La La Falls Walk

La La Falls is the short, satisfying waterfall walk in the state forest above Warburton: about 2.7 km return, climbing beside Four Mile Creek through tall mountain ash and tree ferns to a fern-lined cascade. Dogs are welcome on lead here because it is Yarra State Forest rather than national park, and that distinction is the whole reason to come. The adjoining Yarra Ranges National Park does not allow dogs at all.

Leash status

On lead for the whole walk. Forest Fire Management Victoria manages this section of state forest and permits dogs on lead only. Keep them on it, especially on the narrow upper sections where passing walkers have nowhere to step aside. There are no bins at the trailhead or on the track, so carry waste back out with you.

The walk

The track follows an old timber tramway formation up the creek valley, crossing on handcrafted stone bridges through cool, damp rainforest gully. AllTrails grades it moderate, roughly an hour to an hour and a half with a dog, climbing steadily rather than steeply with rocky and rooty sections closer to the falls. There is a bench at the base of the falls if you want to sit while the dog drips. The falls run best after rain and can fade to a trickle in a dry summer.

Water and hazards

Four Mile Creek runs alongside most of the walk and is the obvious drink stop, cold and shallow with shaded access points the whole way up. The track turns muddy and slick after rain, and the rocky steps near the falls are where people come unstuck; take shorter steps on the descent. Snakes are active in the warmer months, so a short lead through the grassy stretches is sensible.

Getting there and parking

From Warburton, follow Park Road and Old Warburton Road to Irruka Road, where a small free gravel car park marks the trailhead. There are no toilets or water at the trailhead; the closest facilities are back in the Warburton township. Search for the La La Falls car park rather than the falls, since map apps will otherwise send you astray.

While you're out there

Back in town, the Warburton River Walk makes a flat, easy leg-stretcher along the Yarra to pair with the climb, and the town's cafes are dog-friendly at the outdoor tables.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly trails guide and the Warburton destination page.

Pepsi: an hour of fern gully and stone bridges to a waterfall, and the creek keeps a hot dog cool the whole way up. Save the paddling for the descent, because wet paws on wet rock is a bad combination.