12 Must-See Grampians Waterfalls: The Complete Guide

The Grampians National Park is one of the most naturally beautiful and exciting places to visit in Victoria, Australia. Amongst the many picturesque lookouts and adventurous walks are a whole host of Grampians waterfalls. So, in this guide, we’ll tell you about 12 must-see waterfalls to visit on your trip to the Grampians.

Check out 15 Best Hikes In The Grampians: The Complete Guide

About Grampians Waterfalls

The Grampians National Park is home to an abundance of wonderful waterfalls. And, they’re all relatively easy to visit, whether that includes a short walk to a viewing platform, a longer hike including other attractions or simply strolling along well-laid paths directly to the waterfalls themselves. Certainly, you’ll have no problem ticking off this Grampians waterfalls to-do list.

But, many of the Grampian’s waterfalls are seasonal, meaning the time of year you visit will greatly affect the waterfall you’ll see. Indeed, warm months with little rainfall can result in an otherwise powerful cascade being reduced to a small trickle. But, experiencing a less powerful waterfall doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the atmosphere and incredible landscape of the Grampians.

But, if it’s waterfalls you’ve come for in the Grampians, then you might want to plan carefully what time of year you visit. Indeed, winter brings with it more rainfall, so this could be a good time to chase waterfalls in the Grampians.

Grampians Waterfalls Map

This map shows the locations of the 12 Grampians waterfalls we’ll discuss in this post. Of course, feel free to click on the interactive map to check out exactly where they’re all located.

12 Best Grampians Waterfalls

So, let’s get into it. The waterfalls are listed in no particular order, but rather grouped in reference to their proximity to each other. But, we’ll kick things off with arguably the biggest and best of the Grampians waterfalls – Mackenzie Falls.

1. Mackenzie Falls

Mackenzie Falls is a magnificent waterfall in the Grampians National Park. The thundering waterfall drops around 40 metres into the Mackenzie River below, making it not just the largest waterfall in the Grampians, but also one of the biggest waterfalls in the whole of Victoria.

At Mackenzie Falls, you’ll find two viewing platforms offering great vantage points towards this Grampians waterfall. In addition, you can take the steep steps to the base of the falls for even better views.

As the only Grampians waterfall that flows year-round, Mackenzie Falls is also one of the most popular waterfalls to visit.

• Parking: Mackenzie Falls Car Park
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic area
• Distance from Halls Gap: 18km // 20 minutes

Read more: Mackenzie Falls, Grampians – The Complete Visitor Guide

2. Broken Falls

Visiting Mackenzie Falls is also a great opportunity to see another Grampians waterfall – Broken Falls. The lookout for Broken Falls is only a few hundred metres from the Mackenzie Falls Car Park, on a side trail away from the track to Mackenzie Falls.

Unfortunately, the viewing platform for Broken Falls can be a little obscured by the trees. But, to the side of the viewing platform is a fairly hidden but well-walked track that leads you through the scrub to a better vantage point. You can’t access the base of the falls along this track, or in general, but the views are much less impeded. 

Broken Falls is a huge platform of layered rock, where the water is forced to find cracks and crevices in which to find its way down. The result is a stunning display of water flowing in all directions, showing the curves of the rock to its fullest, as it trickles down like rainwater.

• Parking: Mackenzie Falls Car Park
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic area
• Distance from Halls Gap: 18km // 20 minutes

3. Fish Falls

Another Grampians waterfall you can get to from Mackenzie Falls is Fish Falls. In fact, walking from Mackenzie Falls to Fish Falls is a wonderful return walk taking no more than an hour. But, the easier walking option actually starts from Zumsteins. Certainly, the 4.6km out and back walk is one of the most beautiful walking tracks in the Grampians, where you’ll likely see a whole host of wildlife and enjoy the scenery.

The impressive Fish Falls drops 60 metres into the Mackenzie River. There’s a refreshing plunge pool below and a set of steps leading to the top of the waterfall.

• Parking: Zumsteins Car Park or Mackenzie Falls Car Park
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic area
• Distance from Halls Gap: 22km // 25 minutes

4. Silverband Falls

Not far outside of Halls Gap is Silverband Falls. This Grampians waterfall consists of a beautiful sliver of water, cascading some 10+ metres over a dark layered rockface. It shimmers and glistens like a thin silver band. It’s easy to see where the name comes from.

Silverband Falls is one of the Grampian’s many seasonal waterfalls. But, the good news is, the waterfall is also fairly reliable, so you’ll likely see some amount of water cascading down, whatever time of year you visit.

What’s intriguing about this Grampians waterfall is the lack of a small pool for the waterfall to drop into. When Silverband Falls dries up somewhat, the waterfall seemingly disappears the moment it hits the ground. Indeed, any water cascading over the drop runs underground, only to reappear further down Dairy Creek. In fact, you can walk right up to the waterfall without getting your feet wet at all.

• Parking: Siverband Falls Car Park
• Facilities: None
• Distance from Halls Gap: 8km // 10 minutes

Read more: Silverband Falls, Grampians – The Complete Visitor Guide

5. Splitters Falls

Splitters Falls is a multi-tiered drop cascade over laminated rock slabs. The enclosed location of this Grampians waterfall gives the feeling of stumbling across a secluded and secret waterfall. Certainly, Splitters Falls might not be the largest waterfall you’ll ever see, but it’s certainly a very pretty one. But, Splitters Falls is a seasonal waterfall. So, depending on when you visit, you might find it dried up.

You can see Splitters Falls during a quick 15 minute return walk from Wonderland Car Park. Or, we recommend visiting as part of the longer Wonderland Loop track to the Pinnacle, starting in Halls Gap.

• Parking: Wonderland Car Park or Halls Gap
• Facilities: Toilets and picnic area in Halls Gap. Parking only at Wonderland Car Park.
• Distance from Halls Gap: 4km // 7 minutes

Read more: The Grampians Pinnacle Lookout & Walk – 3 Spectacular Routes

6. Bridal Veil Falls

Another Grampians waterfall to look out for on your way to the Pinnacle Lookout is Bridal Veil Falls. But, bear in mind, if it’s not rained recently, you won’t have much to look at. Unfortunately, this was our experience. Bridal Veil Falls feels like the epitome of a seasonal waterfall, and if it hasn’t rained, all you’ll see is a little trickle down the rock face.

But, if it has rained, then you’re in for a bit of a treat. Located just to the side of the Pinnacle track will be a beautiful yet small cascade. Certainly, this is a lovely Grampians waterfall to see on the walk to the Pinnacle Lookout, if it’s flowing!

• Parking: Wonderland Car Park or Halls Gap
• Facilities: Toilets and picnic area in Halls Gap. Parking only at Wonderland Car Park.
• Distance from Halls Gap: 4km // 7 minutes

7. Clematis Falls

When it’s rained, Clematis Falls is a tall and rather impressive Grampians waterfall. If it hasn’t rained, you’ll see more of a trickle, like the image below. Luckily, Dan and I visited Clematis Falls as part of the Chatauqua Peak walk, which we highly recommend.

This meant, despite seeing a fairly tame-looking waterfall, we’d already enjoyed many delights on a longer walk, so weren’t too disappointed. But, if you don’t want a longer walk, you can see Clematis Falls on its own from Halls Gap. Certainly, the walk is very easy.

From the Halls Gap Recreation Reserve, take the Chatauqua Peak track in an anti-clockwise direction toward Clematis Falls. The walk is around 1.2km and takes around 30 minutes, with moderate elevation gain. Keep a lookout for kangaroos and other wildlife.

• Parking: Halls Gap Recreation Reserve
• Facilities: Toilets and picnic area in Halls Gap.
• Distance from Halls Gap: start from Halls Gap.

8. Burrong Falls

Burrong Falls is a more secluded and quieter waterfall to visit in the Grampians. This multi-tiered, terraced waterfall is quite beautiful and the views from the upper falls upon arrival are lovely. It’s possible to head down the terraced rock a little, but do take care.

The downside to Burrong Falls, and probably why it’s quieter than other Grampians waterfalls, is the unsealed road needed to access the car park. Although possible in a 2WD, we recommend a more comfortable journey in a 4WD. If the road is wet, which is great news for the waterfall, then driving conditions might be a little more problematic. Have a see when you get there though.

• Parking: Burrong Falls Car Park
• Facilities: None
• Distance from Halls Gap: 24km // 30 minutes

9. Beehive Falls

Beehive Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the north of the Grampians National Park. Timed with heavy rainfall, Beehive Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Grampians. The waterfall cascades down an orange-tinged wall and into a shallow pool below. The serene and tranquil location of this Grampians waterfall is quite wonderful.

If you’re up for a longer walk in the area, then we certainly recommend adding on a return hike to Briggs Bluff.

• Parking: Beehive Falls Car Park
• Facilities: None
• Distance from Halls Gap: 23km // 30 minutes

Read more: Beehive Falls (& Optional Briggs Bluff Hike) – The Complete Guide

10. Turret Falls

From the southern end of Wonderland Car Park, a small track leads to the fantastic Turret Falls. Well, they’re fantastic if it’s rained. The standard theme of Grampians waterfalls, eh? The water flows over a wide rock shelf, which is quite impressive when the water is pumping. A cool lookout is reached by crossing over the top of the waterfall.

This is one of the quieter waterfalls to visit in the Grampians, despite being relatively easy to reach.

• Parking: Wonderland Car Park
• Facilities: None
• Distance from Halls Gap: 4km // 7 minutes

11. Wannon Falls

Wannon Falls is a spectacular waterfall along the Wannon River in Southern Grampians Shire. The impressive waterfall plunges 30 metres off a jagged rock edge into a cauldron-shaped basin below. The waterfall sits within the wider Wannon Falls Scenic Reserve, which is a peaceful place to come and enjoy the waterfall, as well as soak in the natural flora of the area and explore the basalt valley streams and rapids flowing downstream of the waterfall.

A short walk from the car park brings you to a couple of viewing platforms, which are perfect for showing off Wannon Falls in all its glory.

Although much further afield from the central Grampians than the previously mentioned waterfalls, Wannon Falls should most definitely be included in your Grampians itinerary.

• Parking: Wannon Falls Scenic Reserve
• Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, picnic area and camping
• Distance from Halls Gap: 114km // 1.5 hours

Read more: The Complete Guide To Visiting Wannon Falls In Victoria, Australia

12. Nigretta Falls

And whilst you’re visiting Wannon Falls, you should also call in at neighbouring Nigretta Falls. Also located along the Wannon River, Nigretta Falls is a rugged and thundering Grampians waterfall. The craggy rock surface the waterfall tumbles down means the water has to branch off in many directions to find its way to the pool below. So, rather than seeing one cascade, you’ll actually see many drops as the Wannon River fights to find its path downstream.

Viewing Nigretta Falls is an easy short walk from the car park to a viewing platform.

• Parking: Nigretta Falls Scenic Reserve
• Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, picnic area and camping
• Distance from Halls Gap: 108km // 1 hour 15 minutes

Read more: Nigretta Falls, Victoria – The Complete Guide

How to Get to the Grampians Waterfalls

So, now you know the best waterfalls to visit in the Grampians, let’s look at how to get to them.

The best way to visit all of the Grampians waterfalls described in this guide is with your own set of wheels. Certainly, the ease of driving around the Grampians to each of the waterfall’s car parks is both beneficial, time-wise, and convenient. If you need a car, we recommend using DiscoverCars.com. It’s a fantastic search engine for finding the cheapest car hire. Search for cheap car hire in Melbourne today.

Of course, to see all of the Grampian’s waterfalls, you’ll first need to get to the Grampians National Park. The Grampians lie around 250km west of Melbourne and take around three hours to drive to. You’ll take the Western Highway all the way to Ararat, before joining the C222 Ararat-Halls Gap Road straight through to Halls Gap and the Grampians. It’s a very straightforward journey.

Getting to Melbourne

If you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll first need to fly to Melbourne to visit the Grampians. We recommend using Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights. When flying abroad, we always get the ball rolling with a Skyscanner search. Check out cheap flights to Melbourne today!

Grampians Day Tours

Although it’s possible to take public transport to the Grampians from Melbourne, you’re looking at a very long journey. If you don’t own a car or don’t want to hire a car but are still keen to visit the delights of the Grampians, including its many waterfalls, then you can take a tour.

There are many day tours and even multi-day tour options for visiting the Grampians from Melbourne. Some of the most popular include the following from GetYourGuide – Grampians National Park Group Tour, Grampians National Park Bushwalking Tour and 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour.

Best Time to See Grampians Waterfalls

Undoubtedly, the best time to visit any of the waterfalls in the Grampians is after a decent bout of rain. Many of the Grampians waterfalls are seasonal, meaning if it hasn’t rained, or the weather has been particularly warm, then the waterfalls dry up and are often reduced to a small trickle rather than a thundering cascade.

To that end, if it’s waterfalls you really want to experience in the Grampians, then we recommend visiting in winter and early spring. This time of year means the waterfalls will have experienced the highest amount of rainfall, staying full until the warmer summer months hit. Dan and I visited in winter and found the majority of the waterfalls to be flowing.

More Walks and Lookouts in the Grampians

There are plenty of wonderful natural attractions in the Grampians. Below, are a handful of our favourites.

• Hollow Mountain: beautiful cave lookouts across the northern Grampians.
• Mount William: summit the highest peak in the Grampians National Park.
• Boroka Lookout: one of the best lookouts in the Grampians with an easy walk.
• Reeds Lookout & The Balconies: a two-for-one lookout with a stop at this favourite Grampians spot.

Read more: 15 Best Hikes In The Grampians: The Complete Guide

Accommodation in Halls Gap, Grampians

As Halls Gap is the main hub of the Grampians, it makes sense to base yourself here as you explore the national park and its many waterfalls. You’ll find plenty of accommodation options here, as well as general amenities and places to stock up on supplies. So, below, we’ve put together the best budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation options to help plan your trip.

Grampians Waterfalls Camping

It isn’t possible to camp at the sites of the Grampians waterfalls (except for Wannon Falls). Instead, you’ll need to locate some campgrounds near the majority of the waterfalls.

But, given many of the Grampian’s waterfalls are a stone’s throw from Halls Gap, it’s just as easy to stay in town. Certainly, some of the best camping options include Halls Gap Caravan Park, which is close to the trailhead to Clematis Falls, Lake Fyans Holiday Park and Breeze Holiday Parks.

More Grampians Accommodation

• Camping in Halls Gap: 8 Epic Campgrounds In Central Grampians
• Camping In The Grampians: The Complete Guide
• Grampians Caravan Parks: 5 Best Caravan Parks in Halls Gap
• Halls Gap Accommodation: Best Hotel, Camping & Caravan Parks
• Grampians Accommodation: Where To Stay & What To Book

FAQs

Below, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions with regard to visiting the Grampians waterfalls.

What Are the Best Places for Waterfalls in the Grampians?

The central Grampians and around Halls Gap have the most amount of waterfalls.

What Are Easy-to-Reach Waterfalls in the Grampians?

Silverband Falls, Mackenzie Falls (top of the waterfall only), Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls.

What Are the Three Best Waterfalls in the Grampians?

Our favourites were Mackenzie Falls, Beehive Falls and Splitters Falls. But, let us know you’re favourites in the comments below.

Five Gear Essentials For Grampians Waterfalls

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

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