DELWP do not recommend this walk as it is is both remote and dangerous. Search and Rescue Police have requested that this trail be closed due to the numerous rescue operations to extract (at tax payers expense) inexperienced hikers who have either been injured or lost on the hike. As with all hikes, you need to ensure that you have the necessary gear, navigation skills and the experience to navigate the trail and return safety under your own steam. If you are uncertain about any hike then do not undertake it and never overestimate your abilities.
This Strath Creek and Tunnel Falls circuit explores a series of waterfalls, cascade and gullies in the Mount Disappointment State Forest. The remote and challenging hike commences at the Strath Creek Falls car park. Follow the signs from the car park along a well-formed track to the first lookout over Strath Falls.
The falls, formed by the Strath Creek, emerge at the top of a vast gorge, with a vertical drop of about 50 metres, then pass over a series of cascades, large boulders, and rocks. There are rugged cliffs and huge rock formations.
Continue to the lookout next to the falls and leave the trail upstream of the vertical drop. After crossing the creek continue east and commence your ascent of a steep open ridge, keeping between two shallow gullies. After approximately 500m you will intersect with McMahons Road. Turn left at this point and follow the road for approximately 600m until you reach the junction of Diggers Gully Road on your right. Follow Diggers Gully Road for 2.5km. At this point you should be close to or standing on a ridge between two gullies. One to your east and the other to the north. If you reach the junction of Diggers Link No 2 Road you have walked to far.
Leave the road at this point and head off trail in a north-easterly direction. Follow the top of the ridge as explores a series of knolls before turning slightly towards the east then plunges deeply into Diggers Gully below. Locate a steep spur to your north then descend along its length towards Diggers Gully Falls and the creek below.
Turn to the north-west and follow Diggers Gully for approximately 3km. At this point the gully widens and you should be able to easily locate Tunnel Creek to your left. A visit to Tunnel Falls is well worth the effort, with lots of rock scrambling, and should take you about an hour return. After viewing the falls retrace your steps back to Digger Gully.
On reaching Diggers Gully turn immediately left and ascent the steep but broad spur. As you near the top of the spur you will locate McMahons Track. Turn right at this point and walk approximately 200m to the junction of Gully Road. Turn left and walk for around 300m to a gate. At the gate, turn left and follow the top of the ridge line, off trail as it descends into the gully of Strath Creek.
Follow the creek upstream through the narrow gorge to explore Little Strath Falls and the lower sections of Strath Creek Falls. After approximately 1km you should be able to locate gullies on both the left and right of the gorge. If you look to your right at this point you will see the large black cliffs of Rebecca Falls.
Immediately after passing the gully to your right, leave the creek bed and commence the steep ascent along the wide grassy ridge to Strath Creek Falls Road. Turn left and walk a short distance back to the start point at the Strath Creek Falls Car park.
This hike should be undertaken by experienced hikers only as a large portion of the route is off trail and follows unmarked ridges and rocky creek beds. It is best to avoid this hike following heavy rain and waterfalls and creeks may be in flood. Ensure you carry adequate water and hiking poles.
Please don’t copy GPX files or content from this site to AllTrails or other platforms. Each trail has been personally mapped, documented, and refined to support Australia’s bushwalking and hiking community. While some details come from land managers, every listing reflects significant personal effort. This is a free, community-driven initiative—your respect helps keep it that way.
Total distance: 12731 m
Max elevation: 569 m
Min elevation: 307 m
Total climbing: 783 m
Total descent: -782 m
Getting to the trailhead: Mount Disappointment State Forest.
Take the Citylink Tollway towards Melbourne Airport, exit onto the Western Ring Rd to the Hume Freeway. Proceed out the Hume Freeway to Broadford. Turn right onto the Broadford/Flowerdale Road. Proceed along this road until Murchison Spur Road is reached on the right and then take this road. The road is gravel and can be difficult for a 2WD. After about 9Km turn left into Falls Road. There is a car park and picnic tables here but the final descent to the car park needs to be taken carefully.
Closest towns to this walk: Broadford, Flowerdale, Kinglake, Whittlesea, Yea
Mount Disappointment State Forest provides a beautiful haven for wildlife, visitors and associated recreation activities. With its many accessible camping areas, it provides opportunities to to enjoy bushwalking, horse riding, four-wheel driving and trail bike riding. Popular camping spots include Regular Camp, Andersons Garden and No. 1 Camp. Most visitor and camping areas have picnic tables, fireplaces and toilets.
Looking for more walks in or near Mount Disappointment State Forest? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
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5 Reviews on “Strath Creek & Tunnel Falls Hike (14km)”
Steven Anderson Bec Morris
Richie Vn Clinton Seto Nhuc Liu David Wu Lien Ha
Glenn Lee Neil Kupo Sunday…
Nevada huebeueueueu
One time we should have a date weekend and do this together Josh Mitchell
Stephanie Brosnan
Andrew Monti
Anny #ChallengeAccepted
Barney Ellard
Briony Browne.. is this THAT wall?
Dave McDonnell why not? ?
Did the track today in 4.5h, saw a lot of waterfalls, burned and flooded car carcasses, old gold mine diggings, skeletons of dead animals, weird geocaches with wombat skulls. It is a pleasant but demanding hike, don’t forget your decent shoes, gloves, hiking poles, and above all be fit to finish it. Last but not least thing you need either GPS tracker or be good in navigating in the bush.
Donna, lets get the girls down there in spring?
Great hike. I would say it’s a Grade 5 hike. Apart from the main roads the rest is all bush. No trail at all. Rapid steep ascends.
Plenty to see. 4 waterfalls and heaps wild life. If you are up for a good challenge this is a must!
I loved this hike. It took us 9 hours as we went after rain which made following the streams and creeks extra difficult.
I might plan this one. But not on your date weekend ?
Jess Robertson
Let’s go
Lets go!!
Looks amazing
Lorey Smith Jody Cee
Lucia Zelesco
Melissa Braund have to get back into it
Laurence Brown
Brendan Kolehmainen
Brendan Williams
#makeithappen you realise this is the one with the waterfall crossing right?