The best waterfalls in Victoria

There’s nothing quite like the walk towards Mackenzie Falls. Found smack bang in the middle of the dry and craggy Grampians National Park, Mackenzie Falls is a gorgeous surprise. You’ll hear the falls before you actually see them as you descend down the steep yet well-marked path. Eventually, you’ll set eyes on the cascade, which thunders over a vertical slab of rock into a deep pool of fresh water.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Where to find: Grampians National Park

The Otway Ranges close to the Great Ocean Road is filled with waterfalls, and Erskine Falls is certainly one of the best. Located a short ten-kilometre drive from Lorne, this thunderous waterfall plunges about 30 metres down into the gully of the Erskine River. You can view it from two lookouts: the upper lookout is an easy five minutes from the car park, and the lower lookout is a steeper descent to the base of the falls. For the adventurous types, there’s a 23-kilometre hike that takes you past a few smaller falls near Erskine as well.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Lorne

Sheoak Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls near Lorne and is a perfect stopping point if you're driving along Great Ocean Road. On your journey to the falls, you'll pass through coastal woodlands and wet forests. The walk is short and fairly easy for beginner hikers, and if you feel like a longer trek you can continue up the trail to see Swallow Cave. You might be lucky enough to spot Tree Martins, which are adorable and slender swallows that use mud from the creek to build their nests. 

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Lorne

Trentham Falls is located in the Hepburn Shire, near Daylesford, and has the distinct honour of being one of the longest single drop waterfalls in Victoria. Head in after a good downpour and you’ll see water gushing some 32 metres over 40,000-year-old basalt cliffs. The falls are also very easy to get to – follow signs to the Trentham Falls car park, then it’s just a short walk down a signposted path towards the viewing area.

Distance from Melbourne: One hour
Where to find: Trentham

Located just outside of Noojee in Gippsland, the tiered Toorongo Falls cascades for 25 metres past lush rainforest, rocky cliffs and tall mountain grey gums. You can trek uphill for 750 metres to the viewing platform for spectacular views, but we reckon the best way to view this powerful force of nature is via the 2.2 kilometre scenic loop trail, which also takes in nearby Amphitheatre Falls. 

Distance from Melbourne: 1.5 hours
Where to find: Noojee

Situated nearly 200 kilometres out of Melbourne you'll find the highest single span falls in Victoria. Agnes Falls cascades 59 metres down and over rocks into a deep gorge, and the walk there takes you through a beautiful blue gum forest. It's the perfect spot for a picnic, so pack a lunch and prepare to take in the view. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of native wildlife that call this area home. 

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Where to find: Hazel Park

Up north towards Beechworth is where you’ll find Woolshed Falls, in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. It’s in this area where thousands of miners lived during the height of the Gold Rush in the 1850s. The falls themselves are a short walk from the car park, and you’ll be able to see water gush over weathered rocks into waiting rock pools below. The water can be especially gushy after a heavy rain, but be careful on the rocks as they will be slippery.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Where to find: Beechworth

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds at Erskine Falls, we’d suggest Triplet Falls. Located a little further down the coast, it features three cascades that flow through mossy tree ferns and ancient rainforest. Follow the allocated two-kilometre loop trail from the Triplet Falls car park for an easy to moderate one-hour walk in the wild. A series of elevated viewing platforms means there are plenty of epic photo ops.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Wyelangta

Another Otway National Park wonder is Hopetoun Falls, a 30-metre-tall waterfall that plummets into the Aire River. Visitors can descend via a well-maintained set of stairs that lead to a viewing platform that’s within spitting distance of the foot of the falls. And when we say spitting distance, we mean it. Prepare to get wet. The walk is a one-kilometre return trip, which should only take about 30 minutes.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Cape Otway

Wannon Falls is classified as a punchbowl waterfall, meaning water descends in a single 30-metre-tall flow into a big “punchbowl”-looking pool. It’s located just west of Hamilton, in western Victoria. The waterfall is fed by the Wannon River, and you’ll learn a lot about the local flora, fauna and Koori history while there. While in the area, we suggest visiting the local Nigretta Falls as well.

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Where to find: Wannon

Probably one of the most accessible waterfalls on this list can be found near Marysville. Steavenson Falls is one of the state’s tallest waterfalls, dropping a total of 84 metres into the Steavenson River valley. Visitors can walk the short 350 metres towards the viewing platform under the falls, where you can see a consistently strong flow cascading over tiered rock platforms. If you’re up for it, there’s a steep track that leads up to the top of the falls and gives a great view of the nearby mountain peaks. Continue your walk over towards the Keppell Lookout (13 kilometre return) or head to the tree fern gully (eight kilometre return). 

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Marysville

Did you know there's a waterfall just on the outskirts of Geelong? That's right! Buckley Falls (which, to be fair, more closely resembles a series of rapids) is a scenic spot that's home to thriving birdlife – keep an eye out for tawny frogmouths, rainbow lorikeets and gang-gang cockatoos. It's easily accessible and you can explore the area on foot or by bike, with plenty of trails to follow. The Fyansford Paper Mills is not far away, and it's the perfect spot to refuel and check out the makers hub.

Distance from Melbourne: One hour
Where to find: Highton

Descending towards Beauchamp Falls can feel a little like you’re falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. The good news is the reward is one of Victoria’s best-hidden waterfalls. Take the marked path through mountain ash forests, down a constructed staircase and over a few rocks and you’ll reach this awe-inspiring 20-metre tall cascade. The rocks will be slippery when wet, and keep in mind the walk back is a little steep, so take your time.

Distance from Melbourne: Two hours
Where to find: Beech Forest

Just 20 minutes out of Ballarat is where you'll find Lal Lal Falls, a powerful waterfall that splashes down into a large gorge. It's the ideal spot for a day trip – the surrounding grassy reserve boasts a playground, picnic tables, barbecues and toilets. For the perfect photo op, there's an easy 200 metre trail that leads to a viewing platform. If you've got time, you may also want to check out nearby Moorabool Falls and Granite Falls, both impressive in their own rights.

Distance from Melbourne: 1.5 hours
Where to find: Lal Lal

There are three very good reasons you should visit Fish Falls in the Grampians. One: the falls themselves, which cascade about 60 metres over several terraced rocks and collect in a gorgeous black pool down below. Two: the walk is just challenging enough to make a day of it. It’s a 4.6-kilometre return walk that starts at the Zumsteims car park and follows the MacKenzie River upstream with pleasant views across deep gullies. And three: it’s a significantly less crowded spot than the neighbouring Mackenzie Falls – score!

Distance from Melbourne: Three hours
Where to find: Grampians National Park