MacKenzie Falls

Two people walking along the path in front of Mackenzie Falls at Grampians National Park

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MacKenzie Falls

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

MacKenzie Falls is the most iconic and spectacular waterfall in the Grampians. Watch the majestic waterfall from the lookout platform or tackle the steep climb to the base of the falls. Make the most of your day trip in the Grampians National Park with a strenuous walk through the beautiful MacKenzie River Gorge to Zumsteins Historic Area.

MacKenzie Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria and a must-see on your trip to Grampians National Park. It's the only waterfall in the Grampians that flows all year round.

See the beauty and power of MacKenzie Falls from a variety of lookouts and walks, which start at the carpark and cater to a range of abilities.

As waterfalls are within a natural environment, you may encounter hazards. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at MacKenzie Falls is a safe and enjoyable one.

Please note that for visitor and staff safety, MacKenzie Falls precinct (including Fish Falls) will be closed on days of Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger. Check the Fire Danger Rating forecast before you visit at cfa.vic.gov.au.

Things to do

MacKenzie Falls Walk
Embark on a steep walk to the base of MacKenzie Falls to see the waterfall up close and get a true sense of its power. Watch as water gracefully cascades down the sheer cliff face into the pretty pool below, creating a fine rainbow mist in the air.

It may seem inviting to take a dip, but swimming is not permitted at MacKenzie Falls due to many unseen dangers in the water.

The walk is 2km return and you'll need to trek down 260 narrow steps to reach the base of the falls, so be prepared for a difficult climb back to the top.

MacKenzie Falls Lookout Walk
Enjoy sweeping views of MacKenzie Falls and the MazKenzie River from Bluff Lookout. The 1.9km return walk is wheelchair friendly and meanders through stringybark forest. The lookout is the only spot where you can see multiple cascades of the river flowing through the gorge. 

Broken Falls Walk
Admire beautiful views of the upper sections of MacKenzie Falls on the Broken Falls Walk. The 500m walk is wheelchair friendly and has only a slight track gradient. Broken Falls Lookout is one of the best places to see the impressive geological formations of the MacKenzie River Gorge.

MacKenzie River Walk
One of the Grampians' best kept secrets, the MacKenzie River Walk winds it way along the river through young eucalypt forest. Best tackled by fit walkers, the 7km return walk (Fish Falls 4km return) can require water crossings, rock hopping and rock scrambling.

Enjoy scenic views of tranquil waterholes, rocky escarpments and the terraced cascades of Fish Falls. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including the impressive Wedge-tailed Eagle circling above.

Finish the walk with a picnic or barbecue at Zumsteins Historic Area and discover the remnants of an historic settlement, including old buildings and a now-empty swimming pool.

A couple enjoy a picnic by the MacKenzie river at Zumsteins Historic Area.

Zumsteins Historic Area

Zumsteins Picnic Area is located on the banks of the MacKenzie River and is the site of an historic settlement. It provides a great opportunity to relax in the natural setting of the Grampians, enjoy the wildlife, a barbecue and a short stroll.
A husband and wife stop to take a photo of Masons Falls from the lookout.

Day trips

Pack the car and round up your family and friends. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne.
Three friends enjoy a picnic on the grass in front of the historic Wallace Hut.

Picnics

Head outdoors for lunch in the warmer months and enjoy a picnic in some of nature's most relaxing and inspiring settings.

Brambuk The National Park and Culture Centre

Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap began with the building of the Brambuk Cultural Centre in 1989 to acknowledge, protect and share the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples.

How to get there

MacKenzie Falls

MacKenzie Falls

When you're there

Swimming is not permitted at MacKenzie Falls due to the risk of injury and drowning. Strong currents, submerged objects and cold, deep water make it too dangerous to swim. Take care on the walk to the base of the falls, as steps and rocks can be very slippery.

MacKenzie Falls is a popular place in the Grampians. Visit early in the day to escape the crowds. Download the Grampians National Park Visitor Guide before you go. 

Need to know

MacKenzie Falls

Accessibility

The MacKenzie Falls Walk and Broken Falls Walk are suitable for people with limited mobility and wheelchairs.

Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.

 

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

    The Balconies Lookout Walk and Reeds Lookout and Carpark

    The walk to the Balconies from Reeds Lookout is closed for track repair works from Monday 12th of May to Friday 6th June 2025.

    Reeds Lookout and Reeds Lookout carpark will be fully closed on Friday 23rd May. This closure extends to Mt Victory Road to support heavy vehicle material carting.

    Reeds Lookout carpark will be partially closed from Saturday 24th May to Friday 6th June, with 50 per cent fewer parking spaces and limited turnaround space for vehicles towing trailers.

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Roads Update 23.05.2025

    The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park has many roads temporarily closed due to the recent bushfires. Please be aware the movement of visitors in parts of the National Park is restricted.

    Key roads open include Grampians Tourist Rd (most side roads remain closed), Mt Victory Rd, Sundial Rd, Silverband Rd, Roses Gap Rd, Mt Zero Rd and Victoria Valley Rd.

    Please refer to the attached up-to-date road report below.

    Attachments: Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Road Report - 23.05.2025 (218KB)

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Bushfire Reopening Update – May 2025

    The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. It resulted in the closure of many popular visitor sites including campgrounds, picnic areas, a large network of roads and walking tracks (including sections of the Grampians Peaks Trail).

    Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. To complement these, a staged re-opening of visitor sites is being implemented. 

    The sites, which have reopened from April 18, 2025 are:
     
    ·      Silverband Falls Walk and Silverband Road
    ·      Balconies walk
    ·      Sundial carpark and the walk to the Pinnacle and Lakeview lookout walk (Sundial Peak remains closed)
    ·      Boroka Track Walk
    ·      Jimmy Creek and Wannon Crossing Campgrounds
    ·      Kalymna Campground and Kalymna Walk
    ·      Griffin Trailhead to Cassidy Gap Rd (Grampians Peaks Trail) – Walkers can now access this area by either pick up or drop off at Grampians Tourist Rd.  The Griffin Fireline Track remains closed to vehicles but open to walkers accessing the Grampians Peaks Trail via the Griffin Trailhead.

    For more detailed information please see the attached Park Update on “what is open” and “what is closed’ in the park.

    Attachments: GNP Park Update May 2025 (556KB)

    Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park – Fire Recovery Update – May 2025

    The impact of the 2024/2025 summer fires in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was widespread. Parks Victoria is now progressing with large scale fire recovery works across the park. For more detailed information, please see the attached Fire Recovery Update May 2025. 

    Attachments: GNP Fire Recovery Newsletter May 2025 (1,327KB)

    Run The Gap 2025 - Fun Run Event – Halls Gap and surrounds

    Run the Gap 2025 is an annual fun run being held in Halls Gap and surrounding areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park on Sunday May 25th, 2025.
     
    Schedule
    7:30am – 21km run
    8:10am – 12km run
    8:30am - 6km run
    8:35am - 6km walk
     
    The trail running courses will be held on several walking tracks, with marshalled road crossings and event stations in place at several visitor sites. 

    For more detail on the event including start and finish locations for each distance visit:

    If you are visiting the area on these dates and require more detailed information, contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre on (03) 8427 2258. 

  • Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre (Brambuk - The National Park and Cultural Centre Park, Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park)

    Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025

    Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre – Closures during 2025

    ·      Cultural tours, activities and venue hire currently unavailable.
    ·      Park information centre and gift shop remain open.

    Parks Victoria is working with a strategic partnership committee of Gariwerd Traditional Owners from Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to ‘reimagine’ the future of Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre.

    The reimagining project aims to renew Traditional Owner management arrangements of the Brambuk precinct and includes careful consideration of the tourism and visitor experiences, commercial opportunities, cultural education and training programs that may be available in the future. As part of this project, there are also building upgrades and refurbishments that require the Cultural Centre to be closed during 2024-25. However, the park information centre, gift shop and self-guided walks remain available.
     
    For Junior Ranger School holiday programs visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/junior-rangers

    For a list of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Licensed Tour Operators Visit https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/lto

    For up-to-date national park information, brochures, maps, permits and access advice contact information staff at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre info@parks.vic.gov.au or phone 8427 2058

    Further details on the Brambuk Reimagining project can be found on the Parks Victoria website https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/projects/western-victoria/brambuk-cultural-centre-upgrade

Similar experiences

 
A husband and wife stop to take a photo of Masons Falls from the lookout.

Masons Falls

Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful surrounds of Masons Falls Picnic Area. Set among towering gums, the large shelters and free gas barbecues make it the perfect place for a social gathering. The short waterfall walk is a real highlight.
Three friends standing at the Erskine Falls lookout admiring the waterfall.

Erskine Falls

Erskine Falls are at the end of Erskine Falls Road 10km north west of Lorne. There is a viewing point above the falls and a walking track, steep in places, leads to the base of the falls. The falls cascade over one of the highest drops in the Otways.
A couple stand and admire Sheoak Falls near Lorne in the Great Otway National Park.

Sheoak Falls

The Sheoak Falls Walk weaves its way from the coastal woodland at the mouth of the Sheoak Creek and through wet forest to the hidden cascades of Sheoak Falls.
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