Waterfalls of South-West Tasmania

I recently seized an opportunity to travel Tasmania’s South-West. I’ll be writing other posts about that, but this post is devoted to the waterfalls I saw along the way. As with all things, a photo shows an approximation. Being there in person is a much better experience, and getting there includes so much more! Nevertheless, here is a sample, for your enjoyment.

If you start from the Spirit of Tasmania Terminal at Devonport and travel down the West Coast, then across to Hobart, you will pass them in this order. To view them you will need sensible walking shoes and a coat – it’s cold and often wet. These photos are from October.

Note: Because WordPress only allows embedded videos from certain sources, they are linked to this post instead.

Stitt Falls, Rosebery

Stitt Falls is less than 5 minutes drive from the centre of town, near a caravan park. You could take children on this few minutes walk.

Hogarth Falls, Strahan

Another waterfall reached directly from town:

Walk through “People’s Park” and about 10 minutes into the lush, temperate rainforest, there are the falls! An easy walk to take children on.

Horsetail Falls, just outside Queenstown

This is a much more difficult walk, on the side of a large, rocky hill. There is a constructed pathway with a handrail on one side and steps, but it is still quite steep. I wouldn’t take young children, as there is quite a high risk of them falling off the path.

I actually think the long”horsetail” effect is better seen from about half-way up the walk, rather than at the top/viewing platform.

Slightly distorted Panorama from the top (left) of the falls, down the river valley

After all that effort, the falls are a long way away! I took a video of how loud they are, even from that distance. You can also hear how windy it is.

Side note: “Iron Blow” Lookout is across the road from the Horsetail Falls carpark. It’s not a waterfall but is also worth a look.

Nelson Falls, further from Queenstown

Here’s the video with sound version

A quick, easy walk that you can take small children on. There are thought-provoking signs along the way, to encourage you (& your children) to think about the history of the place. The first sign, in the photo, says:

“As you take this delightful short walk to the
35m high Nelson Falls you’ll find a sories of
panels that ask you to think about time. All the
rocks. plants and animals that are found in this
area have a fascinating and varied history.
If you had a time machine you’d be able to
get a completely accurate picture of the past
But even without it there is enough evidence to piece together some of the story of Nelson Falls.We hope you enjoy the walk and gain a deeper appreciation of Nelson Falls.”

As an example of the other signs along the way, one points out that 400 million years ago, in the Devonian Period, the area was a shallow tropical sea. It talks about the fossils found here, animal evolution and the ongoing continental drift North (5cm/year).

A National Parks Pass is required, but you can purchase it online afterwards. (There is no internet signal there.)

Mt. Field National Park: Russell Falls & Horseshoe Falls

A very easy walk on a formed path, although there is a small steep part with steps. These two falls are quite close together, and can be seen in approximately 45 minutes walk. Russell Falls is quite famous, and much larger than Horseshoe Falls.

A National Park Pass is required (available online or at the Park office when you arrive during business hours), and you will need to display it on your vehicle.

Watch for wildlife in the bush on the side, especially near Horseshoe Falls, where I saw this cute Rufus Wallaby, which didn’t seem bothered by photographers.

Pademelon or Rufus Wallaby, Mt Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia

There is also Lady Baron Falls, making the walk 2 hours. I didn’t allow enough time to go there this time, unfortunately. A reason for me to go back another time!

There are, of course other waterfalls in Tasmania – feel free to look them up and include them in your itinerary if you wish! I didn’t find this site until after my trip, but you might like to check it out.

For more about what is between all these Waterfalls, see my other posts, which will be up in the next few weeks.