Loddon Falls

Viewing Loddon Falls from the top

Swimming at Loddon Falls

When is the best time to visit Loddon Falls

Safety at Loddon Falls

More information on Loddon Falls

LODDON FALLS
Geology

Imagine the violent volcanic eruptions that occurred in this area over the past 2.5 million years. 

Picture a massive red hot lava flow heading downstream, filling the deeply incised ancient river channel with molten rock and rapidly cooling to form huge hexagonal columns of basalt.

With the ancient channel now rock-filled, the returning stream was forced to create a new river channel, over and around the basalt before dropping 20 to 30 metres through the narrow gorge and flowing into the widening valley below. 

Flora

It's hard to imagine how plants can grow seemingly out of the rocks, but as you look across the gorge, you will see that large numbers of Blackwoods, River Bottlebrush and Tree Violets thrive by soaking up pockets of water and nutrients in the rockface. 

Looking down-stream the vegetation changes significantly as the gorge recedes and the river channel widens. The deeper soils support remnant stands of Manna Gums These beautiful trees tower over the steep sloping banks, which are covered with a blanket of Common Tussock Grass and Austral Bracken.

Fauna

The Loddon Falls area is teeming with wildlife, yet little is seen. In the deep rock pools frogs call to their mates, while skinks scamper up and down the rock face. 

Mainly nocturnal, the shy Black Wallabies shelter among the thick grasses and shrubs, while the Eastern Grey Kangaroos make occasional visits. 

Occasionally a slow moving Echidna can be seen shambling up the slopes. 

Amongst the many birds that frequent this site, you will see the Welcome Swallows darting through the gorge, while hawks circle up above. 

Land Management

The impact of gold mining, timber harvesting, grazing and bush fires have dramatically changed the landscape of this area, reducing native vegetation and increasing weed invasion.

Glenlyon and Upper Loddon Landcare, in partnership with the North Central Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria, have undertaken extensive work to eradicate weeds, erect fencing and re-establish native vegetation, a very challenging task, given the rocky terrain.

Weed management is one of the most challenging tasks to undertake at Loddon Falls with rocky outcrops and very steep slopes making it difficult to access areas infested with invasive weeds such as willows, blackberries, gorse, broom and hawthorn. Intensive planting with local species is assisting in inhibiting their spread.

Plantings can often be undermined by the very animals they will eventually provide habitat for. Wallabies browse on native shrubs and trees, rather than grazing on grass like the kangaroos. This causes locals to have mixed feelings about the wallabies, as they can destroy freshly planted indigenous vegetation in a single night!