Why Tasmania is so good for waterfalls
Tasmania's combination of high rainfall, dense temperate rainforest, and dolerite mountain country means waterfalls are everywhere — and unlike a lot of natural attractions on the island, most of them don't require a big drive or a full day to reach. The west coast alone receives well over 2,000mm of rain a year in places, feeding a huge number of falls that never really dry up, while the drier east coast has fewer but still worthwhile options closer to the main tourist routes.
Several of the best-known falls sit inside national parks with well-maintained paths, so you can pick a waterfall to match the day you want: a five-minute boardwalk stroll after breakfast, or a proper half-day forest walk with a packed lunch. Because Tasmania is small and the road network connects most regions within a few hours, it's easy to build two or three waterfalls into a single day trip or a longer road-trip loop without much backtracking.
The best easy waterfalls (under 30 minutes return)
Russell Falls — Mount Field National Park
Walk time: 25–40 minutes return. Difficulty: Easy, wheelchair and pram accessible.
Tasmania's most famous waterfall, and for good reason — a two-tiered cascade set in tall swamp gum and tree fern rainforest, reached via a flat, well-formed track from the visitor centre. It's the signature walk in Mount Field National Park, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Hobart, and easily combined with the park's other short walks (Tall Trees and Lady Barron Falls) to make a half-day of it. Because the track is sealed and gently graded almost the whole way, it's one of the few all-ages, all-abilities waterfall walks in the state.
Snug Falls — near Snug, south of Hobart
Walk time: 40 minutes return. Difficulty: Easy–moderate, some steps.
A quieter alternative to Russell Falls, about 35 minutes south of Hobart. The track winds through wet eucalypt forest and fern gullies before reaching a single-drop waterfall into a shaded pool. It rarely gets crowded, which makes it a nice pick if you've already done Mount Field or want to avoid tour groups.
St Columba Falls — near Pyengana, northeast
Walk time: 20 minutes return. Difficulty: Easy.
One of Tasmania's tallest easily accessible waterfalls at 90 metres, dropping into a rainforest gully. Often paired with a stop at nearby Pyengana Dairy Farm for cheese and the famous "Holy Cow Cafe," making it a natural addition to a northeast coast road trip rather than a dedicated day trip on its own.
Waterfalls worth a proper walk (1–3 hours)
Liffey Falls — Liffey Falls State Reserve
Walk time: 40 minutes return (lower falls), or a longer loop for the full cascade series. Difficulty: Easy–moderate.
A series of cascades through cool temperate rainforest in the Great Western Tiers, about 45 minutes from Launceston. The main lower falls are an easy walk from the car park; a longer track follows the river past several smaller cascades if you want to make more of the visit. The full one-way walk between the upper and lower car parks takes around 1.5–2 hours if you arrange a car shuttle or don't mind walking back the way you came.
Montezuma Falls — near Rosebery, west coast
Walk time: 2.5–3 hours return. Difficulty: Moderate.
At around 104 metres, Montezuma Falls is one of Tasmania's tallest, reached along an old tramway track through rainforest on the west coast. It's a genuine bushwalk rather than a stroll, but the track is well-graded and largely flat, following the old mining tramway line, and the payoff — a suspension bridge right at the base of the falls — is one of the best waterfall views in the state.
Philosopher Falls — Waratah, northwest
Walk time: 1.5–2 hours return. Difficulty: Moderate.
A tiered cascade through rainforest near the small town of Waratah, with a viewing platform at the base. Quieter than the more famous falls, and a good stop if you're doing a northwest circuit that takes in Cradle Mountain or the Tarkine.
Meetus Falls — Meetus Falls Reserve, central-east
Walk time: 30 minutes return. Difficulty: Easy–moderate.
A less-visited option in the state's forestry reserves east of the Midlands, worth knowing about if you're travelling between Hobart and the east coast and want a stop that isn't on every tourist's list.
Waterfalls for the more adventurous
Halls Falls and Waterfall Bluff — northeast Tasmania
Less crowded than the Hobart/Launceston favourites, and worth building into a northeast coast trip rather than a dedicated visit. Halls Falls, near St Helens, involves a moderate bush track over granite boulders, so it suits people already comfortable scrambling a little on uneven ground.
Nelson Falls — near Queenstown, west coast
Walk time: 25 minutes return. Difficulty: Easy.
A short, well-formed boardwalk through rainforest to a wide, powerful waterfall — a good stop if you're driving the West Coast Wilderness route between Queenstown and Strahan and want a quick, easy break from the car.
Best waterfalls near Hobart
If you're based in Hobart and don't want a long drive, Russell Falls (Mount Field) is the clear pick — under 1.5 hours away and the most rewarding for the effort. Snug Falls, about 35 minutes south of Hobart, is a solid second option: a short, family-friendly walk through bushland to a pretty single-drop waterfall. Both can be done as a half-day trip and combined with lunch in New Norfolk or Snug on the way back.
Best waterfalls by region
- South (Hobart area): Russell Falls, Snug Falls
- North (Launceston area): Liffey Falls
- Northeast: St Columba Falls, Halls Falls, Waterfall Bluff
- West Coast: Montezuma Falls, Nelson Falls
- Northwest: Philosopher Falls
- Central-East: Meetus Falls
If you're doing a loop of the island rather than staying based in one city, it's worth timing your route so you pick up one or two falls per region rather than backtracking — the west coast and northeast clusters in particular are a fair drive from each other.
Best time of year to see Tasmanian waterfalls
Waterfalls run fullest after winter and spring rain (roughly June–October), when flow is at its strongest. By late summer, especially after a dry stretch, some of the smaller falls can slow to a trickle — Russell Falls and Liffey Falls, fed by more reliable catchments, hold up better than most through summer. West coast falls like Montezuma and Nelson Falls tend to keep good flow for more of the year, simply because that part of the state gets so much more rain overall.
Photography tips for Tasmanian waterfalls
Overcast days are your friend — flat light avoids harsh highlights on the white water and deep shadows in the surrounding forest, so bright sun is actually one of the harder conditions to shoot in. A small tripod and neutral density filter let you slow the shutter speed for that smooth, silky water look, especially useful at Russell Falls and Montezuma Falls where there's usually enough light to make a fast shutter the default. Early morning beats midday at popular spots like Russell Falls — you'll have the boardwalk to yourself and softer light before tour groups arrive. Shoot vertically as well as horizontally at tall, narrow falls like St Columba and Montezuma — a lot of visitors only try landscape orientation and miss the shot that actually captures the height.
Safety notes
Tasmanian rainforest tracks are often damp, mossy, or built from wooden boardwalks that get slippery — this is the single most common reason people slip on these walks, not the terrain itself. Rivers above and below waterfalls can also rise quickly after rain, so it's not worth climbing over safety barriers for a closer look or a better photo, however tempting Instagram makes it look. Mobile reception is patchy or nonexistent at several of these locations, particularly on the west coast and in the northeast, so let someone know your plans if you're walking alone.
What to pack
Sturdy walking shoes, since rainforest tracks are often damp, rooty, or have wooden boardwalks that get slippery. A light rain jacket, even on a fine day, since waterfall gullies generate their own microclimate. A camera or phone with a steady hand — most of these are best photographed with a slow shutter, so a small tripod helps if you're serious about it. Insect repellent for the west coast and northeast walks. A printed or downloaded offline map, since reception drops out at several of these sites.
Frequently asked questions about Tasmania's waterfalls
What is the most famous waterfall in Tasmania?
Russell Falls, in Mount Field National Park, is Tasmania's best-known and most-photographed waterfall — a short, easy walk from Hobart makes it the most visited.
What is the tallest waterfall in Tasmania?
Montezuma Falls, at around 104 metres, is among the tallest easily accessible waterfalls in the state, though several remote falls in the southwest wilderness are taller and far harder to reach.
Are Tasmania's waterfalls good to visit with kids?
Yes — Russell Falls, St Columba Falls, and Snug Falls are all short, well-formed walks suitable for families, with Russell Falls also being pram and wheelchair accessible.
Do Tasmanian waterfalls dry up in summer?
Some of the smaller falls can slow significantly by late summer after a dry spell, but the major falls fed by larger catchments — including Russell Falls, Liffey Falls, and the west coast falls — generally keep flowing year-round.
Can you swim at Tasmania's waterfalls?
A few, like the pool below Liffey Falls, are suitable for a cold dip in summer, but most Tasmanian waterfalls sit in cool rainforest gullies and aren't set up for swimming — check local signage before going in.
How many waterfalls can you see in one day in Tasmania?
Realistically two to three if they're in the same region — for example, Russell Falls plus Snug Falls near Hobart, or Nelson Falls plus Montezuma Falls on the west coast. Trying to combine falls from different regions in one day usually means more driving than walking.
