Victorian Waterfalls Are Flowing After Record Rain: Where to See Them
Victoria's waterfalls are putting on a rare show right now. A wet August has filled the state's rivers and creeks, and the falls are running hard. People across regional Victoria have a narrow window to see them at their best.
Heavy winter rain has turned normally quiet cascades into roaring sights. The flows will not last forever. Once the landscape dries out, many of these falls will slow to a trickle.
Image credit: "MacKenzie Falls at the Grampians" by edwin.11, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image for reference only.
Why the falls are flowing now
More than 100 Victorian waterfalls are running strongly after record-breaking August rainfall across the state. That rainfall came through the winter and left rivers and creeks well fed.
Reports have come in from across regional Victoria. Listeners have described strong flows in the Southern Grampians, the Otway Ranges, South Gippsland, and the Victorian high country. The wet winter gave the whole state a good soaking, and the falls are the visible result.
Normally many of these falls are far quieter. The record rainfall has turned them into something worth travelling to see. Record rain does not come every winter, and the falls are at their strongest when it does.
A short window to see them
The strong flows will not last through the year. Federation University water resources engineering professor Andrew Barton said the recent rainfall and inflows should keep many waterfalls flowing until at least October. After that, the picture changes.
Drier conditions in November are expected to reduce flows in the rivers and creeks that feed the falls. The Bureau of Meteorology has also flagged a pending El Niño, possibly one of the strongest seen. A strong El Niño could mean a much drier period for the state. That would drain the rivers and creeks that feed the falls, leaving the cascades thin and slow.
The message is clear. The best time to visit is now, before the water runs down and the falls lose their power.
Where to see waterfalls by region
Victoria's falls are spread across the state. Many sit close to regional towns, which makes them easy to reach on a day trip. The list below covers the Central Highlands, the Grampians, the south-west, the Otways, Gippsland, and the north-east.
Central Highlands
Trentham Falls sits at Trentham in the Central Highlands. It drops about 32 metres over basalt columns in the Coliban River. Erosion-related instability means the falls cannot be accessed directly, so visitors view them from a platform. The platform keeps people safe while the cliffs remain unstable.
The Grampians
MacKenzie Falls is in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. It is the largest waterfall in Victoria by water volume, with a drop of about 35 metres. The falls are popular with hikers, which makes them a highlight of any trip to the park.
Near Ballarat
Lal Lal Falls is a short drive from Ballarat. It has a 30-metre drop over volcanic basalt into a deep gorge. A viewing platform lets visitors take in the scene safely and offers a clear view of the drop.
The south-west
Hopkins Falls is a short drive from Warrnambool in the Great Ocean Road and South West region. It is one of Victoria's widest falls, with multiple cascades through hexagonal volcanic basalt columns.
Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls sit near Hamilton in the south-west. They are two major waterfalls along the Wannon River. Wannon Falls has a single large plunge, while Nigretta Falls spills into several separate falls. Seeing both in one trip gives two very different falls along the same river.
The Otway Ranges
Stephenson Falls is in the Otway Ranges. It drops more than 20 metres into the Gellibrand River. The Otway Ranges were among the areas where listeners reported strong flows after the rain.
Gippsland
Narracan Falls is near Trafalgar in the Latrobe Valley. It has an eight-metre drop into Narracan Creek.
Agnes Falls sits in South Gippsland's Strzelecki Ranges. It cascades nearly 60 metres into a gorge. At nearly 60 metres, it is among the tallest falls in this guide. The falls are a 12-minute drive from Toora.
Hilda Falls, near Loch in South Gippsland, cascades about 10 metres.
The north-east
Woolshed Falls is at Beechworth in the north-east of the state. It is one more stop for travellers exploring that part of Victoria.
Finding a waterfall near you
The travel guide Undiscovered Victoria has catalogued 50 of the more than 100 named waterfalls that are accessible by walking track. Co-author Jay Dillon said the appeal of Victorian waterfalls is in their variety. The guide helps visitors plan a trip based on the kind of fall they want to see.
That variety is the point. Falls are spread across many parts of the state, from the Grampians to Gippsland. Most people can find one within a reasonable drive of home.
Go and see them while you can
The recent rain has given Victoria a brief and beautiful moment. The waterfalls are flowing, and the window to see them at their best is limited. Pick a fall near you and plan a visit soon.
For more on exploring this part of the state, read our Grampians guide. You can also browse the Great Ocean Road and South West region for more travel ideas. And for a complete directory of towns and regions across Victoria, visit our Victoria local guide.
Works Cited
McGrath, Gavin. "Fall in Love with Victoria's Waterfalls, Now Putting on a Show After Winter Rain." ABC News, 13 Sept. 2026, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-13/victorian-waterfalls-putting-on-a-show-after-august-rainfall/107117080.