Where to find 25 amazing waterfalls in Victoria
Want to know where to find the best waterfalls in Victoria? This state has cascading falls of all sizes. Lace up your boots and follow the soothing sound of water to these top falls.
If it’s one thing Victoria has, it’s an abundance of spectacular waterfalls.
The best time to see these falls is in winter and spring after decent rainfall. However, most of Victoria’s waterfalls flow all year round.
Some are a short walk from a car park, others require a dedicated hike for access.
Remember – safety barriers are there for a reason. Don’t wander to the edges of cliffs. Keep on the path and don’t ever swim alone. Waterfalls, like other bodies of water in Australia have dangerous currents.
These tips on beach safety in Australia can be applied to many other swimming spots in the country.
Discover where to go for the flow. Here’s some of the best waterfalls in Victoria.
The best waterfalls in Victoria
MacKenzie Falls
The largest waterfall in Victoria can be found within Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park in Victoria’s northwest.
It’s the only waterfall in the park that flows year round.
You can choose from a few different walks to see the falls – either to the lookout platform, or take the steep climb to the falls’ base.
Fish Falls
These 60-metre long cascading falls are also found in Garweird.
You can access them via a 4.6 kilometre walk from the Zumsteims car park.
You could tack on a few extra days of your Silo Art Trail road trip to take a hike in Gariwerd.
Trentham Falls
Trentham Falls drop 32 metres, making them one of the longest single drop waterfalls in the state.
You can’t access the top or base of the falls, but there is a viewing area, which is a short walk from the carpark.
This waterfall is best seen in winter and make sure you pop into the town of Trentham before or after. It’s one of the loveliest small towns in Victoria.
Hopetoun Falls
If you’re after one of the best waterfalls in Victoria in terms of aesthetic beauty, it’s a bit hard to beat Hopetoun Falls.
Located in Great Otway National Park, these falls are located in a rainforest setting, surrounded by friendly ferns and lush plantlife.
You can look down on the falls from the upper-viewing deck or descend to a lookout at the base.
Waterfall chasing is one of the best things to do on the Great Ocean Road.
Erskine Falls
The equally beautiful Erskine Falls is one of the most popular in the area, only 15 minutes from Lorne.
There’s two lookouts to enjoy the falls from. One is easy to access. You’ll need to climb down 230 steps to the second lookout, but it’s totally worth it.
From there, you can take the Erskine River Walk to Lorne, which is 7.5 kilometres long.
Phantom Falls
You can also choose to walk the 3.5 kilometres to Phantom Falls and back.
It’s moderately challenging, but the reward is the scenic 15 metre falls, which cascade into the St George River.
If you’re an experienced walker, you can continue on to Cora Lynn Cascades at the base of the falls.
Sheoak Falls
These Falls are a little different to others in the area – the waters of Sheoak Creek fall down a rock face into a pool surrounded by trees.
While it’s a short distance from the car park to the falls, there’s opportunities for longer walks. You can continue up the trail to see Swallow Cave, which does require a river crossing, so probably best to avoid this trail in winter.
Alternatively, you can reach the falls from Sheoak Picnic Area. It’s 3.6 kilometres, one way.
Triplet Falls
Hidden within Great Otway National Park is another set of gorgeous falls.
Triplet Falls are nestled within ancient rainforest and can be accessed via the Triplet Falls Walk.
It’s a short but scenic walk at only 1.8 kilometres, which should take around 45 minutes to complete.
Beauchamp Falls
This 20 metre high waterfall is also located within Great Otway National Park. It’s clearly the place to go if you want to see the best waterfalls in Victoria.
The 3 kilometre walk to the waterfall is somewhat challenging, as it’s steep and there are stairs that can be slippery when wet (and this is a rainforest, so it’s wet quite a lot of the time).
Your reward is passing through mountain ash forest, verdant ferns, large myrtle beech and blackwood, as you make your way to these stunning falls.
Hopkins Falls
Hopkins Falls is located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, right near the town of Warrnambool.
They’re one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. There’s a dedicated viewing platform, or you can take them in at the foot of the falls.
While they’re at their most impressive after rainfall in winter, baby eels migrate upstream and over the falls in the summer. Time your visit right and you may see them on their journey.
Discover other things to do in Warrnambool, while you’re in the area.
The Cascades
This gorgeous waterfall is located in Metcalfe – around a half hour drive from Castlemaine, not that far from the regional city of Bendigo.
The falls cascade over bedrock, creating little pools and bigger swimming holes.
Bring a picnic and dip your toes into a rock pool, to cool down in the warmer months. Or visit in winter to see the falls at optimal flow.
If you’re in the area, you should consider popping into Kyneton, one of my personal favourite places in Victoria.
Woolshed Falls
These massive falls are located in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
The falls are part of Australia’s gold rush history, as it was discovered that alluvial gold collected behind the waterfall’s plunge pool (bad news for the surrounding environment).
Today, it’s possible to take a historic walk near the falls, to view the alluvial gold workings.
You can see them on a visit to Beechworth, after driving through the Snowy Valleys Way.
Sailors Falls
Sailors Falls is a waterfall right near the town of Daylesford.
It drops straight into a fern-filled gully, before flowing down to Hepburn Regional Park.
This region is spa country and there are two mineral spring taps in the area, along with an undercover picnic area.
For more, check out my guide to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.
Lal Lal Falls
Lal Lal Falls is an impressive waterfall located just 20 minutes from Ballarat.
The falls drop into a rocky gorge. There are actually three waterfalls in the area, although Lal Lal is the most impressive.
The area is an important part of local Indigenous lore, said to be the birthplace of Bunjil, a creator deity often represented as a wedge-tailed eagle.
You can make an easy stop at Lal Lal Falls on your way to Ballarat from Melbourne.
Here are a few ideas for what else you can get up to in Ballarat.
Sherbrooke Falls
These falls can be found in the Sherbrooke Forest, which itself is part of Dandenong Ranges National Park.
You can access them via the Sherbrooke Falls Trail, which starts at Sherbrooke Picnic Ground. It’s a 1.2 kilometre walk to the falls – around 30 minutes each way.
Those wanting a more challenging hike can take the Sherbrooke Falls Loop Walk. At 7.6 km, it will take you past the falls twice.
Time your visit to just after rain, to increase your chances of seeing wildlife. Keep a particular ear and eye out for Superb Lyrebirds, which have been spotted in the area.
Check out these falls as part of a day or weekend trip to the Dandenong Ranges.
Olinda Falls
The other notable waterfall in the area, Olinda Falls is located within Olinda Reserve.
It’s about a ten-minute walk to the falls, which have a viewing platform. There’s also spectacular views from here of the surrounding landscape.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens are nearby, along with the township of – you guessed it – Olinda.
Note: These falls may be currently inaccessible due to flood damage. Check before you head out.
La La Falls
La La Falls are located right near the town of Warburton, east of Melbourne.
Take a short stroll through rainforest to take in these falls in all their cascading glory.
I recommend visiting in autumn, to see the gorgeous golden hues which erupt in Warburton at this time of the year.
Steavenson Falls
It’s a short walk to one of Victoria’s best waterfalls – a mere 700 metres to the viewing platforms.
This waterfall is located 3 kilometres outside the town of Marysville, which is an easy side trip from the Yarra Valley.
You can even visit when it’s dark. The path and falls are floodlit between dusk and midnight.
If you want more of a challenge, you can jump on the Tree Fern Gully Trail from Gallipoli Park in Marysville, which leads to Steavenson Falls Scenic Reserve.
It’s about a 1.5 hour return walk; 3.4 kilometres one way.
A visit to these towering falls is one of the best things to do in the Yarra Valley.
Masons Falls
You’ll find these falls in Victoria’s High Country, within Kinglake National Park.
There are a few short walks in this area, which connect to longer trails. So you can choose a hike that suits your fitness levels and capabilities.
The falls are located close to a picnic area, which has free gas BBQs, toilets and plenty of picnic tables.
Eurobin Falls & Ladies Bath Falls
Eurobin Falls are located in Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria’s High Country.
In the early 1900s, travellers on their way to the Mount Buffalo chalet would stop here to cool off. Men and women would separate, with the women heading to Ladies Bath (in case you were wondering how it got its name).
To reach the falls, you can follow a 1.4 kilometre track, which winds past Ladies Bath Falls and onto Lower Eurobin Falls.
From there, take a steeper track to the base of the Upper Falls.
It’s still possible to take a dip in Ladies Bath Falls in the warmer months; just watch your step as you climb over the rocks.
Paradise Falls
These falls are 20 minutes from the town of Whitfield in Victoria’s High Country.
It’s a short amble of 500 metres to the viewing area from the car park.
Grab some gourmet goodies from Milawa and have a relaxing picnic in the sun.
After more things to do in this part of Victoria? Check out my guide to the King Valley.
Agnes Falls
Of all the waterfalls in Victoria, Agnes Falls in Gippsland is probably the best of the best.
These falls have a single span fall of 59 metres, the highest in the state.
It’s a short walking track of 200 metres from the car park to viewing areas. Nearby Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve contains the remnants of the forest that once covered the Strzelecki Ranges, habitat to a wide array of birds.
Kings Waterfall
These falls are a short drive from Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula.
They’re best viewed after rainfall, to increase your chances of catching some flow. The falls may dry up to a trickle or nothing at all during the warmer months.
You can access these falls via the Kings Falls Circuit Walk within Arthurs Seat State Park.
Dights Falls
Did you know Melbourne has a waterfall? Dights Falls may not be as impressive as some of the other falls on this list, but it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area.
It marks the point where the Merri Creek meets the Yarra River and consists of a man-made weir built across a naturally occurring rock bar.
If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs, take the four kilometre Dights Falls Loop Trail. You’ll see the site of the former ‘Lunatic Asylum’, the lookout over Galatea Point and what once was the Deep Rock Swimming Club.
Discover other fun things to do in Melbourne in summer.
Victoria’s best waterfalls: in conclusion
There’s a vast array of waterfalls to be seen throughout Victoria. Some are only accessible after a bit of a hike, others can easily be seen after a short walk from a car park.
If you want to see them at optimal flow, time your visit in winter or spring, after some decent rain.
And don’t forget to pack a picnic!
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Have you seen any of the falls on this list? Which is your favourite waterfall in Victoria?
