Broken Falls Lookout

Overview

About Broken Falls Lookout

Why stop

Wide river-and-waterfall view from a short, level approach
Easy to pair with the MacKenzie Falls precinct

Heads up

The view is broad rather than close-up
Flow is less dramatic during dry spells

Broken Falls is the broad, broken cascade of the MacKenzie River just upstream from MacKenzie Falls. From the cantilevered viewing platform, you look across the upper falls as the river breaks over red-brown rock and drops toward the gorge. It is a different experience from the steep walk to the base of MacKenzie Falls: this is the place for the wide, elevated view rather than spray at water level.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy stop

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightBroken Falls Lookout-37.11055, 142.41255

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Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Late winter and spring, or the first day or two after useful rain, usually give the river the most energy and the cascades the best definition. In a dry spell, the water can look gentler and the exposed rock becomes more prominent. Go early on a weekday for the quietest platform and easiest parking. Soft morning light or bright overcast conditions are kindest for photographing both white water and the dark gorge; harsh midday sun can leave the falls in patchy shadow.

Walk and access

The signed Broken Falls Walk starts at MacKenzie Falls car park and is about 500 metres return, taking roughly 10 minutes. The approach passes through open stringybark forest and has only a slight gradient, making it suitable for prams, wheelchairs and visitors who want a worthwhile waterfall view without the 200-plus stairs to the lower falls. The walk can continue into the wider MacKenzie River walking network, but the short lookout visit works well on its own.

5 active Grampians alerts

ClosureBushfire-damaged walks and picnic area remain closedThe Fortress, Red Gum, Billimina, Chimney Pots and Brownings Loop walks, plus Mafeking Picnic Area, remain closed because of track or site damage from the 2024/25 summer bushfires.Official details
ClosureMackenzie Falls precinct closed during constructionThe Mackenzie Falls (Migunang wirab) Precinct has no vehicle or visitor access during major construction works expected to finish by the end of 2026.Official details

See all 5 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Grampians Tour Guide

Your drive to Broken Falls Lookout, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Grampians National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this place

MacKenzie Falls: Choose Your Walk

0:00 / 1:04

“You're coming up on MacKenzie Falls, and this is a stop I'd make time for, even if a steep walk isn't for you. The falls flow all year, dropping over dark rock into a deep pool and sending spray through the gorge.”

Plays as you drive up to Broken Falls Lookout in the Parkwolf Grampians Tour Guide.

More about Broken Falls Lookout

Plan the visitParking, a public toilet and a picnic area are available at the car park, and there is no…

Parking, a public toilet and a picnic area are available at the car park, and there is no reliable phone service at the stop. Bring water and shoes with a secure sole. Stay on the track and viewing platform rather than scrambling onto the rocks: wet rock is slippery, and the park also warns about falling limbs. Dogs, bicycles, fires, camping and drones without a permit are not permitted here.

The lookout is popular because it is easy to reach, so the platform and car park feel busiest on weekends and holiday mornings. It is worth pairing with MacKenzie Falls when access is available, but do not assume the short walk means the lower waterfall route is equally easy.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Grampians

All Grampians wildlife maps

157 sightingsShort-beaked EchidnaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

37 sightingsPowerful OwlMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

59 sightingsWedge-tailed EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

24 sightingsEastern Brown SnakeMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

10 sightingsTiger SnakeMost seen around noonSighting map

29 sightingsRed-bellied Black SnakeMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Grampians. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.