Wannon Falls Explained

Wannon Falls
Photo Width:270px
Map:Australia Victoria
Map Width:270
Relief:yes
Coords:-37.6764°N 141.8408°W
Location:Grampian, Victoria, Australia
Type:Punchbowl
Height:30m (100feet)
Number Drops:1
Watercourse:Wannon River

The Wannon Falls[1] are a punchbowl waterfall located in the Southern Grampians Shire, approximately west of Hamilton, in western Victoria, Australia. The falls are fed by the Wannon River that has its head waters in the Grampians mountains.

Location and features

The falls are unexpected after driving west across gently undulating lava plains. They plunge over a basalt lava cliff dropping into a large plunge pool below.[2] In the winter wet season they can be spectacular, and at the end of the summer dry season they may shrink to a mere trickle. Downstream of the falls there is a narrow steep-walled valley, with cascades around large blocks that have fallen in from the sides. The narrow valley was eroded as the falls retreated upstream as a result of undermining of a soft bed of sediments that underlies the hard basalt.[3]

Adjacent to the falls there is a recreational reserve with picnic areas and some interpretation signs, and a larger scenic reserve that has natural native vegetation and some disturbed areas that have been replanted with natives.[4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wannon Falls. World of Waterfalls. Cheng, Johnny T.. 17 November 2014.
  2. Web site: Wannon & Nigretta Waterfalls. Visit South Grampians. Shire of Southern Grampians. 17 November 2014.
  3. Web site: Wannon & Nigretta Falls. PDF. Grimes, Ken. June 2005. Hamilton Field Naturalists Club. 17 November 2014.
  4. Web site: HFNC tree-planting & weed control work at Wannon Falls Scenic Reserve. PDF. Bird, Rod. November 2011. Hamilton Field Naturalists Club. 17 November 2014.