Tasmania is home to over 200+ waterfalls that are dotted around the state.
With some of the most beautiful, lush rainforests you will find anywhere in the world and a high average rainfall it is not hard to understand why there are so many of them. Around the Hobart & Beyond region, we have some of the most popular and well-known waterfalls in Tasmania. Within an hour’s drive of Hobart in all directions you will find many spectacular examples of Mother Nature at her finest. Here is a list of 10 must-visit waterfalls in Southern Tasmania as compiled by our local intrepid explorer, waterfall hunter and all round nice guy @tassiegrammer over on Instagram. This is by no means a fully comprehensive list, but provides some very accessible waterfalls, and is sure to get you started in your search of these cascading tiers of beauty Tasmania is so well known for.
1. Russell Falls
Without a doubt, Russell Falls is the most popular and probably the most famous of all waterfalls for visitors to Tasmania. Located in Mt Field National Park, Russell Falls was featured on a set of 8 pictorial postage stamps in 1899 to promote tourism to the region and is part of the first registered National Park in Tasmania. This spectacular two-tiered waterfall is easily accessible via a 10-minute walk from the main Mt Field National Park visitor centre which is just over an hour’s drive From Hobart via New Norfolk. Water generally flows over Russell Falls all year round, but is best during winter as the snow on the local mountains melts, or after heavy rainfall.
2. Horseshoe Falls
Set in the beautiful, rich forest surrounded by mossy green rocks, Horseshoe Falls is located just 100 metres upstream from Russell Falls. This often overlooked waterfall is accessible via an uphill trail and as you travel through Mt Field National Park, and would typically be the second waterfall you would see if you are following the well beaten tourist path. Those who do take the time to see Horseshoe Falls will fall in love with what many people see as the true treasure to the Mt Field National Park. Just follow the signs to Russell Falls from the Mt Field National Park visitor centre and continue on for a further 10-15 minutes to see this wonderful and truly beautiful waterfall.
Horseshoe Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
3. Lady Barron Falls
Lady Barron Falls is the third of the “big three” waterfalls in the Mount Field National Park. This beautiful waterfall was named after Lady Clara Barron who was the wife of Sir Harry Barron, the Governor of Tasmania from 1909 to 1913. The six-kilometre Lady Barron Circuit will have you travelling past some of the tallest flowering trees in the world, the Swamp Gum and eventually to the base of this wonderful waterfall that flows through Lady Barron Creek.
Lady Barron Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
4. Myrtle Gully Falls
Follow Old Farm Rd to the end behind the Cascade Brewery, park at the gate and prepare yourself for a very easy walk into one of the local area’s most accessible falls. The 10-minute walk along the Myrtle Gully Track is worth the trip itself, never mind the site of amazing Myrtle Gully Falls, which is nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington. You can walk along several different tracks to find Myrtle Gully Falls and the area is very popular for mountain bikers and bushwalkers with numerous tracks leading up through Mt Wellington. Be careful if you try to get up into the waterfall itself as it can be quite slippery to access and a little hard to navigate around the logs that are on the bottom section of the waterfall.
Myrtle Gully Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
5. Secret Falls
Local folklore has it that about 50 metres downstream from Myrtle Gully Falls lies the little ripper of a waterfall, Secret Falls. The exact location will not be disclosed here as fear for our safety is of major concern if full disclosure is given. A well-beaten path has been formed by those “in the know” which should not be too hard to find if you are searching for this legendary and mythical place. This is the last of the documented falls along the Hobart Rivulet and is extremely popular for local photographers. Seek this lovely waterfall out after heavy rainfall or as the snow melts on Mt Wellington during winter and you will be rewarded with a view of one of Mother Nature’s finest displays.
Secret Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
6. Strickland Falls
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Hobart CBD lies the beautiful Strickland Falls. Head towards Mount Wellington up Strickland Avenue and there is a carpark approximately halfway between the start of the ascent and Huon Rd. Literally, a minute’s walk from the carpark will have you surrounded by beautiful forest and an impressive stream that is formed below Strickland Falls. While this waterfall is one of the most accessible of all of them on this list, it is still relatively unknown to many locals but is a great photography spot for those who do know of its location.
Strickland Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
7. Myrtle Forest Falls
The Myrtle Forest is home to this beautiful little wonder of nature. Myrtle Forest Falls can be found by taking a 15-minute walk from the main Myrtle Forest carpark. Take a 20-minute drive through the winding mountains towards Collinsvale and enjoy the lovely green hills before turning left along Myrtle Forest Rd. A short trip later and you will be standing on the border of Wellington Park. The walk into Myrtle Forest Falls takes you past a popular picnic area and through some very lush and dense rainforest. The track can be a little slippery after rain, but the effort will be well rewarded as you stand above the falls. It is possible to descend down into the lower tier, but caution is required as the slope is a little tricky to navigate down to the stream.
Myrtle Forest Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
8. O’Gradys Falls
A short and very comfortable walk along the Bracken Lane Fire Trail which is located in Fern Tree will take you past a spectacular view of the Organ Pipes on Mt Wellington, before witnessing the beauty of O’Gradys Falls. The walk-in is great during winter as the sun lights up the entire 2.4km return track. It is also possible to access O’Gradys Falls from further up Mt Wellington and also from other lesser-known tracks around the area. O’Gradys Falls cascades down to feed the Hobart Rivulet which has several waterfalls on its path down Mt Wellington.
O’Gradys Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
9. New Town Falls
Out of all of the waterfalls on this list, this may require the most physical effort to see. The two-and-a-half-hour return trip from the start of the Lenah Valley Track takes you from sea level to 430m in elevation to meet this lovely waterfall. It is highly recommended to be prepared for this walk by taking plenty of water and some food with you. Once you do arrive you will be greeted by multiple tiers of cascades and a beautiful view out across Lenah Valley towards the Derwent River. There are multiple sections to New Town Falls with the main path leading to the middle tier. You can ascend higher to see the top or descend to the very lower tier via a track approximately 5 minutes back from the main section of the fall. It flows best after heavy rain and is part of the New Town Rivulet. There is plenty to see on the way as you follow a different section of the rivulet to eventually end up at New Town Falls.
New Town Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
10. Snug Falls
A short 30-minute drive south of Hobart is a little township called Snug. As you are passing through the town take a right-hand turn at Snug Tier Road and follow the signs to Snug Falls. The track into Snug Falls starts a couple of hundred metres past the main carpark and is approximately 2.1 km long and a one-and-a-half hour or so return trip. The track is downhill on the way to the waterfall, which of course means an uphill journey on the way out but is not too difficult. After rain though it can be quite slippery and muddy so we suggest not wearing your Sunday bests. The waterfall itself is 25-30 metres tall and flows into the Snug River. This is a very popular local photography spot and is generally quite busy on the weekends. If you are feeling adventurous and have come prepared with some good waterproof shoes, the lesser-known Kiernan Falls is about 150 metres downstream but can be very difficult to access.
Snug Falls – © @tassiegrammer on Instagram
