Thrills and Spills: Waterfalls Unleashed Part 1

Roll up! Roll Up!

A torrent of waterfalls right across Victoria are putting on a great show for those exploring the great outdoors.

I missed the early morning mists in Daylesford and Trentham last week, but the cascades at Trentham Falls quickly relieved any lingering disappointment.

Trentham Falls has easy accessibility by car and on foot. It is near the popular holiday destinations of Daylesford and Trentham.

With the compass pointing further southwest, Steve and I headed for the sheep-plains town of Hamilton near the Grampians.

We passed farmland drenched from weeks of heavy rain, the paddocks not just a panorama of sheep and cattle but also a spectacle of huge mirror-like puddles and dams full to the brim.

About 20 kilometres west of Hamilton are two waterfalls – the Nigretta and the Wannon Falls.

This year both these waterfalls attracted a lot of “oohs” and “aahs”, judging by the hordes gathered at the lookouts.

Husband Steve, who grew up in Hamilton, excitedly posted on Facebook, “… best flow I’ve seen here since I was a kid.”

Nigretta Falls (pronounced “nye-gret-uh”) was known long ago as The Upper Falls Up the Wannon.

The Nigretta Falls in full splendour.

The Nigretta was a picture of calm last spring in November with a mere trickle down the rockface.

So, what’s it like to “hang out” over the Nigretta Falls? Check out my video and get a feel for it.

About 10 kilometres downstream, the punchbowl-shape Wannon Falls also vied for attention with foaming river rapids culminating as a tumbling torrent down a massive rock cliff.

The Wannon River in full action.

Raging waters at the Wannon’s weir.

Waters the colour of tea at the Wannon Falls .

Watch the video of the Wannon Falls in all its wet season glory.

The Wannon Falls has two main viewing areas. One is reached from the picnic and camping area.

Or take a look from the Thomas Clark viewing area that is accessible by car or via a walking track from the main campground.

The view of the Wannon Falls from the Thomas Clark Lookout. Photographed from afar and at winter’s dusk, the Falls appeared mystical.

The Nigretta and the Wannon Falls are a jaw-dropping sight at the moment but like many seasonal waterfalls, it may be awhile until the next big gush.

If you miss out visiting these attractions, you will find the waterfalls beautifully preserved on canvas by Australian colonial artists such as Thomas Clark and Louis Buvelot.

Thomas Clark (1814-1883) painted these waterfalls from various views, including one that appears to be painted from a cavern behind the foot of the falls.

The Upper Falls on the Wannon (Thomas Clark, 1867). Image source: National Gallery of Victoria.

The Wannon Falls (Thomas Clark circa 1860). Image source: Hamilton Gallery.

The Wannon Falls – Proscenium View (Thomas Clark circa 1860). Image source: Melbourne Art Network.

 

Research sourced from:

Australian Dictionary of Biography – http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clark-thomas-3218

Hamilton Gallery – http://www.hamiltongallery.org/whats-on/2013/clark.html

Peter Walker Fine Art – http://www.peterwalker.com.au/thomas-clark.html

Melbourne Art Network – http://melbourneartnetwork.com.au/2013/10/22/exhibition-review-exposing-thomas-clark-a-colonial-artist-in-western-victoria-reviewed-by-david-hansen/