BBQ
Looking for an epic adventure in Victoria? Why not have a go at visiting six beautiful waterfalls in one day with Goldfields Guide's Six Waterfall Challenge!
There is a big triangle of waterfalls across the Hepburn, Mount Alexander and Macedon Shires. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive around the whole circuit and get back to where you started, and once you factor in the time spent at each waterfall this challenge becomes an all-day event. So pick a day, pack a picnic, and let's get started!
The waterfalls in the challenge are:
- Sailors Falls, Sailors Falls VIC
- Loddon Falls, Glenlyon VIC
- The Cascades, Metcalfe VIC
- Turpins Falls, Langley VIC
- Stanley Park Waterfall, Mount Macedon VIC
- Trentham Falls, Trentham VIC
Triangle of six waterfalls across the Hepburn, Mount Alexander and Macedon Shires.
Things to consider when planning your trip
- It is best to visit these waterfalls during the cooler months of the year when the creeks are full and the water is flowing. Most of the waterfalls will be dry through summer
- Pack a picnic lunch, snacks and plenty of water for your day out
- Picnic tables are located at waterfalls 1, 3, 5 and 6
- Toilets are located at waterfalls 1, 5 and 6
We are starting and finishing the journey at Sailors Falls, just outside Daylesford, but you can start at any point which suits you.
1. Sailors Falls, near Daylesford VIC
We are starting out at Sailors Falls, a beautiful road-side waterfall just outside Daylesford. You can view the waterfall from a platform alongside the parking/picnic area, or you can descend a steep staircase into the shady gully below and follow the creek a short way up to the base of the falls.
- Roadside lookout
- Short walk to base of the falls
- Mineral spring taps
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Information signs
2. Loddon Falls, Glenlyon
Next up we have the spectacular Loddon Falls, out the other side of Daylesford in Glenlyon. Here the Loddon River drops dramatically over a wall of huge hexagonal basalt columns into a pool below before continuing on through the spectacular rocky gorge.
It is a short walk down to the gorge where you can get amazing views down over the waterfall, and it takes about another 5 or 10 minutes to make your way down the gorge to the base of the falls.
Please be careful at Loddon Falls, you will be walking down a slope towards the gorge and suddenly come upon the massive drop - there are no safety rails or signs. Do not let children run off ahead.
- Short walk
- View from the top or make your way down the crude rocky steps into the gorge
3. The Cascades, Metcalfe VIC
Continuing on to Metcalfe, we reach the topmost point of the triangle - The Cascades, an extraordinary hidden gem! A series of cascades sweep over layers of bedrock as the water whirls down through rockpools, crevices and little caverns. Relax in a rockpool, take a dip in one of the larger swimming holes, or make your way across the stunning bedrock and boulders to wander along and appreciate the scenic beauty of the Coliban River.
- A short stroll from the parking area
- Rocks can be slippery when wet
- Picnic tables - great spot for a lunch or snack break
4. Turpins Falls, Langley VIC
Next in line we have the beautiful Turpins Falls, just fifteen minutes from The Cascades. Turpins Falls drops down over a gorgeous semi-circular wall of rock into a large water hole below.
A well formed walking track takes you from the parking area down to a lookout platform where you can get amazing views down over the falls. Continuing on, the track gets narrow and a little steeper as it takes you all the way down the bottom, where you can look out to the falls across the water. The walk down to the bottom is fairly short, but involves some uneven and sometimes slippery ground.
- Short walk (but somewhat steep and slippery) to the bottom
- Easy short walk to the lookout platform
- Beautiful waterfall, twin falls when water levels are high
Notice - Dec 2020 - Turpins Falls is temporarily closed due to track safety assessments.
For updates check the 'Change of Conditions' section on Parks Victoria's page for Turpins Falls.
5. Stanley Park Waterfall, Mount Macedon VIC
Back in the car and off to Mount Macedon, this beautiful little waterfall is tucked away within the Stanley Park Bushland Reserve. Turitable Creek runs through the reserve and falls down over a rocky ledge into a little gully filled with ferns and lush vegetation. You can peer over the edge from the top lookout platform or make your way down the stony steps into the cool gully below, taking a gorgeous leafy walking track to the shady falls.
This is another great place to stop for a lunch or snack break as the park features plenty of picnic tables (along with a playground and toilet block).
- Short walk, steps to reach the base of the falls
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Information signs
6. Trentham Falls, Trentham VIC
Saving one of the region's most impressive waterfalls for last, Trentham Falls is Victoria's highest single drop waterfall, where the Coliban River plunges 32 metres down over magnificent basalt columns before continuing on through the gorge below. A viewing area overlooks the waterfall and gorge, accessed by a quick 70 metre walk from the car park. An illustrated sign at the lookout provides fascinating information and a detailed diagram of the waterfall's geology.
- Practically roadside, short walk to lookout platform
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
- Information signs
Back to where you started
From Trentham Falls it's about a 20 minute drive to return to Daylesford, or a 25 minute drive to return to where you started (the first waterfall at Sailors Falls).
So there you have it, Goldfields Guide's Six Waterfall Challenge - are you up for the adventure? Let us know how you go in the comments below!
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