25 Best waterfalls in Victoria For Your Next Walk, Hike or Picnic
There are so many beautiful waterfalls in Victoria that we really are spoiled for choice. They make a great day trip out or even a weekend getaway depending on where you live or are based. Check out our list of the best Victorian waterfalls below!
Waterfalls in Victoria
Many of the waterfalls in Victoria are easily accessible, and have easy to moderate walks or hikes, making it perfect for beginners or families. Some of these Victorian waterfalls have short walks to viewpoints, so they make a great stopover if passing by.
Following on from our post on the best waterfalls in Melbourne, which covers those closer to the city, this post covers a long list of the best waterfalls in Victoria all around the state.
Note that the waterfalls close to the centre are nice for a day out from Melbourne, but if you are looking for the more larger, beautiful and best waterfalls in Victoria you may have to venture a little further out.
Find some of the most beautiful and best waterfalls in Victoria for your next walk or hike. Here we have broken the Victorian waterfalls into the following:
- Waterfalls in Victoria – Near Melbourne
- Waterfalls in Victoria – Great Ocean Road & Otway’s
- Waterfalls in Victoria – Mornington Peninsula
- Waterfalls in Victoria – Grampians National Park
- Waterfalls in Victoria – Daylesford, Goldfields & Macedon Ranges
- Waterfalls in Victoria – High Country
Waterfalls in Victoria – Near Melbourne
Waterfalls in Victoria within a short drive from Melbourne city.
1. Dights Falls, Abbotsford
The only waterfall in the city of Melbourne is Dights Falls which you can find in Yarra Bend Park just down from the junction of Merri Creek along the Yarra River.
It is a beautiful spot for a family walk, picnic or BBQ and it is also dog friendly so you can bring your pooch along.
Yarra Bend Park is also known for being home to a huge colony of Grey Headed Flying Foxes and depending on the time of year, there can be anywhere between 3000-50,000 bats in the colony.
2. Sherbrooke Falls, Dandenong Ranges
A short drive from Melbourne in the Dandenong Ranges National Park not far from the famous Puffing Billy Railway, you will find the beautiful Sherbrook Falls. Another great spot to bring food and have a picnic.
The walk to the falls is quite easy, there are just a few steps when crossing the bridge to get to the falls, so a good one for families. The falls themselves are not huge, but still nice to visit, they best to view in the Winter and Autumn months, or after a good rainfall.
3. Olinda Falls, Dandenong Ranges
Another waterfall in Victoria close to Melbourne is Olinda Falls. Just an hour from Melbourne you can take an easy relaxing walk through the beautiful forests. There are two parts, you can either walk to the viewing platform and stop there, or you can continue on just a little further to the base of the falls.
You will find picnic tables and plenty of shade to have some lunch and spend the afternoon.
4. Mason Falls, Kinglake
Just north of Melbourne in the Kinglake National Park you can find Mason Falls. With views of the Melbourne skyline, the Yara Valley and Port Phillip Bay, it makes a great day out for a walk and picnic.
There is a large picnic area set under the gumtrees with shelter and lots of picnic tables, and free BBQ facilities.
The walk to the falls is quite easy with a few uneven spots, but still ok to bring a pram and you can reach them in about half an hour.
The best time to visit is in Winter or Autumn after some good rainfall, during the summer they are quite dry.
5. Steavenson Falls, Marysville
Steavenson Falls in Marysville (the gateway to Lake Mountain Resort), is the tallest cascading waterfall in Victoria at 84mtres high. They are split into five cascades with one plunging into the rockpool below.
Just an easy 700 metre walk along the gravel path from the carpark you can view the cascading falls into the Steavenson River Valley.
The falls can be enjoyed at any time of the day, all through to the evening with lights on until 11pm every night.
Waterfalls in Victoria – Great Ocean Road & Otway Ranges
Waterfalls in Victoria along the Great Ocean Road, from Lorne to the Otway Ranges and beyond.
6. Erskine Falls
Arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Lorne and along the Great Ocean Road is Erskin Falls, one of the highest drops in the Otways. It is one of the best things to do near Lorne and nearby areas and we have been here many times over the years.
The walk to arrive at the falls is only about 5 minutes, where you can view them from the viewing point. There is also a walking track with 240 steps which leads to the base of the falls. Some parts of the walk are unsteady and there are stones and rocks to walk over so it might be difficult with little ones.
7. Stevenson Waterfalls
One of the most famous waterfalls in the Otways is Stevensons Falls which is a massive 122 metres high. There are two different trails which start from the picnic area.
The first is great for families with young children as it is only around 500 metres and you will hear the falls before you arrive to the viewing area as there are five stunning cascades.
There is also a longer option which is just under 5kms. For those looking for a longer hike, it is a beautiful trail and well worth it.
There is a great camping area near Stevenson falls, one of the best spots for free camping along the Great Ocean Road.
8. Phantom Falls
One of the best waterfalls in Victoria near Lorne is the stunning Phantom Falls. These 15 metre falls on the St George River are well worth the 90 minute walk through the ferns and eucalyptus trees to reach.
The track is 3.4km long and is mostly uphill so it probably isn’t the best for families with young kids. But for older ones, or those with hiking experience, you will be rewarded with some spectacular scenery.
9. Triplet Falls
Another spectacular waterfall in Victoria’s Otway Ranges is Triplet falls. It is a great one to visit for for families and beginners. The loop which takes you through some beautiful scenery, is just 2kms and takes around an hour.
There are elevated viewing platforms with breathtaking views of the three cascades
10. Beauchamp Falls
For those looking for a bit more of a challenging walk, Beauchamp Falls, in the Otways is a 3km track worth every second. Best to visit after heavy rain, the track is postcard material filled with blackwood trees and stunning ferns.
The walk leading you down to the falls is quite quick, however there is a steep path back up so allow time for that. It isn’t an easy one, but you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the 20 metre waterfalls from a viewing platform.
Beauchamp Falls is just under an hour inland from Apollo Bay.
11. Hopetoun Falls
Hopetoun Falls in the Great Otway National Park is quite easy to visit.
You can view the falls plummet 30 metres into the Aire River from the upper platform which is only a 20 metre walk from the car park.
Or for those who want to take a walk, you can head down to the lower platform which is around 1km and a half an hour return trip. The way up is a steep climb but not too difficult.
Waterfalls in Victoria – Mornington Peninsula
Waterfalls in Victoria along the Mornington Peninsula, south east of Melbourne.
12. Kings Waterfall
If you find yourself looking for things to do on the Mornington Peninsula, make sure to check out Kings Waterfall in Arthurs Seat State Park. These beautiful falls are perfect for young families.
The scenic circuit walk is around 40 minutes and the walk takes you through a gorgeous fern gully where you can spot lots of wildlife.
The falls themselves are best to view after a lot of rain, during the summer time they can be very dry.
Waterfalls in Victoria – Grampians
Waterfalls in Victoria near the Grampians National Park
13. MacKenzie Falls
Arguably one of the best waterfalls in Victoria, or at least in the Grampians National Park, is MacKenzie Falls which are spectacular all year round. Plummeting from a 40 metre cliff down to the below pool, they are just stunning to watch.
The walking track is quite steep and includes 260 steps down to the falls, so not really suitable for little feet, but older children should be ok. Our kids have been walking to these waterfalls independently from around 5 years old. You can even have a dip in the rockpools below.
There is another alternative which is a 2km trail, pram and wheelchair friendly, taking you to the MacKenzie Falls lookout. One of the best things to do in the Grampians.
14. Kalymna Falls
Another great waterfall to visit in the Grampians is Kalymna Falls which are a 20-25m segmented waterfall and are accessed from the Kalymna camping ground.
The track is an easy 3km round trip so it is perfect for beginners and children. Note that the Kalymna Falls in the Grampians are best to visit after lots of rain or during the winter months. In summer they can get quite dry.
15. Clematis Falls
Clematis Falls is one of the smaller waterfalls in the Grampians but still worth a visit if you are in the area. The track is an easy 1km walk from the Halls Gap cricket ground so another good one for families and beginners.
16. Silverband Falls
Another easy walk that is great for families is to Silverband Falls. An easy 1.4km return, and mostly flat, it is around 40 minutes round trip, depending on how long you stay at the falls. The walk itself is gorgeous and the lush forest scenery is breathtaking. Best in spring to view the wildflowers.
Waterfalls in Victoria – Daylesford, Goldfields, Macedon Ranges
Waterfalls in Victoria’s west that are worth a visit.
17. Trentham Falls
One of the longest single drop waterfalls in Victoria is at Trentham Falls which plunge 32 metres. Best viewed in winter, these waterfalls will take your breath away.
The walk is quite easy from the carpark, through the bush to the viewing area. Note that there is no access to the falls because of the unstable cliffs however the view is worth the walk.
These falls make a great day out when you visit Hanging Rock.
18. Sailors Falls
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Victoria near Daylesford is Sailors Falls. There is a lovely picnic area with undercover tables where you can look out to the falls which is perfect for families. There is also a lower look out where you can descend the stairs in just a few minutes.
Sailors Falls are great to visit all year round however there is much more water in the winter and spring. Although you can’t swim at these waterfalls, there are some cute rockpools where you can dip your feet and relax.
Sailors Falls is just 40 minutes from Ballarat where there are plenty of things to do to for a day trip or even weekend away.
19. Ferntree Waterfall
Ferntree Waterfalls in Buangor State Park makes the perfect setting for a family picnic. To arrive it is an easy 250metre walk through the forest. The picnic area has picnic tables, wood fire bbqs and toilets. There is even a camping area where you can book if you want to spend the night. The falls are best after rain.
20. Turpins Falls
If you are looking for a waterfall in Victoria with beautiful scenic views, Turpin falls is worth a visit. Set on the Campaspe River, the falls flow over a 20 metre high rock wall that surrounds a pool flowing downstream.
There is a viewing platform at the top of the waterfalls, however it is also possible to walk to the base of the falls.
Waterfalls in Victoria – High Country
21. Woodshed Falls
Woodshed falls are located just a ten-minute drive north of Beechworth and an hour from Bright, and offer a scenic spot where you can take in the cascading waters, enjoy a relaxed picnic, or explore the surrounding historic gold-mining area on a self-guided walk.
There is an observation deck that overlooks the falls and the valley below, with views that are especially impressive after a heavy rain. Make sure to wear sturdy footwear and take care on the rocks as they can be slippery, and ensure the kids are supervised at all times.
22. Raymond Creek Falls
Raymond Creek Falls in the Snowy River National Park are reachable in about 30-40 minutes via a mostly easy walking track with some steps just before the falls.
There is a great picnic area picnic tables, BBQ’s and toilets. You can also find a camping area.
23. Dandongadale Falls
The longest waterfalls in Victoria is Dandongadale Falls in the Alpine National Park with a drop of 255 metres. The falls are located on the Cobbler Plateau sitting 1240mtres above sea level right in front of the Cobbler Lake. The road is best accessed by road and you will need a 4 wheel drive. It is closed in the winter.
24. Paradise Falls
Just 20 minutes from the township of Whitfield, another spectacular waterfall in Victoria’s Alpine National park, these 31 metre cascades provide the best views in winter and spring or after heavy rain.
You can access the falls by car, and then the walk is just 500mtres from the car park, fairly easy with some steep sections.
There are some picnic facilities at the car park so it makes a great spot to stop for lunch.
25. Eurobin Falls & Ladies Bath Falls
One of the best waterfalls in Victoria in the Mount Buffalo National Park, Eurobin falls is a 1.5km return hike and takes around an hour all up. The track is moderate getting steeper towards the falls and passes the Ladies Bath Falls which makes a great stop to take a dip on the way back.
Chasing Waterfalls in Victoria
Well, there you have it, our list of the best waterfalls in Victoria. So if you are looking for a getaway from Melbourne to get up close to nature, go on a walk or a hike, and see some gorgeous waterfalls, there is plenty of choice.
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