Zumsteins - MacKenzie Falls (Grampians National Park) - Wimmera

Zumsteins - MacKenzie Falls (Grampians National Park)

The MacKenzie Falls flow all year. There are two viewpoints, either walk to the base of the falls via a steep trail where water cascades over huge cliffs into a deep pool or the alternative path to a viewing platform at the Bluff which offers great views of the Falls with easy access for people with wheelchairs.

Walk to the base of Mackenzie Falls
Distance: 0.75km
Duration: 30 minutes one way
Track condition: Good
Grade: Steep
Start: MacKenzie Falls car park
Finish: Base of MacKenzie Falls

Walk to MacKenzie Falls Lookout
Distance: 1km
Duration: 20 minutes one way
Track condition: Good
Grade: Gentle
Start: MacKenzie Falls car park
Finish: Lookout area

MacKenzie Falls is roughly 16km west northwest of Halls Gap. It's well signed and a very popular tourist attraction.

Review:

The falls are well worth a visit, especially since they flow the whole year and there are a number of views of the falls; either a scenic view or a close-up at the base of the falls.

At the car park area there are toilets and some unshaded tables.

There are actually a number of walks around the falls area. The easiest route to see the falls is to go to the Mackenzie Falls Lookout which gives a magnificent scenic view of the falls. The gentle grade asphalt path which is in good condition passes through an open eucalypt forest and has some bench seats along the way to rest on.

The walk down to the base of the falls via a very steep path and steps is 635m. 260m down the path is Granages Lookout which provides a view over the top of the falls. The route back from the base of the falls is strenuous and can be very exhausting. When we visited the path was closed at Granages Lookout because there had been a lot of rain recently and the track was submerged. Due to some drownings in the pool at the bottom of the falls, Parks Victoria actively discourages swimming here. This track leads past the falls along the MacKenzie Gorge to the Zumsteins Picnic Area which is 3.5 km one way.

Don't forget to have a look at the cascades of Broken Falls from the lookout point which is only 245m from the car park area. The viewing platform overlooks a series of smaller falls broken by rock pools and large boulders.

The landscape in this area has been shaped by fire. In January 2014, a large lightning storm swept through the Wimmera causing over 40 fires of which seven were within the Grampians National Park. Just south of Mt Stapylton in the north of the park, three fires started in steep inaccessible rocky terrain. Hot weather and unpredictable winds caused the fires to join and form a large bushfire that swept through the northern area of the Park and into private land. The fire burnt 54,790 hectares of National Park and private property. Many areas such as Mackenzie Falls, Mt Difficult, Mt Stapylton and Hollow Mountain were badly damaged.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are not allowed in the Grampians National Park except within vehicles on sealed roads and in sealed parking areas.

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