Tasmania's Top 13 Waterfalls to Add to Your Aussie Bucket List
Tasmania 22 March 2023
Continue reading for each of the top Aussie Bucket List waterfalls that you must visit when travelling to Australia's island state, Tasmania.
TOP 13 Tasmanian waterfalls
1 - Nelson Falls
Image credit: Craig Vertigan via Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
Nelson Falls is a must-see Aussie Bucket List natural attraction located near Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's north-west. A delightful short walk from the Lyell Highway—the last between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown—takes visitors alongside a burbling river to a beautiful set of falls. The mossy forest, featuring sassafras, myrtle and a variety of ferns, gives hints of the high rainfall in this area. These falls are always a wonderful sight, but can be a spectacularly roaring torrent after heavy rain. Return via the same track.
Along the boardwalk to Nelson Falls you will come across interpretation panels highlighting the ancient plants you see along the way, including at least seven species of fern. These interpretation panels will take you on a journey back in time to when Tasmania was a part of the great supercontinent of Gondwana.
Among the forest trees you will discover ancient species that once dominated the Australian landmass, but are now confined to the wetter regions of Tasmania and south-east and eastern mainland Australia. Many of the species of these cool temperate rainforests are only suited to the cool, moist conditions of places such as the Nelson Valley.
For further information and to add Nelson Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
2 - Meander Falls
Image credit: Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre
The hike to Meander Falls in Tasmania's Great Western Tiers is an Aussie Bucket List experience for the avid adventurer. Located just 50 minutes drive from Launceston or Devonport, this hidden gem turns into a snow covered, winter wonderland during the winter season.
Winding its way through the gorgeous surrounds of the Meander Conservation Area, this full-day walk will take you away from the region’s more popular areas, deep into the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Great Western Tiers. The walk rewards you with a spectacular view of the 130m high falls and is a fantastic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch. The reward is worth the effort to get there. There is a hybrid toilet and information board located at the car park. Meander Falls Track is grade 3 and will take you 6-7 hours to complete.
For further information and to add Meander Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
3 - Liffey Falls
Image credit: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services | Cam Blake
Liffey Falls are located one hour from Launceston in the north of Tasmania are a must-see bucket list attraction when visiting Australia's only island state. The main attraction of the Liffey State Reserve is Liffey Falls themselves, nevertheless you can also find spectacular tall trees, plentiful wildlife and numerous small walks within this scenic corner of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
These beautiful, multi-level falls are nestled in deep, mossy forest beneath the spectacular Great Western Tiers. Water from the plateau flows into the Liffey River. As it rushes downslope it erodes away the softer mudstone, exposing sandstone steps over which the abundant waters tumble.
There are two walking tracks to the falls. The walk from the top car park, which has picnic facilities, offers a shorter, well-made walking track. The track from the lower car park, where there are minimal facilities, is longer and not as well formed. Both tracks lead you through some wonderful tracts of rainforest.The walk will take you past four main cascades, starting upstream with Alexandra Falls, then Hopetoun Falls, Albert Falls and Victoria Falls (the latter commonly known simply as "Liffey Falls"). Viewing platforms along the track provide great opportunities for photography.
The upper car park is where Liffey Falls Great Short Walk begins. You will also find shelters, information boards, picnic and barbecue facilities at this car park. A few minutes stroll from here, is the aptly named ‘Big Tree’ walk to a 50 metre tall gumtopped stringybark with a trunk diameter of more than 3 metres. The access road to the upper car park is not suitable for camper vans, buses, or caravans, visitors travelling via these modes will need to start their walk at the lower car park.
The Lower car park and campgrounds is suitable for camper vans, buses, or caravans. You can follow the longer walking track to Liffey Falls from here. The walk follows the path of an original logging tramway, and provides beautiful glimpses of Dry’s Bluff – perhaps with a dusting of snow on top, if you time it right. As you weave your way through the dense rainforest, the track opens up to meet a walking bridge as you traverse across the Liffey river. Take a moment or two on the sturdy bridges to enjoy the calming sound of the water flowing past. A walk along this track will encounter many stairs and take approximately 2-3 hours return.
No Parks Pass is required to visit Liffey Falls State Reserve.
For further information and to add Liffey Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
4 - Waratah Falls
Image credit: Waratah-Wynyard Council
Waratah Falls is a remarkable waterfall uniquely located in the middle of the picture-postcard township of Waratah. Over 100 years ago water races and tunnels fed water to the falls, and then diverted to a nearby power station to produce hydro power. Today the falls provide a picturesque view for picnickers and photographers from Kings Park or the grand old Bischoff Hotel.
For further information and to add Waratah Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
5 - Russell Falls
Image credit: via Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service
It’s a short and beautiful walk to Tasmania’s favourite waterfall. It was formed when horizontal beds of soft rock eroded back to more resistant rock that had vertical faces. But as you stand in the mossy, deep green forest, and watch the water cascading gently over multiple levels, you don’t need to know its geology. Just breathe deep and enjoy its awesome beauty. When it’s time to leave, return via the same route or take the loop track back on the other side of the fern-filled creek. You may even spy a platypus in the creek.
This easy walk will take you through a mixed forest comprising towering swamp gums, the tallest flowering plant on Earth, and species typical of wet forests and cool temperate rainforests, such as dogwood, musk and myrtle.
At night, glow worms can be seen among the vegetation on the approach to the falls; however, you will need to turn torches off. A handrail will help you move along the track in the dark.
For further information and to add Russell Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
6 - Philosopher Falls
Image credit: Waratah Wynyard Council
Follow the historic mining water race along an easily accessible walking track that leads to a view of Philosopher Falls -named after the man who changed the fortunes of the entire state of Tasmania through his discovery of tin at Mt Bischoff, near Waratah. Just a ten kilometre drive out of Waratah, on the B23 road to Corinna, you will discover this stunning short walk that provides a glimpse into the wild and mysterious Tarkine rainforest. Autumn is the best time to see the cartoon-like fungi dotted all along the track, but at any time of the year, this is an experience you don't want to leave off your bucket list.
The Falls lookout is at the end of the 45-minute stroll into the forest (there is a stairway leading to the base of the falls), however even a short ten-minute walk in from the car park will reward you with a magical 'Alice in Wonderland' experience.
For further information and to add Philosopher Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
7 - Pencil Pine Falls
Image credit:
Pencil Pine Falls are a must-see bucket list attraction located just behind the interpretive centre at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. The Pencil Pine Falls and Rainforest Walk is an easy short, 10 minute walk, located behind the Cradle Mountain Interpretive Centre. Suitable for all fitness abilities and for wheel chairs, you will enjoy the beautiful falls from the viewing platform.
There are picnic facilities and toilets located at the Interpretive Centre at the start of the walk.
A valid parks pass is required to enter National Parks in Tasmania. Visit the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website to purchase your pass online and to view safety information for the area.
For further information and to add Pencil Pine Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
8 - Montezuma Falls
Image credit: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services - Cam Blake
Montezuma Falls, near Rosebery on Tasmania's west coast, is Tasmania's highest waterfall. The track to the falls begins at Williamsford, two kilometres south of Rosebery.
This easy, three-hour return walk along a level track takes you to the base of the 104 metre falls through pleasant park-like rainforest of leatherwood, myrtle, sassafras and giant tree ferns. You may see native wildlife along the way, including several species of birds. The track follows the historic route of the former North East Dundas Tramway right to the base of Montezuma Falls. The creek immediately below the falls was once spanned by a wooden trestle bridge, 160 feet long and 50 feet high. Today derelict pieces of timber, moss-covered concrete piers and rusty bolts are the only remains of this bridge.
Facilities at nearby Rosebery include picnic facilities, shops and toilets. Rosebery is a 90-minute drive south of Burnie.
For further information and to add Montezuma Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
9 - Lady Barron Falls
Image credit: Licensed by Aussie Bucket List®
The lower parts of the Mount Field National Park, famous for Russell Falls, have much more to offer.
This 6km circuit takes in not only Russell Falls, but also some of the other natural features of this section of the park. Most do the circuit anticlockwise, starting with the short walk to Russell Falls, then climbing to the beautiful Horseshoe Falls.
The track continues through the Tall Trees walk, taking in some magnificent specimens of swamp gums (Eucalyptus regnans)—the world's tallest flowering plant.
Next stop on this walk is Lady Barron Falls—a pretty little cascading waterfall which is particularly scenic after rain. Like Russell and Horseshoe falls, Lady Barron Falls is composed of marine Permian siltstone, faced by retreating sandstone layers. All three falls provide a glimpse of the underlying geology in a heavily forested area where the geology is otherwise hidden beneath vegetation and soils.
The long loop back to the visitor centre finishes with a long flight of wooden steps.
For further information and to add Lady Barron Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
10 - Horseshoe Falls
Image credit: Licensed by Aussie Bucket List®
The lower parts of the Mount Field National Park, famous for Russell Falls, have much more to offer.
The 6km Three Falls Circuit, starting from the Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre takes in not only Russell Falls, but also some of the other natural features of this section of the park. Most do the circuit anticlockwise, starting with the short walk to Russell Falls, then climbing to the beautiful Horseshoe Falls.
The track continues through the Tall Trees walk, taking in some magnificent specimens of swamp gums (Eucalyptus regnans)—the world's tallest flowering plant.
Next stop on this walk is Lady Barron Falls—a pretty little cascading waterfall which is particularly scenic after rain. Like Russell and Horseshoe falls, Lady Barron Falls is composed of marine Permian siltstone, faced by retreating sandstone layers. All three falls provide a glimpse of the underlying geology in a heavily forested area where the geology is otherwise hidden beneath vegetation and soils.
The long loop back to the visitor centre finishes with a long flight of wooden steps.
For further information and to add Horseshoe Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
11 - Hogarth Falls
Image credit: Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service | Craig Vertigan
One of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks, this walk starts at the top of Peoples Park in Strahan and is a gentle, meandering stroll through sweet-smelling bush to a delightful waterfall. Local schoolchildren share their connections with the place on interpretive signs along the way. For a pleasant, more extended walk, leave the car in the town centre and take the foreshore walking track to and from the park itself.
For further information and to add Hogarth Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
12 - Champagne Falls
Image credit: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services
All three falls are on one 2.5-hour return walk from Lemonthyme Lodge at Moina, on the way to Cradle Mountain. The Bridal Veil Falls cascade 20 metres into Bulls Creek. In full flow they form a rectangular curtain of water and at lower flow form a series of vertical columnar strands draping the underlying rock wall.
The walk leaves Lemonthyme Lodge and at first follows a four-wheel-drive track past the manager’s residence, uphill. After about 40 minutes the walk levels out then descends. As the descent begins, there is a spur to Champagne falls. Continue past this to get to Bridal Veil Falls – the track loops around to reconnect to the Champagne falls anyway.
Staff at Lemonthyme Lodge request for you to register your walk with them prior to venturing out for the day.
For further information and to add Champagne Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
13 - Bridal Veil Falls
Image credit: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services
As above, all three falls are on one 2.5-hour return walk from Lemonthyme Lodge at Moina, on the way to Cradle Mountain. The Bridal Veil Falls cascade 20 metres into Bulls Creek. In full flow they form a rectangular curtain of water and at lower flow form a series of vertical columnar strands draping the underlying rock wall. The walk leaves Lemonthyme Lodge and at first follows a four-wheel-drive track past the manager’s residence, uphill.
After about 40 minutes the walk levels out then descends. As the descent begins, there is a spur to Champagne falls. Continue past this to get to Bridal Veil Falls – the track loops around to reconnect to the Champagne falls anyway.
As with Champagne Falls, staff at Lemonthyme Lodge request that you register your walk with them prior venturing out for the day.
For further information and to add Bridal Veil Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.
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