What Are the 5 Best Waterfalls to Visit in Melbourne?
Melbourne has plenty of waterfall escapes within easy reach of the city. Olinda Falls and Sherbrooke Falls are ideal for quick nature trips, Trentham Falls is perfect for an impressive waterfall without a long hike, Steavenson Falls offers one of Victoria's tallest cascades, and Masons Falls is a great choice for a family day in the bush.
Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
4 min read
In this article
Melbourne is surrounded by beautiful forests, mountain ranges and scenic reserves, making it easy to escape the city for a waterfall adventure. From short walks in the Dandenong Ranges to impressive day-trip destinations, there are plenty of waterfalls to explore.
The best time to see most Victorian waterfalls is generally winter and spring, when rainfall gives the falls stronger flows.
Here are five excellent waterfalls to add to your Melbourne itinerary.
1. Olinda Falls
Location: Olinda, Dandenong Ranges
Best for: Forest walks, families and photography
Olinda Falls is one of the easiest waterfall escapes from Melbourne. Located within the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the falls are surrounded by tall Mountain Ash trees, lush ferns and cool forest.
From the Olinda Falls Picnic Ground, visitors can follow the Falls Track to viewing platforms overlooking the falls. Parks Victoria lists the walk at approximately 350 metres to the main viewing platform and 500 metres to the base.
The waterfall is particularly attractive after rainfall, when Olinda Creek has more water flowing through the forest.
Why visit?
Close to Melbourne
Short walking track
Beautiful rainforest environment
Picnic facilities nearby
Great photography opportunities
2. Sherbrooke Falls
Location: Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges
Best for: Nature walks and rainforest scenery
If you enjoy walking through dense greenery, Sherbrooke Falls is an excellent choice. The falls are tucked inside the Sherbrooke section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The waterfall itself is relatively small, but the surrounding forest is the real attraction. Walking trails pass through towering Mountain Ash trees, tree ferns and lush rainforest vegetation.
The falls are best after rain, when Sherbrooke Creek becomes stronger and the waterfall is more impressive. You may also spot native wildlife, including lyrebirds.
Why visit?
Peaceful forest atmosphere
Excellent bushwalking
Great after rainfall
Picnic areas nearby
Good option for nature lovers
3. Trentham Falls
Location: Trentham, Central Victoria
Best for: Scenic day trips and dramatic views
For a more impressive waterfall experience, head to Trentham Falls, approximately an hour from Melbourne depending on traffic.
The waterfall plunges more than 32 metres over a basalt cliff, making it the highest single-drop waterfall in Central Victoria.
The lookout is easily accessible from the car park, making Trentham Falls suitable for visitors who don't want to undertake a long hike. The surrounding Coliban River Scenic Reserve also makes a great place for a picnic.
Why visit?
Impressive 32-metre drop
Easy access from the car park
Excellent photography
Great day-trip destination
Particularly spectacular in winter and spring
4. Steavenson Falls
Location: Near Marysville
Best for: Big waterfalls and scenic forest
Steavenson Falls is one of Victoria's most spectacular waterfalls and makes a fantastic day trip from Melbourne.
The waterfall drops approximately 84 metres, and visitors can reach the base via a well-formed 700-metre return track. The route is suitable for a wide range of visitors, with an accessible section leading toward the falls.
The surrounding Marysville State Forest adds to the experience, with tall trees, ferns and mountain scenery.
Why visit?
One of Victoria's tallest waterfalls
84-metre cascade
Short, accessible walk
Beautiful forest surroundings
Excellent day-trip destination
5. Masons Falls
Location: Kinglake National Park
Best for: Families, bushwalking and nature
Masons Falls is located in Kinglake National Park, around 65 km north of Melbourne. The area combines a scenic waterfall with eucalyptus forest, walking trails and picnic facilities.
The Masons Falls area is particularly good for a relaxed day outdoors. After visiting the lookout, you can enjoy nearby walking tracks and the picnic area.
Why visit?
Around 65 km north of Melbourne
Scenic bushland
Short walks
Picnic facilities
Good family day-trip option
Which Melbourne Waterfall Should You Choose?
Waterfall | Best For | Distance/Drive |
|---|---|---|
Olinda Falls | Short walk & families | Around 1 hour |
Sherbrooke Falls | Forest & nature | Around 1 hour |
Trentham Falls | Dramatic waterfall | Around 1 hour+ |
Steavenson Falls | Tall waterfall | Around 2 hours |
Masons Falls | Family day trip | Around 1–1.5 hours |
Best Overall: Trentham Falls
If you want one waterfall to prioritize, Trentham Falls is a great choice because it combines a dramatic 32-metre drop with easy access and beautiful surrounding bushland.
For a waterfall closer to Melbourne, choose Olinda Falls or Sherbrooke Falls. For a larger day-trip adventure, Steavenson Falls is hard to beat.
Best Time to Visit
Winter and spring are generally the best seasons for waterfall trips in Victoria because rainfall usually produces stronger water flows. Always check current park conditions before travelling, particularly after heavy rain or during periods of extreme fire danger.
Safety tip: Avoid swimming beneath waterfalls. Parks Victoria warns that strong currents, slippery rocks and submerged ledges can make waterfall pools dangerous.
More from Melbourne Sphere
City guides
Best Native Plants for Melbourne Gardens: Low-Maintenance Options by Season ?
Creating a beautiful garden in Melbourne doesn't have to involve expensive landscaping, constant watering or hours of maintenance every weekend. With the right Australian native plants, you can enjoy colourful flowers, attractive greenery and a garden that supports local wildlife. Start with a few easy-care options such as Lomandra, Grevillea, Correa and Westringia. Consider your available space, sunlight and soil before purchasing plants, and give new plants enough attention while they establ
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Local SEO for Melbourne Businesses: Google Business Profile, Citations and Rankings Explained ?
Local SEO is about more than getting your business website onto Google's first page. It is about helping nearby customers discover your services, understand what you offer and feel confident contacting you. Start with the basics: optimise your Google Business Profile, maintain consistent business details, collect genuine reviews and make your website useful for people searching in Melbourne. You do not need hundreds of directory listings or dozens of repetitive suburb pages. A well-maintained
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Lock Rekeying vs Lock Replacement in Melbourne: Costs, Differences and Which to Choose ?
If your locks work well and you just need new keys, rekey them. If they're damaged, outdated or you want better security, replace them. And if you rent, ask first and keep everything in writing. A short phone call and a written quote can save you both money and a bond dispute. If this guide helped, share it with a friend who's moving, and read our other Melbourne guides on renting, moving and home costs.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Google Ads Cost in Melbourne 2026: Average CPC by Industry and What to Budget ?
There's no single price for Google Ads in Melbourne, only a range shaped by your industry, keywords and competition. Use the benchmarks to set expectations, check your own keywords in Keyword Planner and measure cost per customer, not just cost per click. Start small, learn from the data and scale what works. If this guide helped, share it with a business owner who's weighing up ads, and check back for more Melbourne guides.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation.
Leave a comment
Every comment is read by a moderator before it appears. Your email address is never published; it is used only to contact you about this comment.