Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk: Gippsland walking & camping

Gippsland, east of Melbourne, is a region full of surprises. Even for most Melbournians, Toorongo Falls is a perfect example.

Only two hours from the city, Toorongo Falls Reserve is nestled amongst some of Victoria’s most gorgeous cool temperate rainforest. It protects Toorongo Falls and Amphitheatre Falls, both of which you’ll take in on the Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk. The walk starts a short distance from Toorongo Falls Camping Area, making this the perfect place to camp even if only for a night. The walk is kid friendly and the campground is set on the banks of the Toorongo River, where the kids can make memories playing and roasting marshmallows on the campfire after their bushwalk. They might even spot a possum, sugar glider, wallaby or the elusive black cockatoo on their visit. The falls tend to flow even in drought times, making this a great weekend camping destination all year round (dependent on your dislike of cold weather)

The tiny town of Noojee and the nearby Noojee Trestle Bridge are only a few kilometres away. They’re just a couple of the interesting places you could also visit during your stay.

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Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk

From the Toorongo Falls Day Visitor Area, head up the track to the right of the toilet block and start climbing gently uphill alongside Little Toorongo River. Enjoy the stunning cascades on the way up as you weave through giant tree ferns, Mountain Grey Gum, Mountain Ash, Manna and Blackwood. You’ll soon start to see the falls in the distance and after only 600 metres you’ll reach the viewing platform at the base of their biggest tier, where you can sit and enjoy the falls tumbling over the rocky cliff face into the valley below.

At this point, you can return via the same track for a 1.2-kilometre total walk (known as the Toorongo Falls Walk), but I recommend continuing on for another 600 metres to Amphitheatre Falls on the Toorongo River. It’s not as big or as impressive as Toorongo Falls but there’s an impressive lookout built over the river which allows a spectacular view of the falls. It would be particularly impressive after heavy rains.

The trail continues along the Toorongo River back to the campsite. The vegetation and the river views actually make this the prettiest part of the walk.

Need to Know

Park: Toorongo Falls Reserve (managed by Baw Baw Shire Council)
Region: Eastern Victoria.

Map: No map is necessary but the best map available is this one from DELWP.
Access: From Melbourne, head east on the Princes Freeway, turning left at the Drouin exit towards Noojee (C426). Continue through Noojee and head east for another 4 kilometres, then turn left onto Toorongo Falls Road. Follow this through Toorongo Falls Camping Area to the Day Visitor Area.
Address: 640 Toorongo Valley Road, Noojee (3833).
Further Info: Tracks can be muddy and slippery during wet periods. There are toilets and picnic tables at the Toorongo Falls Day Visitor Area.

Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk
Length: 2.2 km
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Grade: Easy / Grade 2 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System).
Style: Circuit.
Path Taken: Depart from the carpark at Toorongo Falls Visitor Area and follow the signs for the loop walk, returning to the carpark.

Toorongo Falls Walk
Length: 1.2 km
Time: 45 min
Grade: Easy / Grade 2 (according to the Australian Walking Track Grading System).
Style: Return.
Path Taken: As above but stop at the lookout at the base of Toorongo Falls and retrace your steps to the carpark.

Toorongo Falls Camping Area

While there are other options for Noojee camping, Toorongo Falls Camping Area is by far the most popular, and for good reason.

Unfortunately, one of the campgrounds two huge sections was closed for maintenance during our stay, but the one we stayed in was incredibly well set up with central pit toilets and fireplace at most sites. It’s just as well equipped for tents as it is for campers, vans and camper trailers. With the river tumbling away beside our site and the dense forest around us teeming with wildlife, we were very happy campers.

There are no fees, permits or bookings required to camp here but that can make visiting in peak times a bit risky. Make sure you have a backup option in case you can’t find a spot or you’re just turned off by the number of people (I recommend an app like WikiCamps for finding campgrounds on the go).

The nearest supplies are available 6 kilometres down the road in Noojee (if the general store is open) and during peak times, the owner of the general store visits the campground between 4pm and 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, selling ice, firewood, milk, bread and snacks. Dogs are welcome at Toorongo Falls Reserve, provided they are on a lead and under control.

Nearby

Noojee Trestle Bridge - Noojee - Victoria

Noojee Trestle Bridge is probably most often visited by people who happen to spot tourist sign (about 1.5 km west of the Noojee General Store) on their way to one of the region’s other attractions, but it’s well worth a visit. One of the oldest wooden trestle bridges in Victoria, it’s just over 100 metres long and 20 metres high. There were other bridges like this in the area, but most have been destroyed by fire. Parking at the base of the bridge allows a great opportunity for photography, or if you’re up for stretching the legs you can climb the stairs either side of the bridge and cross over, returning down the other side. The views from the top are impressive but the bridge is worth seeing from every angle. The bridge makes up part of the Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail, a 3 kilometre each way trail suitable for families, following the old Noojee Railway line.

Distance: 250 metres
Time: 30 minutes
Grade: Easy / Grade 3
Style: Circuit

Noojee is a small gold mining and logging town which now caters mainly to tourists, being on the main route between Melbourne and Mount Baw Baw. It’s home to a café, general store, the Noojee Hotel and a favourite stop-off for many tourists – The Outpost Retreat/Toolshed Pub.

Noojee’s Alpine Trout Farm is a fantastic stop for families to stop and fish for trout or salmon. A guaranteed catch for the kids is always an attractive prospect. They provide BBQs on site so you can relax and enjoy your catch in the picturesque surrounds, or if you’re on your way back to town you’re free to take it with you. Fishing rods and bait are free so you only need to pay for what you catch.

Have you visited Toorong Falls or Noojee? If you have any stories, updates or corrections, please let us know by commenting below.

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