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Ow, nasty, I hope it heals quickly. It's not a big lake - it's about 2 km to walk around it. I didn't walk all the way along the track, so not sure what condition it is in at the eastern (upstream) end, but the walk through the pines was quite pleasant.

Yes, the pool was re-opened in April 2023 after a period in limbo due to water quality concerns from Parks Victoria. I commented on my Facebook feed at the time about this, because when the pool was re-opened, they seemed to be implementing operating rules that were similar to what they had in place before the temporary shut-down (with no comment at the time on whether they had considered other options). That is, to shut the pool down whenever the flow coming into the pool from the cave was very low. As far as I know, it's been ok in 2023/24 because of a relatively wet summer, but that might not be the case in future summer/autumn periods.

I was there late afternoon, so you can see the shadow starting to run across the falls. I think the best time is around the middle of the day to early afternoon (see the seasonal guide section on waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-nsw-whian-whian-falls.htm), particularly if you are going for a swim. For car parking, middle of the week will be better than weekends. Enjoy, and take care at the falls if the weather is wet.

Algae is a natural feature of most waterways and is not necessarily a problem for swimming, but when in higher concentrations it can cause some problems for swimmers. The most immediate problems are skin irritation for some people, and potential gut problems if you swallow the water while swimming. It's also not great for visibility of underwater hazards. It sounds like you've navigated these risks ok if you've been swimming here for a long time. The toxins in one type of algae (blue-green algae, which looks like algae but is actually a type of bacteria) have a potential link to motor-neurone disease (MND) (e.g. see www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-24/motor-neurone-disease-research-funding-notifiable-disease/102731736), with known hotspots for MND associated with lakes in France and southern NSW that are known to experience frequent blue-green algae blooms. Research into this link is still ongoing. Like I wrote in earlier comments, I don't want to be alarmist because I don't know whether blue-green algae is present in the water at Blue Lake or not. Swimming holes where blue green algae is monitored for recreational use are closed when blue-green algae is detected in higher concentrations. Take this response with a pinch of salt because I'm not a water quality scientist nor a medical practitioner, so I'd encourage you to do your own research. PS - thanks for the feedback on the videos.

For a place like Blue Lake, there are a few clues that suggest the water quality might not be suitable for swimming all the time. These include (i) the advisory signs on site (ii) the visibly green tinge to the water (iii) the scum and prolific algal growth near the shore (iv) a stagnant water body that doesn't have any visible throughflow (as noted by @aspiewithattitude3213) to flush out any nutrients in the water that can promote algal growth. It's hard to tell the difference between toxic and non-toxic forms of algae without formal testing. Other swimming locations sometimes have formal public water quality monitoring and modelling (e.g. the EPA's daily forecasts along the Yarra). You can also purchase your own water quality kits, which I haven't used, but I know some regular swimmers in the Yarra River have used from time to time.

Thanks thats so helpful 😄@@swimmingholeheaven 😎

It is a 3-4 km walk each way from either the Myers Road trail head car park or the Quarry picnic area. Walking times depend on how fit you are, because there are some long and sometimes steep uphill sections on the way back, but it is roughly a couple of hours each way. I completed the walk and had a swim in a single afternoon. If you have two cars, you can leave one at Meikles Point Picnic Area and keep walking downstream from Needles Beach through to the picnic area, which is around the same distance, but avoids the uphill walk. There are more details about my swim at swimmingholeheaven.com/vic-needles-beach.htm or for the walk through to Meikles Point at www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/werribee-gorge-state-park/things-to-do/walking

Yes, totally. Very occasionally in quarries and lakes with no local catchment there can still be groundwater throughflow that keeps the water clear, but it looks like that is not the case here. Quarry Reserve (swimmingholeheaven.com/vic-quarry-reserve.htm) is a very similar swim, but doesn't have quite a much algae as Blue Lake, probably because there has been less time passed since it became a lake, so less time for nutrients to accumulate in the water. However, still enough time for it to create an algae problem for the reasons you mention.

Yes, the 901 bus will get you to the start of Memorial Drive. It is then about a 3 km walk to Blue Lake. I can't confirm what type of algae it was in the video.

It was slow going for the snake but yes, it made it. I'm guessing it's not the first time it has swum across.

Yes, this has been noted on my website since it occurred February. Given the circumstances, I think we just need to give the authorities time to work out something suitable. After having visited hundreds of swimming holes, this is definitely one with higher than usual risks.

Thanks for the update @lilziro1662. The statement from Parks Victoria suggests that heavy rain has made the steps unstable. They are getting an engineering assessment done, so hopefully it will result in sturdier steps, similar to what was done at Sailors Falls, noting that that process took several years. See the statement from Parks Victoria about the current closure (hopefully temporary) at www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/turpins-falls-scenic-reserve.

I didn't stop at the Woods Reserve campground, so good to know it's a good place to camp. My swim at Gibraltar Falls is in the companion video czcams.com/video/0fhEfojeYTM/video.html. Great view but pretty cold.

Thanks Aspie. If there is a metropolitan bus stop or train station nearby, I try to make a note of the public transport options on the "how to get there" information for each swimming hole on my website. Enjoy your swims.

The baths are just under two metres deep. Most adult swimmers can stand up or touch the bottom.

Thanks Malcolm. The walk in is 700 metres, but because of the terrain, it feels like about 3 times that length. If you haven't seen it, there's more info like this about this spot at swimmingholeheaven.com/vic-black-duck-hole.htm including directions to get there.

Yes, locked up to vehicle access and a long steep hill when accessing on foot. Would be a magical spot to camp.

Thanks Kat, I'm really glad you found it useful. I hope you enjoy your visit to this lovely spot.

The lady at the council mentioned it when I spoke to her. I thought it was down deep at the bottom of the quarry, and that you'd have to dive down to it - I didn't realise it was that close to the surface. Does the lake level have to go down much to see it?

@@swimmingholeheaven it does have to be a little down in order for you to see it, the beautiful thing about lake Esmond, it's it was an accidental lake! Crane in there left to prove it. It's before a big drop. Sightly middlish if the lake but a little off to the left!

Great, thanks for the directions Tarryn. Sounds like a good dive site.

@@swimmingholeheaven more than welcome, I'm really enjoying your videos and as a fellow swimming hole lover, I thought I would share that with you. There is quite a few spots around Ballarat and surrounding areas I would love to share with you!

I'm always keen to hear about other swims I haven't experienced yet. It would be great if you could drop me a line on my suggest-a-swim page at swimmingholeheaven.com/home-sugg.htm to add to the bucket list of places I'd love to visit.

Hi Jenny, the falls are located within the Yarra State Forest, which for example means you can bring your dog. See the "Other Information Before You Go" at waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-la-la-falls-warburton.htm or search online for "Yarra State Forest, Forest Fire Management Victoria" for the government's pdf about the broader forest.

Thanks kingerz, I did not know that. I've been in the Labertouche caves a long time ago and they were fantastic.

And these ones have glowworm

With the right rock climbing gear and experience, apparently it is possible. I've heard there's a deck with shuffleboard up there, not far from the captain's quarters. See climbing routes at www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/australia/victoria/melbourne/area/2232667938, but only in dry conditions.

You need ladder s to get on top and attach ropes to the climbing hooks.

Hi Pri, there is a location marker of this swim on the map at swimmingholeheaven.com/vic-macedon-reservoir.htm. Scroll down until you reach the section titled 'Locality Map' or alternatively read the 'Getting there' information which has driving directions.

It's terrible news. According to media reports the child slipped in accidentally from the cliff top and the father jumped in to rescue the child. The child was rescued by others witnessing the incident but the father never resurfaced. There are warning signs at the top of the cliff, but no physical barriers for young children.

Yes, unfortunately no elevator at this one. Hopefully you can get them in training before you go.

Thanks for your kind feedback Nicole, much appreciated. I hope they encourage you to do some exploring. The good news is that Shiprock Falls is within the Melbourne metro area, so with restrictions easing at midnight tonight, anyone from across Melbourne can visit these falls from tomorrow.

All good, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the update. On 16th October there was 49 mm of rain at nearby Monbulk and 63 mm at Ferny Creek after a reasonably wet spring already, so fantastic conditions to see this waterfall. - almost enough for the Ship Rock to float away! Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks Chris, like most of us, just waiting for my 10 km radius to expand again!

The shape of the lake does look like the head of a buffalo from above, but the lake is more likely named after nearby Mount Buffalo, which I'm not sure why it was named as such. I don't know the traditional owner name for the mountain either. You can cross-country ski and toboggan up on Mount Buffalo in winter, but it's not high enough to get snow at Lake Buffalo itself.

Hi Carl, I'm not sure I've understood your question correctly, but the river is quite shallow in parts, particularly in summer, when it wouldn't be more than ankle/shin deep in most places. The pool where I swam immediately downstream of the falls is however at least two metres deep in the deepest part.

Hi Bob, you need to assess your own risks based on the conditions at the time and pay attention to the warnings on site. Typically you would want to avoid swimming here after heavy rain, which tends to occur over the summer months, when the river's high and the rocks can be slippery. I have seen kids of various ages swimming here, and it is definitely popular with teenagers, but you'd want younger kids under very close supervision and well away from the waterfall currents at both ends of the lower cascade, and at some of the smaller drop-offs upstream. As mentioned on my guide at swimmingholeheaven.com/qld-cougal-cascades.htm, getting down to the water can also be tricky for very young kids.

No, it's too cold for them in Victoria. The only crocs are the ones on peoples' feet.

Yes, Polly McQuinns is also a great spot, just east of Euroa, about 150 km from Turpins Falls. It's in my swimming hole guide, but haven't been back lately to film it for this channel.

Thanks Perry, glad you like them.

Thanks David, who knew?! Looks like I might have to pull on the hiking boots again. Is there a track as such upstream of the falls or is it a scramble? I went above the falls but didn't spot a track that continued on?

Hi Leyla, there are a handful of car spaces on the side of the road about halfway down Waterfall Gully Road. See the "Other Information Before You Go" section or the map below it on waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-kings-falls-arthurs-seat.htm for details. It's only about a 500 metre (5-10 minute) walk one way to the falls from there, but the track does hook up with the Two Bays Walking Track, which runs along the length of Arthur's Seat, if you want a longer walk.

Hi Sophie. Of the ones in the Melbourne metro area, only Dights Falls (waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-dights-falls-melbourne.htm) would be accessible with a pusher. It is a moderately steep path down to the river but paved all the way and the viewing platform has a hand rail. Dights Falls is a nice spot, but really more a weir than a waterfall. If you have a car, I'd strongly suggest Sailors Falls in Daylesford (waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-sailors-falls-daylesford.htm) which you can view from the car park plus it has a mineral spring for drinking that is also accessible by pusher. Under the "other information before you go" for each waterfall on my website waterfallseasons.com, see the information on wheelchair access, which would also be applicable to pushers, for other potential day trips for her. Best of luck with it.

Hi Brad, I took my aunt to Sailors Falls yesterday. It's beautiful and so easy for her to access the viewing platform, only 100m walk. You helped me to make her dream coming true! Really grateful! Thank you! 👍

Steavenson Falls in Marysville is outside of the Melbourne metropolitan area, which is why it was'not in my top 7 waterfalls in Melbourne, but you can easily reach it by car from Melbourne for a day trip. You can find out more about Steavenson Falls at waterfallseasons.com/waterfalls-in-victoria-steavenson-falls-marysville.htm

Great falls. Worth seeing for sure.

Thanks Susan. It's on the to-do list. I'm really looking forward to visiting the southern part of Heathcote National Park (Kingfisher Pool) when I next get the chance after the borders re-open.

​@@swimmingholeheavenPronounced Heath coat.

Thanks @xwhite2020. I'll try to use the local pronunciation in future videos. You can always spot the blow-ins when they call it Heath cut.