Open Source Photographic Guide Project.
These guides are created as part of a project designed to assist photographers with knowledge of locations from all over the world. To see more guides for Victoria, Australia, please go to the http://freephotoguidesaustvic.blogspot.com . To find out more about this project, please go to http://freephotoguides.blogspot.com.
Introduction.
East of Melbourne is the beautiful town of Noojee. Hidden in a wonderful valley at the foot of Mt Baw Baw, the closest snow resort to Melbourne, this is also the home of an extremely beautiful section of rivers and waterfalls, that are a photographer's dream. It contains a number of wonderful photographic opportunities, and its access is fairly easy for all ages.
Special Photographic Features or Notes.
Once you have reached the carpark, you can follow the path to the bridge across the Toorongo River. This spot is well worth a couple of photos and I have been known to wade up stream (carefully), from here, to get some very nice shots of the water flowing over the river rocks.
Once you have satisfied your initial hunger, you can commence the trek up to the falls. As you follow the track, you will come to a fork which leads to Toorongo Falls (right) and Amphitheatre Falls (left). The latter can be reached from Toorongo Falls, after you have finished. It is a steady uphill walk, and does not cater for wheel chairs. Older people will have the opportunity to stop at a number of spots along the way if required, but it is only a 25 minute walk to get there.
Along the way, there are a couple of spots to your right, that offer photographic opportunities of the cascading river that runs after the falls, shrouded in tall trees and beautiful tree ferns. Lyrebirds can also be seen as you work your way up, so keep your eyes open. As you get closer, you can hear the roar of the falls, which would be 6 to 8 meters across, and after a heavy rain, in beautiful, full flow. When you reach the falls, you will find yourself on a large viewing platform at the base to the side, and the view for a photographer is exceptional, and uninterrupted.
Amphitheater Falls.
After you have exhausted yourself with Toorongo Falls, you can head back down the path. To the right is the turn off to Amphitheatre Falls, which is approximately 5 minutes away. Like Toorongo Falls, there is a large viewing platform, and the falls are of a similar size to the previous. After you finish here, follow the path back to the car park, to relax and take in all you have seen. For those that are confident, there are a number of spots along the river at which you may enter to improve your shots of the numerous cascades. You need to be aware of some of the deeper pools though and are best to do so with the company of a friend, in case you do get into difficulty.
Special Equipment.
Sturdy footwear for the walk, or footwear that has good grip if you intend to enter the water at some point.
A tripod is not required to take general photographs, but if you want to create the blur so often seen in waterfall shots, then it is a must. If you intend to enter the water, you will need a very sturdy tripod.
A Neutral Density Filter and a Polarizer Filter would be handy, but are not a requirement.
A wide angle lens is certainly an advantage. Something in the 28 mm range is okay, but wider if you can get hold of one.
Best Time To Shoot.
Generally, it pays to shoot early, or late, as the sun rises from over the falls and can make the shot very difficult, but the best time is an overcast day, when the light is very even and you can set slower shutter speeds. This also ensures that you get low contrast scenes. I will usually get there before the sun is due to rise, because long shutter speeds are not a problem for the types of shots I require.
Getting There.
Getting to Toorongo Falls will require a drive of approximately 1 3/4 hours from Melbourne. The drive follows the Princes Highway to the Drouin turn off, and then follow the sign posts to Mt Baw Baw and Noojee. From Melbourne the travel is all on the Freeway, until the Drouin turn off, and then you travel through some beautiful rolling countryside, which in its own right will offer a number of great photographic opportunities. Those wishing to have a snack or hot drink on the way will find some beautiful country cafes in Neerim and Noojee, or you can save them for the trip back. Just before entering the valley in which Noojee sits, you will find a lookout that on a good morning will see the valley shrouded in fog and mist, as the sun rises above the horizon.
When you reach Noojee, follow the signs to Mt Baw Baw, and approximately 5 kilometers out of town, you will veer left onto the Toorongo Falls Rd. From here it is approximately a further 4 kilometers. Once again, this section of the trip affords some great views the hidden valley, into which Toorongo falls runs.
When you reach the end of the road, at the Toorongo Falls Car Park, you will be greeted by a welcoming set of very clean toilets, where you can freshen up before the walk to the falls.
Also in area, you will find the famous Noojee Trestle Bridge, which is just as you come into Noojee from Melbourne, but I will leave that for another day.
Wayne Cherry
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Great place
Took your advice and visited the falls and what a gem it was. Also dropped in to the Noojee Trestle Bridge and another gem.
Wayne
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Kathryn Potempski
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Fantasic Info
you have spent a great deal of your valuable time here congrats and well done I will most certainty be up that way over Christmas break and this will help no end.
thanks
Kathryn
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Brent Pearson
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Lovely Guide Mark
This is a superb guide, you have some great photos. What a sensational spot!!!!
Brent