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Stanley Park Waterfall

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15 Salisbury Road, Mount Macedon VIC 3441

Explore other locations around this area using our interactive map

Features

  • Waterfall
  • Walking track
  • Playground
  • Free electric barbecues
  • Undercover area
  • Picnic tables
  • Toilets
  • Information signs
  • Bushland reserve
  • Dogs allowed on lead
This beautiful little waterfall is tucked away within the Stanley Park Bushland Reserve in Mount Macedon. 

Turitable Creek runs through the reserve and cascades down over a rocky ledge into a little gully filled with ferns and lush vegetation. 

A picnic and playground area complement the waterfall, making this a great destination for an afternoon out.


Viewing the waterfall at Stanley Park

You can look down over the waterfall into the gully below from a viewing platform at the top.

You can also take the stony steps down into the gully and head along the enclosed leafy walking track to the base of the falls. 

The viewing platform at the top is right alongside the waterfall's edge, so you get a very close view of the water rushing over into the gully below as well as pretty views of the plants down at the bottom. 


Do not climb the fence at the top viewing area, there is a dangerous cliff and the rocks are slippery.

The viewing area at the bottom is right alongside the waterfall and creek, also providing a very close view. The edge of this viewing area has been fenced to allow regeneration of native flora in the gully. 

best time of year to visit the Stanley Park Waterfall

The Stanley Park Waterfall is best viewed in winter and spring, it will likely be dry in summer and autumn. 

Picnic and playground at Stanley Park


Stanley Park also features excellent play equipment and picnic facilities. 

The playground is located right alongside an undercover barbecue area, and there is a toilet block a short walk over the bridge on the other side of Turitable Creek. 

Picnic tables are scattered around the park and walking tracks take you on scenic strolls throughout the reserve.

Are dogs permitted at Stanley Park? 

Dogs are permitted within Stanley Park if kept on a lead. 

Information and history of Stanley Park


An information sign at Stanley Park (provided by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council) displays the following text:

STANLEY PARK

Welcome to Stanley Park, formerly known as the 'Waterfalls Paddock'. 

The park provides an area for passive recreation and an opportunity to enjoy the bushland landscape. The diverse geomorphology of the park provides different climatic zones allowing a wide variety of native flora to exist in a relatively small area. 

Over 60 species of trees and shrubs have been identified and wildflowers abound in the Spring. 

Turitable Creek runs through the park and has formed an attractive waterfall which can be viewed from the base of the falls where geological information regarding its formation can be seen. 

The native grassland area contains kangaroo grass (Themeda australis) and wallaby grasses (Danthonia species) and is a remnant of the grasslands that covered the plains of Western Victoria at the time of white settlement. 

History

In the late 1860's Mount Macedon became a popular area for wealthy Melbourne businessmen to build grand houses to escape the summer heat of the city. 

A thriving community grew to support the needs of the summer residents and they enjoyed many a picnic in the 'Waterfalls Paddock'.

The area was formerly part of John Carre Riddell's extensive landholdings. 

In 1919 the Upper Macedon Progress Association recognised the desirability of acquiring the area for public recreation and within a few weeks the Association had raised the sum of £300 which included a £50 donation from Sir Arthur Stanley, Governor of Victoria (1914 - 1920), after whom the park was named.

On 19 July 1919, Peace celebrations were held in the park to mark the end of World War 1. 

Children from the Upper Macedon School marched to the park, led by the school band, and the park was declared a place for public recreation and named Stanley Park. 

A committee of local residents manages the park on behalf of Macedon Ranges Shire Council. 

A second information at the viewing area down by the base of the falls (provided by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council) displays the following text:

STANLEY PARK

Approximately 6 million years ago a silica-rich lave (called trachyte) flowed down the flank of Mount Macedon. 

The lava most probably originated from Camels Hump. Turitable Creek flows off the edge of the solidified lava. 

Over time, erosion has undermined the face of the falls causing it to collapse (note the large blocks below the falls) and to slowly retreat upstream to its current position. 

SEE ALSO


Click to check out many more of the beautiful waterfalls of the Victorian Goldfields.

You may also be interesting in the top swimming spots of the Victorian Goldfields


DID YOU KNOW...

  • Bushwalking is an excellent way to get outdoors and exploring nature.
  • There are so many excellent playgrounds tucked away in little-known places. Take a look through this great list of playgrounds throughout the Victorian Goldfields.
  • There are hundreds of fantastic barbecue areas throughout the Victorian Goldfields. Some are in parks/playgrounds, others are scattered throughout the bush. Many barbecue areas are located alongside amazing attractions and walks, so go out for a barbecue and get exploring!
 

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