Waterfalls are my absolute favorite thing to photograph and share across my @tassiegrammer Instagram account and other social media channels. Thankfully for me, my home of Tasmania is heaven for waterfall lovers like myself. Throughout this beautiful state of Australia there are over 220 documented waterfalls and many more unofficial or undocumented cascades. The lush forests, high average rainfall and winter snow throughout the alpine regions helps to keeps a lot of our waterfalls flowing all year round, although the best time to visit many of them is during winter and spring which is when there is a higher chance of heavier flows.
With the diversity of landscapes throughout Tasmania there is a waterfall to suit everyone – whether you are looking for huge plummets down massive cliff faces, or prefer the gentle tumbling, cascading tiers of crystal clear water through the majestic forest streams. A large percentage of the documented waterfalls are very easily accessible, but if you are looking for a challenge there are also many that will require quite a lot of effort to see. Some have well built tracks or boardwalks that will lead you straight to them, but others may require multi-day walks through extremely tough conditions to experience their beauty.
If you are looking to photograph any of our waterfalls I highly recommend using a tripod, a wide angle lens, as well as a circular polariser or other neutral density filters to allow for slower shutter speeds. Tasmania is also well known for it’s mixed weather conditions which can change extremely quickly, so be well prepared for any conditions. To get you started on your way to discovering the cascading tiers of beauty this part of the world in know for, here are 5 must-visit waterfalls in Tasmania.
Russell Falls
Russell Falls is without a doubt the most visited waterfall in Tasmania, and is located just an hour from Hobart in Mt Field National Park. There are two main tiers to Russell Falls – the first of them is approximately a 30 metre drop wall of water which is almost impossible to photograph when it is in full flow due to the sheer amount of water and the intense spray. The second tier is the one most people will see and is an incredible picturesque curtain of water. Russell Falls was featured on a set of Australian postage stamps in 1899 to promote tourism in the region and is part of the first registered National Park in Tasmania. On a normal day there will be hundreds of visitors to this spectacular waterfall so be prepared to be patient if you are hoping to capture a perfect photograph of this amazing place. It is only a very easy 15 minute walk from the main visitor centre in Mt Field National Park to be standing here, so it is quite accessible for people of all ages.
Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls is also in Mount Field National Park and is located slightly upstream at the very top of Russell Falls. It is surrounded by beautiful forest and rocks covered in thick green moss, and almost feels like you are stepping into some sort of fantasy land when you get there. Just like most of the waterfalls throughout Tasmania, Horseshoe Falls is at it’s best during Winter or after sustained rainfall, but can also be quite difficult to photograph when too much water is flowing due to water spray and the amount of white water that is stirred up as it tumbles over the main drop. You can access this beautiful waterfall via a well built uphill path that leads beyond Russell Falls and is approximately a further 15 minute walk.
Liffey Falls
Liffey Falls is located in the Greater Western Tiers in the North West of Tasmania. The Liffey State Reserve was included within the Tasmanian World Heritage area in 1989 in recognition of its environmental and global significance and is an incredibly popular destination for locals and visitors alike. There are multiple tiers which make up Liffey Falls which all flow down through the temperate rainforest of myrtle, sassafras and leatherwoods. There is a regular debate amongst Tasmanians as to whether Liffey Falls or Russell Falls is the most picturesque of easily accessible waterfalls in the state. There is one thing for certain – Liffey Falls is absolutely spectacular when it is in full flow. Again the best time to visit is in winter and early spring as the snow melts and flows down from the highlands, but you will witness an amazingly beautiful part of Tasmania no matter when you visit.
Lower Chasm Falls
Out of all of the waterfalls I have visited in Tasmania, Lower Chasm Falls is by far my favourite of them all. The Meander State Forest near Deloraine in the state’s North West is home to some incredibly beautiful waterfalls which take a little more effort to get to than many of the others. But the effort to get here is well rewarded as you drop down into the valley floor of Smoko Creek and almost feel like you are in a whole other world. The water here is crystal clear, the moss covered rocks are an incredibly vibrant green, and the track in is not as well worn as most, as this beautiful place is still unknown even to many of the locals. If you plan to visit here, make it a full day trip and visit the upper tiers of Chasm Falls and Smoko Falls, which is located nearby. This will be a place you will remember for a very long time, and will hopefully treasure as much as I do.
Secret Falls
The only secret about Secret Falls is it is not a secret at all. It is an ongoing joke among locals about the lack of secrecy surrounding its location, but it’s name continues to provide the aura of mystery and attracts many visiting photographers hoping to add it to their “trophy collection”. Secret Falls is located in Myrtle Gully in the foothills of Mt Wellington in Hobart, and is literally a 30 second descent off one of the main walking tracks down onto the main stream that flows down the mountain. Just upstream and a 2 minute walk further along the walking track is Myrtle Gully Falls which is also well worth seeing. You will find a few other waterfalls close by as well, so make a day of it and spend some time visiting some beautiful cascades just 15 minutes from the heart of the Hobart CBD.
