The best waterfall hikes and walks in Yarra Bend Park

Galatea Point sits on a bend of the Yarra River surrounded by open woodland, riverside bush, and wide views across one of the quieter corners of Yarra Bend Park. The area is known for its large River Red Gums and calm stretches of river popular with kayakers, rowers, and waterbirds moving through the park. Walking tracks loop around the point and connect into the wider Yarra trail network towards Dights Falls and Studley Park.

Collins Bridge crosses the Yarra River in one of the quieter sections of Yarra Bend Park, linking riverside walking and cycling tracks beneath a canopy of River Red Gums. From the bridge, you get open views along the river corridor and down towards the surrounding bushland, with rowers, kayakers, and waterbirds regularly moving through this stretch of the Yarra. It’s also a good spot to pause before continuing towards Dights Falls or Galatea Point.

Heritage Gardens sits beside the Yarra River with open lawns, mature trees, picnic areas, and walking paths linking into the wider Yarra Bend trail network. The gardens were developed on former institutional grounds and now form one of the calmer sections of the park, with easy river access and regular views across the surrounding bushland and escarpments.

Dights Falls is a picturesque rocky cascade on the Yarra River, situated at the junction with Merri Creek. The falls were created by a low bluestone weir constructed in the 19th century, resulting in a series of rapids that have become a distinctive feature of the river. Surrounded by lush parkland and shared walking and cycling trails, this area is a favourite spot for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as for those who enjoy watching kayakers skilfully navigate the rushing waters.

The Fairfield Amphitheatre in Fairfield Park is a 12.5 by 10-metre circular performance space and can seat 350 people. It's a great spot for a break on a ride or walk and one of the park's many amenities, alongside a boathouse, café, restrooms, picnic area, and tea gardens.

Yarra Bend Park is home to one of Australia’s largest colonies of grey-headed flying foxes, with numbers often reaching into the tens of thousands. During the day, they roost along the Yarra River, hanging in dense groups before taking flight at dusk. The colony is nationally significant but under pressure from habitat loss and heat stress. Conservation efforts are ongoing here, so it’s worth observing from a distance to avoid disturbance.

The Capital City Trail follows the Yarra River through leafy stretches of parkland, offering consistent river views as you move between bushland and urban edges. Along this section, the path runs close to the water, where you can watch the current flow past tree-lined banks and pockets of native vegetation. The track is shared with cyclists, so keep left and stay aware of passing traffic.

The Yarra River winds through Melbourne before flowing into Port Phillip Bay, shaping much of the city’s parkland and trail network along its banks. In Yarra Bend Park, the river narrows into a quieter, more natural corridor lined with native vegetation and occasional sandy edges. Water levels and flow vary with rainfall, and swimming is not recommended due to currents and water quality. The river attracts birdlife year-round and provides a calm backdrop for walking and cycling along nearby shared paths.