MacKenzie Falls in Grampians National Park is an absolute must-see. The views are breathtaking, and the hike along the MacKenzie River to Fish Falls — another beautiful waterfall nearby — is definitely worth the effort. To get to MacKenzie Waterfall, you drive along Mount Victory Road. It’s about 20 km from Halls Gap, and the scenic drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
MacKenzie Falls Walk Guide
Once you arrive, I recommend heading down to the base of MacKenzie Falls, where the water crashes into a natural pool. The trek to the bottom is about 2 km round trip, and you’ll need to brave 260 narrow steps to get there. So, make sure you have enough energy to make the climb back up!
There’s also a viewing platform near the carpark that’s quick and easy to access, so most visitors can reach it without any trouble. I’ve marked a few key spots on the scenic map below. MacKenzie Falls is one of the Grampians’ top attractions, and this picture is just a taste of what’s waiting for you — it’s truly a beautiful place!
Honestly, MacKenzie Falls is hands down the best waterfall in the Grampians — no competition. If you’re into hiking, the Pinnacle Walk from Wonderland Carpark is an absolute must, and the walk down to the base of MacKenzie Falls should definitely be on your list too. Doing both? That’s pretty much the perfect way to top off your Grampians adventure. You won’t regret it!
I even took my mum — who’s in her 70s — down from the lookout all the way to the base of the waterfall. From the lookout, the hike down looked pretty tough, but step by step, we made it. If she can do it, anyone in decent shape can too!
There’s also another lookout on the opposite side of the falls. But honestly, don’t waste your time going there. It’s supposed to be more accessible, but if you’re up for a real adventure, stick to the stairs and make your way down. There’s so much more to see and do down there, including hiking to Fish Falls. Just be prepared for the tough climb back up after — those stairs are no joke!
Here’s a shot of MacKenzie Falls from the stairs near the bottom — a great spot to take it all in. There are a few smaller cascades higher up, but they’re pretty average. The real showstopper is when you get to see the main waterfall, and here it is.
MacKenzie Falls flows year-round, so it’s never dry like some other waterfalls in Victoria’s Grampians. Dropping about 30 meters (100 feet), it’s one of the biggest waterfalls in the state, with water crashing into a deep pool in the MacKenzie River gorge — like a mighty river god pouring endless water into the earth.
You can relax at the base of MacKenzie Falls and snap some photos. My mum and I even had our picture taken by a lady hiker.
One surprise was learning that you’re actually not allowed to swim in the water here because it’s not safe. There’s a sign explaining that submerged objects and strong currents can trap you underwater, so it’s best to just enjoy the view. On a hot day, Fish Falls is said to be an awesome spot to cool off, and it’s even kid-friendly — making it a perfect escape from the heat. That definitely sounds like the best way to go if you want to enter the water.
When we visited, the weather was pretty wild — clouds were racing across the sky so fast, covering the sun one minute and letting it shine the next. It was like flipping a switch from cool to warm, so it wasn’t exactly swimming weather for us, and we didn’t see anyone taking a dip. The place wasn’t crowded either — maybe only around 30 people total, from the hike down to MacKenzie Falls and back up to the carpark. It was a chill hike, and the scenery made it totally worth it.
Watching this video of MacKenzie Falls shows the powerful water splashing into the tranquil natural pool below.
MacKenzie Falls River Walk
Once you’re at the bottom of MacKenzie Falls, you can also take a walk through the rocky gorge beside the river to reach Fish Falls. You don’t have to go all the way — you can just enjoy a short stroll along the river, and it’s still totally worth it. We spent about 15 minutes wandering along the water, and the scenery was absolutely stunning!
The trail was a mix of dirt path and rocks, but nothing too tricky, so it’s accessible and perfect for a relaxing adventure. The whole experience adds an extra layer of magic to the day.
Here’s another photo of me and my mum. We paused around this spot, chatting with some fellow hikers we met along the way. It was the perfect place to take a breather, soak in the scenery, and relax for a bit before heading back.
At this spot, we spotted another small waterfall cascading into a pool lower down in the MacKenzie River gorge. In the distance, there was a metal pathway that looked like it crossed the river, but we didn’t go that far. I had a feeling this might have been Fish Falls, but it turns out that’s a bit further away.
From the videos I’ve seen of Fish Falls, there seem to be a couple of different levels to them. If you’re walking along the MacKenzie River and have the time and energy, visiting Fish Falls should definitely be another attraction you aim to see. They look incredible, so definitely check them out if you can.
I wanted to preserve my mum’s energy since the hardest part was still ahead — the hike back up to the carpark via the steep stairs. So, this was pretty much the finish line of our MacKenzie Falls adventure. It was a great day, and I’m glad we took the time to explore a little more along the MacKenzie River.
Walking back was really nice too. Here’s the dirt path as we neared MacKenzie Falls again.
Hiking from MacKenzie Falls to Zumsteins + Tips
Walking from MacKenzie Falls to Fish Falls (a great secret) is a pretty awesome adventure to go on. There’s also a longer trail that takes you through Fish Falls and ends up at Zumsteins, where another carpark is waiting. This is about a 4 km one-way hike and it’ll take around 2 hours, so it can be a bit challenging — especially if you’re planning to hike back. That’s why my top tip is to just visit Fish Falls and turn around after that.
If you’re looking to take it easy like we did, just stop at the MacKenzie River gorge when you see that metal path leading to Fish Falls and Zumsteins (like in one of the photos above). Whatever you choose, the real highlight is standing at the base of MacKenzie Falls — it’s an incredible sight and definitely worth soaking in!
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