridges before reaching a viewing platform. Phantom Falls and Keppel Falls are located within one kilometre of each other.



Snobs Creek Falls at Eildon offer spectacular views as they drop more than 100 metres over a series of rocky outcrops. A short walk from the carpark to the base of the Falls includes a number of observation platforms close to the thundering water.



Ferntree Falls near Raglan in the Mount Buangor State Park is nestled among huge ferns and moss covered rocks and can be reached by an easy 250m walk from the picnic ground. There is also a one kilometre Waterfalls Nature Walk which starts at the Ferntree camping area and passes three waterfalls, including the Ferntree Falls and Cascade Falls, and offers great views over the fern-lined upper reaches of the Middle Creek below.

Best Waterfalls in South West Victoria Region

There are a large number of waterfalls in the Otways which is a reflection of the large amount of rain which falls in this area.

Erskine Falls near Lorne cascade over one of the highest drops in the Otways. There is a viewing point above the falls which is only a five minute walk and a steep walking track with 240 steps leads down to the base of the falls.



Stevensons Falls has an elevated viewing platform over the Gillbrand River which is accessible via a 500m track.



Triplet Falls and Little Aire Falls in the Great Otway National Park are set in ancient forests of mountain ash and myrtle beech and can be reached by walks ranging from 1-4 km. Triplet Falls has three distinct and impressive cascades flowing through shady rainforests and glades of mossy tree ferns. There is a side trip to Little Aire Falls which has an eight metre platform.



Hopetoun Falls plummet 30 metres into the Aire River in the Otways amid lush ferns. Take in the view from the upper platform near the car park, or take a 500m walk to the lower platform or descend around 200 steps down a steep path through glades of tree ferns to the base of the falls.



Beauchamp Falls is another lovely waterfall in the Otways which is reached by a 2km long track from the picnic area. The falls which are about 20m high, are best viewed after rain. The walk to the falls can be tricky for younger kids.



Lower Kalimna Falls and Upper Kalimna Falls are reached by a gentle 8.4 km (4 hour) walk which traces the route of an old timber tramway.



In the west of the state, in the Hamilton area, Nigretta Falls at Wannon has a multi-channel cascade of small drops and is next to a car park. The amount of water varies with the time of year. The best time to view the falls is between June and October. There are viewpoints above the falls and steps lead down to the base of the falls where you can swim or fish in the water pools below. There are picnic facilities including toilets.



Wannon Falls at Wannon has a 30 metre single plunge into a deep pool below. There is a viewing platform which offers spectacular views. The amount of water varies with the time of year. The best time to view the falls is between June and October. These falls are close to Nigretta Falls.



MacKenzie Falls at Zumsteins is an ionic waterfall in the Grampians which flows all year. There are two viewpoints, either walk to the base of the falls (750m via a steep path) where water cascades over huge cliffs into a deep pool or to a viewing platform at the Bluff which offers great views of the Falls (1km on level ground). At the car park area there are toilets and some tables.



Along the MacKenzie River, Broken Falls is just upstream from MacKenzie Falls.



A trail leads to Fish Falls further downsteam.



Beehive Falls at Roses Gap in the Grampians is a picturesque waterfall which drops 25 metres into sheltered rock pools surrounded by ferns. It is best after rain and if you visit in spring it is often surrounded by pink and white Grampians Thryptomene flowers. The walk from the Beehive Falls car park to the falls is 2.8km return.



Kalymna Falls is accessed by a 3.2km return walk from the Kalymna campground in the eastern Grampians near Mount William.



Another nice waterfall in the Grampians is Silverband Falls which is accessed by a 700m stroll through a shady, ferny forest.



Also in the Grampians is Splitters Falls which is accessed by a 700m walk in the Halls Gap area or alternatively via a longer 4.6km return walk which passes the delightful Venus Baths, a series of rock pools along Stony Creek on the way to the falls.



The Hopkins Falls at Wangoom plunges down a rocky escarpment. There is a viewing platform offers fantastic viewing opportunities and a track down to the bottom of the falls. The Falls are most spectacular in winter and spring when rainfall is usually at its peak. In summer the water flows over the falls at a much slower pace.

Map of Waterfall Locations:

More than 95 waterfalls which can be visited by families are shown on the map below with links to detailed information about the waterfall.

Books on Victorian Waterfalls

I have personally purchased these books below and highly recommend them for people who love waterfalls and the adventure of finding them. The amount of effort involved in creating these books is immense. Note: I don't receive any commission from sales of these books.

• "Melbourne's Waterfalls - 314 Waterfalls within 100km of Melbourne" by Travis Easton. Buy here ($99.95 for a three book set). These books rate the difficulty of getting to each waterfall and provide very good directions on how to get to each one. However, many of these waterfalls are extremely difficult to get to and require the skills of a hardened adventurer.
  
• "Waterfalls of the Otway Ranges" by Anthony Car. Buy here ($55) This book is not intended as a guide book but does give longitude and latitude of each waterfall but no directions on how to get there. Waterfalls are colour coded as green (family friendly), blue (not very accessible) or red (inaccessible),
  
• "250 Victorian Waterfalls" by by Ray Barber and Ian Wacey. This book is no longer in print but there is a Kindle edition for $34.90. Buy here

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Web Links

→ Victorian Waterfalls With Wheelchair Access

→ 100 Victorian Waterfalls Accessible by a Track


50 Best Waterfalls in Melbourne and Victoria for Families, Melbourne, Victoria,