Strath Creek Falls (Murchison Falls)

Mt Disappointment State Forest / Broadford / Murchison Gap, Victoria, Australia

About Strath Creek Falls (Murchison Falls)

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Strath Creek Falls (I’ve also seen it referred to as Murchison Falls; not to be confused with the one in Uganda) was barely hanging on to its last flows when we made a second visit here in November 2017.

On our first visit, the 50m falls was practically invisible due to the Great Australian Drought that affected our November 2006 trip.

Strath_Creek_Falls_17_015_11192017 - Strath Creek Falls during our visit in November 2017
Strath Creek Falls during our visit in November 2017

It was a drought that had persisted for the better part of that decade!

For some strange reason, it seemed fitting that the falls resided in the Mt Disappointment State Forest for either of our visits here could certainly be characterized as such.

That was because the region containing this waterfall didn’t benefit from much rain in neither of our visits to the country in November 2006 nor November 2017.

The Mt Disappointment State Forest sat in a fairly remote and rugged part of the Murrindindi Shire north of Melbourne.

Strath_Creek_Falls_004_11172006 - Strath Creek Falls was bone dry during our visit in November 2006
Strath Creek Falls was bone dry during our visit in November 2006

Like with many waterfalls in the fickle hinterlands of Central Victoria, seeing this falls flow would require a good deal of timing.

In other words, you can’t wait for long after the last significant rain storm if the intent is to see any waterfalls here.

Experiencing Strath Creek Falls

Once we reached the signed trailhead off Falls Road (see directions below), it was a mere 70m to descend to the Strath Creek Falls lookout.

This was where the photo you see at the top of this page was taken from.

Strath_Creek_Falls_17_019_11192017 - The descending track skirted the rim of the ravine carved out by Strath Creek
The descending track skirted the rim of the ravine carved out by Strath Creek

That photo was taken in the late afternoon so the shadows were long on this north-facing waterfall.

In order to avoid shadows, I’d imagine that the height of the morning or midday would be best since the sun was be directly above us.

In any case, the track continued to descend for the next 430m eventually reaching Strath Creek just above the top of the falls.

Aside from semi-obstructed views downstream, there really wasn’t much reason to go this far past the lookout.

Strath_Creek_Falls_17_022_11192017 - Approaching the end of the trail right at the brink of Strath Creek Falls
Approaching the end of the trail right at the brink of Strath Creek Falls

And from seeing some of the shrines set up here to remember those who happened to lose their lives here, I’d imagine it wouldn’t be worth exploring beyond the sanctioned track either.

Strath Creek Falls History

Given our disappointing experiences at Strath Creek Falls, it was hard to believe that this was the inspiration and subject of some historical art masterpieces by Eugene von Guerard in 1862 and William Delafield Cook in 1979.

According to a sign here, both their works could be found in the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Such influential works could very well have established the Goulburn Valley as important places for agriculture, occupation, and tourism during the days of European settlement.

Authorities

Strath Creek Falls resides in the Murrindindi Shire near Broadford, Victoria. It is administered by the Murrindindi Shire Council. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: disappointment, murrindindi, melbourne, broadford, victoria, australia, waterfall, murchison gap



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Strath Falls recovery following 2009 fires November 29, 2010 5:41 am by Lucas Russell - Strath Falls was severely burnt during the 2009 fires in Victoria. Almost 2 years on, and after a year of almost record rain, the falls are recovering well. ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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