Waterfalls in Southern Tasmania: 24 Best Walks & Locations

Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park is widely regarded as Tasmania’s most iconic waterfall. A tiered cascade set in ancient myrtle rainforest, it has been drawing visitors since the 1880s and was used on an 1899 postage stamp to promote Tasmanian tourism. The walk is an easy 20-minute circuit from the Mount Field visitor centre, making it accessible to all ages and fitness levels. A Tasmania Parks Pass is required for entry to Mount Field National Park.

Strickland Falls in South Hobart is one of the closest and easiest — a short walk off Strickland Avenue that takes around 20 minutes return. Silver Falls at Fern Tree (beginning opposite the Fern Tree Tavern) and Secret Falls on the Myrtle Gully Track are also popular easy options within 20 minutes of the city. None of these require a Parks Pass.

Pelverata Falls in the Huon Valley is one of the tallest accessible waterfalls in Southern Tasmania, dropping approximately 114 metres. It can be reached via a moderate 6km return walk (approximately 2 hours) and doesn’t require a Parks Pass. The walk passes through tall eucalypt and rainforest, and on the way out you may glimpse Slippery Falls on a distant hillside.

Not for all of them — many of the most popular waterfall walks are on public land outside national parks and are free to access. However, a Tasmania Parks Pass is required for any waterfall within a national park, including Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Lady Barron Falls (all in Mount Field National Park), Arve Falls (Hartz Mountains National Park), Adamsons Falls (Southwest National Park), and Waterfall Bay (Tasman National Park). Passes can be purchased online at passes.parks.tas.gov.au.

Most waterfalls are accessible year-round, though flow is generally most impressive in winter and after heavy rain. Some higher-altitude tracks (particularly in Hartz Mountains and Mount Field alpine areas) may be affected by snow or ice in winter — always check Parks Tasmania alerts before setting out. Tracks can become muddy and slippery in wet weather; sturdy waterproof footwear is recommended for all but the flattest walks.

Swimming is possible at some waterfall pools, though the water is typically very cold year-round given Tasmania’s climate and mountain sources. Pelverata Falls and Snug Falls both have rock pools that attract swimmers in the warmer months. Always assess conditions carefully — waterfall pools can have strong currents after rain, submerged rocks, and cold water shock risks. There are no lifeguards at any of these locations.

Several waterfall walks are ideal for families. Russell Falls (Mount Field) is an easy 20-minute circuit on a well-formed path suitable for young children and prams. Snug Falls is a popular family outing — around 1 hour return, dog-friendly, and ending at a beautiful fern-gully pool. Silver Falls at Fern Tree is another easy option. Strickland Falls and Secret Falls near Hobart are both short and well-suited to children.

Waterfall Bay is one of the most dramatic waterfall experiences in Southern Tasmania — not a traditional walk to a falls but a clifftop track that reveals a waterfall plunging directly into the sea from sea cliffs among the highest in the Southern Hemisphere. The walk is 1.7km one way (1–1.5 hours return) and is listed among Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. It is located in Tasman National Park and requires a Parks Pass.