Best Waterfalls in North Tasmania to Seek Out

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The natural wilderness of Tasmania is one of the major reasons many people pay the Australian island a visit. And one of the most beautiful parts of the state’s abundant wilderness is the many, many waterfalls. Thanks to its milder weather and ample rainforest, your spoilt for choice when it comes to waterfalls in Tasmania. What travellers often don’t realise is that there are some great waterfalls in north Tasmania not to be missed.

Most visitors either head for the waterfalls in the island’s south near Hobart as they’re the most well-known, or the Montezuma Falls as they’re state’s highest. But Tassie has plenty more if you know where to look. Much like the best beaches in North Tasmania, the best waterfalls in northern Tasmania span right across the state, from the wild west coast through the Central Highlands right to the popular Bay of Fires in the east. Here’s a fine selection that I’ve been lucky enough to visit.

Guide Falls

For a waterfall that’s easy to get to and enjoy, look no further than Guide Falls. Around 20 minutes drive from Burnie to the southwest and steps from the on-site car park, Guide Falls is a breeze to visit. What’s nice is that it also happens to be a really photogenic block waterfall. Whether viewed from above or down below, you get a sense of its power and can appreciate the details in the basalt rock around it.

Including the small step above the falls and lower cascades, Guide Falls drop over 30 metres in height, although there seems to be no official height on record. It’s best to start your visit at the top of the falls, then head to the bottom of the falls and afterwards follow the river walk downstream. You won’t need ages here, which just makes it an even easier spot to add to your travels in northern Tasmania.

Dip Falls

Of the many waterfalls in Tasmania I’ve had the good fortune to see, none have felt quite as powerful as Dip Falls. These isolated falls south of Stanley are among the best places to visit in North West Tasmania, especially after a heavy rainfall. So it’s funny then how the name Dip Falls makes them sound small and dinky. They’re really nothing of the sort.

Deep within Dip River Forest Reserve, the falls comprise two stages of water flowing over distinct hexagonal basalt rocks. Think the Giant’s Causeway in northern Ireland, only with water raging down upon them. There are two viewing platforms, one offering the above view of the upper section, the other the lower section from below.

Witnessing Dip Falls from the lower platform lets you appreciate the rock formations better, while the upper platform shows off the lush forest surroundings and sheer scale of the falls.

Liffey Falls

Capturing the ancient, primeval atmosphere of Tasmania perfectly are the gorgeous Liffey Falls. Sitting between Launceston and the Central Plateau, these majestic falls are the main sight in Liffey Forest Reserve. The Liffey Falls cascade across four tiers, with a trail and viewpoints providing comprehensive access to their beauty. It certainly doesn’t hurt either that your surrounded here by pristine rainforest and giant ferns as you take in the scenery.

Visiting Liffey Falls, it’s easiest to start at the top car park and walk your way down to the bottom of the falls and back. The lowest section of the falls and subsequent river is definitely the prettiest section and with a gentle trail, there are no excuses for missing this gem.

St Columba Falls

Easily the tallest waterfall on this list and among the highest in the state, St Columba Falls is undoubtedly worth the journey. Found inland from St Helens past Pyengana, this towering 90 metre tall waterfall is sure to impress. You actually catch a glimpse of St Columba Falls just as you start on its trail down into the valley. It will instantly make you realise that the easy 15 minute walk is worth it.

Head down through the forest to the fern gully along the river and back up a little to reach the small viewing platform. Only then does the immense wall of rock come into view with St Columba Falls forging a course down across it. Because of its height and exposed nature, you may spot clouds of mist get blown off the top of the falls. I did wish there were more angles to appreciate the waterfall from, but craning my neck to look up at it was definitely not disappointing.

Halls Falls

Size isn’t everything when it comes to waterfalls as the idyllic Halls Falls will no doubt prove. My expectations were really quite low when visiting this attraction along the Great Eastern Drive near Pyengana. Even once I’d reached the upper viewpoint after walking the lovely forest trail I was feeling a little underwhelmed. It really wasn’t until I got down by the Groom River that I realised how picture-perfect Halls Falls is.

Exploring Halls Falls you have a viewing area below the falls as well as the rock pools that sit above its many small cascades. Upstream there is a hand-made weir that you can visit, but I never made it that far. Instead I opted to linger among the rocks below the falls taking endless photos and have a picnic lunch up among the rockpools. These falls really are tranquillity personified, so allow plenty of time to just zone out here.

Silver Falls

A bit of a dark horse among this group is the less well-known and less accessible Silver Falls. Situated just near Nietta and a short drive from Leven Canyon, you’d be hard pressed to know it exists unless you go looking for it. Waterfalls in Tasmania are usually really well signposted, but it’s only once you arrive at its walking trail that you see signs for Silver Falls.

Reaching Silver Falls isn’t much easier once you set off on its walking circuit. There’s little information about times or distances and it lacks the usual finely-crafted trails and steps you find across Tasmania. Instead, you’re met with a 10-15 minute walk down a steep, rough trail to the bottom of the falls.

The view you find at the bottom is worth all the uncertainty though. There’s two sections to the falls and with each tightly enclosed by forest, they’re exceptionally moody. According to maps, the area is also home to Castra Falls and Step Falls, but they appear even harder to get to.

Preston Falls

Of all the different types of waterfalls in Tasmania, there really aren’t too many plunge waterfalls like Preston Falls. Located just outside Gunns Plains between Cradle Mountain and the coast, it’s another waterfall that you can visit pretty quickly. While the signage at the waterfalls is pretty clear, there seems to be debate online whether this is actually called Delaney Falls. 

From the small roadside parking, it’s a short jaunt to the top of the cliffs where the Preston Creek disappears into nowhere. Further along the cliff there’s a viewing platform that allows you to see the full 25 metre-or-so drop of the waterfall. I’d love to see what it looks like from the bottom but it’s unclear if you can actually get down there or not. The sweeping views of the forest and landscape from up there help soften any disappointment mind you.

Pencil Pine Falls

When talking about nature in the north of Tasmania, it’s only a matter of time until Cradle Mountain gets mentioned. While the mountain and hiking trails usually take focus, there are a few pleasant waterfalls in Cradle Mountain National Park worth a look. One is Pencil Pine Falls, a short walk from the park’s Ranger Station and Interpretation Centre. While this waterfall may not be especially large, its setting couldn’t be more picturesque.

Following the Pencil Pines Walk you’ll reach viewing platform above the falls, that shows the small cascades that lead into the falls. The better viewpoint, in my opinion, is actually found along the boardwalk to a different waterfall altogether. Knyvet Falls is another waterfall at Cradle Mountain and its trail brings you past the pool below the falls, where you’ll find the optimal vantage point of Pencil Pines Falls. A nice thing about this waterfall is that it looks pretty even without heavy rain beforehand.

Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Tasmania

• Many waterfalls, and frankly other types of attractions, in Tasmania are found off unsealed roads. Be sure to check your car can cope with the roads and whether your rental agreement allows it.
• The quality of trails in the nature reserves and parks of Tasmania is usually excellent. As such, you won’t need hiking boots for most places.
• Visiting waterfalls after it’s rained is always best, which with Tasmania doesn’t rule out seeing them in summer.
• Accessible waterfalls are likely to be pretty busy (by Tassie standards) on weekends and public holidays, especially the ones at Cradle Mountain.

Which of these waterfalls in Tasmania have you seen for yourself? Am I missing any northern Tasmania waterfalls that you think I and others should visit? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.