Warburton, Victoria, Australia
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.2km
Dog Friendliness: 7/10
Scenery and Enjoyment: 6/10
Accessibility: 6/10
Overall Score: 6.3/10
Welcome back to another adventure! Today, we walked the La La Falls hike, a short but sweet rainforest trail located about an hour from Melbourne and just five minutes from Warburton. This walk offers a mix of lush greenery, bubbling streams, and a picturesque waterfall at the end—a nice little escape from the city.
Starting the Adventure
Our journey began at the La La Falls carpark, where the trailhead is well-marked and easy to find. The hike gradually climbs through dense rainforest, with towering trees and the soothing sound of running water accompanying us along the way.
Be prepared for wet and rocky sections, as the path can be slippery in places. Sturdy, waterproof shoes are a must to navigate the terrain safely.
The Challenges Begin
Our day got off to an interesting start when I realised I’d forgotten Yuki’s harness. Thankfully, Megan saved the day by improvising a collar from random items we found in the car boot—a true testament to her creativity (it’s almost like she does this for a living).
Despite being a short hike, this track was surprisingly busy. We passed several dogs and lots of people along the way. The narrow sections of the trail made it tricky to navigate around other dogs, so if your dog is reactive or nervous, this might not be the best hike for you.
Scenic Highlights
One of the best parts of the hike was the stream running alongside the trail. There were several spots where the stream hugged the path closely, creating some truly pretty views.
We had hoped to stop for a picnic during the hike but quickly realised there weren’t any suitable spots to lay out our blanket. The narrow trail and dense forest left little room to pause and relax. In the end, we settled for eating our picnic in the car— not quite the experience we had envisioned!
Reaching the Falls
The La La Falls themselves were on the smaller side, but we didn’t mind. Yuki took full advantage of the opportunity to paddle around in the shallow water. True to form, she decided she wanted to swim further down the small river. Luckily, we had her on her Roam Wilder 10m long line, which let her explore safely without risking a tumble down the rocky stream.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the La La Falls hike is a great option for a short outing, especially if you’re a fan of rainforest scenery and don’t mind sharing the trail with others. The waterfall might not be the most impressive, but the peaceful surroundings and the chance for your pup to cool off make it worthwhile.
For those with reactive dogs or looking for a spot to relax mid-hike, this trail might not be the best fit due to its busy nature and lack of open spaces. However, for a quick escape into nature close to Melbourne, it’s a lovely choice.
Happy hiking! 🐾
