Five must-see Tasmanian waterfalls

Mountainous terrain and generous rainfall means Tassie is also blessed with waterfalls, from picturesque cascades to those with dramatic 100-metre drops. Here are five of our favourite falls around the state, all accessed on some of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks.

It’s easy to visit the state’s most photographed waterfall. Drive an hour west of Hobart to Mount Field National Park, then enjoy the 25-minute return walk on a wheelchair-accessible path among moss, ferns and fungi to the star of Australia’s first postage stamp. Russell Falls cascades spectacularly over multiple tiers, before tumbling into a natural pool.

If you’re up for more walking and waterfalls, continue on to complete the two-hour Three Falls Circuit. It’s another Great Short Walk, through a tranquil forest setting of trickling creek and towering swamp gums to Horseshoe and Lady Barron falls.

Nature is on a grand scale in Tasmania’s wild west, including the state’s highest waterfall. Dropping 104 metres, Montezuma Falls is an amazing sight. In fact it’s a multi-sensory treat because you can walk to the waterfall’s base to really hear and feel its power, and breathe in the earthy scent of rainforest drenched in spray. There’s also an epic waterfall view from the suspension bridge crossing Avon Creek.

Starting about an hour’s drive from Strahan or Queenstown, the three-hour return walk is fairly flat as it follows a 19th-century railway track built by the Montezuma Mining Company. It’s also a beautiful walk, among birds, giant tree ferns and leatherwood, myrtle and sassafras trees.

It’s only a 30-minute drive from the east coast town of St Helens to St Columba State Reserve, where you can see the main attraction from the carpark and picnic area. From there it’s just 15 minutes’ walk among some of Tasmania’s tallest tree ferns to one of its tallest waterfalls. Look up! St Columba Falls is 90 metres high, tumbling down a granite cliff in a series of steep cascades.

Look down too – you might spot a platypus in the South George River. The area has an average annual rainfall of 780mm, so you can be sure this waterfall is always flowing and that the surrounding rainforest will also make a big impression.

From Liffey Falls State Reserve’s top carpark, where you’ll find picnic and barbecue facilities, take the 45-minute return walk to see multiple waterfalls gently cascading across tiers of sandstone: Alexandra, Hopetoun, Albert and Victoria falls. The last two are the most impressive, and collectively known as Liffey Falls.

They’re best viewed from the natural rock platform opposite, but there are also multiple lookouts along the track, which follows the Liffey River, winding through calm, green rainforest. About 30 minutes’ drive from Deloraine, this is among the most idyllic spots in north-central Tasmania.

Here’s something different: a waterfall that pours into the sea. About 90 minutes’ drive south-east of Hobart, Tasman National Park is renowned for plunging coastal cliffs – none more impressive than the 100-metre drop where Waterfall Bay’s namesake makes a splash. Apart from when this waterfall is reduced to a trickle in dry summer conditions, you can watch this water-on-water spectacular from a high clifftop lookout accessed on a one-hour return walk.

Enjoy more awesome coastal views along the way including Devils Kitchen, where the sea rushes in and out of this deep trench in the cliffs. Back at the starting point, consider walking a little further in the other direction to the natural Tasman Arch and Tasman Blowhole.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.