Enjoy the Natural Beauty Tasmania Delivers So Well at Three Accessible Waterfalls: Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Nelson Falls.

 

Tasmania is a dream destination for waterfall lovers. With its cool climate, ancient rainforests, and abundant rainfall, the island is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful and accessible cascades. The best part? You don’t need to hike for hours to see them, as some of Tasmania’s most photogenic waterfalls are just a short walk from the car park. 

On my travels around Tasmania, I visit three very different waterfalls: Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Nelson Falls. Each one offers something unique, from the iconic, picture-perfect tiers of Russell Falls to the quieter charm of Horseshoe Falls to the peaceful rainforest setting of Nelson Falls. Together, they showcase the diversity of Tasmania’s natural beauty and are achievable stops on any itinerary. 

Whether you’re planning a road trip around Tasmania or simply looking for short nature walks that don’t compromise on scenery, these three waterfalls deserve a place on your itinerary. Here’s what makes each one special and why each is worth a stop.

 

Why Tasmania is a Waterfall Paradise

Tasmania is often described as a waterfall paradise—and it’s easy to see why. The island’s cool temperate climate, high rainfall, and vast areas of protected wilderness create the perfect conditions for waterfalls to thrive. Rainforests blanket much of the landscape, feeding countless rivers and streams that tumble over cliffs, cascade down tiered rock faces, and spill into fern-lined gullies.

For waterfall seekers, this means the water never stops. Even in the drier summer months, Tasmania’s waterfalls maintain a respectable flow, as my photos in this post attest. I visited the falls in December (early summer).

Should you visit Tasmania in winter or spring (June to November), you will find the waterfalls in full force, thundering down the mountains.

What makes Tasmania especially appealing is the accessibility of many of these waterfalls, often just a short walk through pristine bushland rather than a long, demanding hike. From dramatic multi-tiered falls to delicate, hidden cascades, the variety is remarkable, offering something for every traveller, photographer, and nature lover.

The waterfalls covered in this guide lie along or near the main tourist route between Hobart in southern Tasmania and Queenstown on the west coast. They are accessible and rewarding additions to any Tasmanian itinerary.

Russell Falls – the icon

 

Russell Falls is an iconic multi-tiered waterfall in Mount Field National Park, 74 kilometres northwest of Hobart. It is one of Tasmania’s most famous waterfalls, renowned for its picturesque, easily accessible natural beauty and possibly the most photographed.

The waters of Russell Falls Creek spill over two distinct tiers, framed by moss-covered rocks and ferns. A viewing platform at the base of the waterfall offers an excellent vantage point to take in the full scene.

Reaching Russell Falls is easy. The 1.4-kilometre return Grade 1 walk begins at the Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre and follows a well-maintained, paved path through a forest of swamp gums and ancient tree ferns. The path is suitable for prams, wheelchairs, and visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

 

Don’t double back from Russell Falls, as the trail loops back to the Visitor Centre and car park.

Russell Falls is consistently ranked among Tasmania’s must-see destinations. It is an impressive waterfall, even in summer when I stood in front of it. As it tumbles down 58 metres of rock face, I can understand why it is Tasmania’s most photographed waterfall.

Horseshoe Falls – the hidden gem

Don’t just walk to Russell Falls, take your photos and turn back. Doing so will mean you miss out on one of the loveliest waterfalls in Mount Field National Park.

Horseshoe Falls is a 400-metre walk beyond Russell Falls along the same trail, tucked into a curve of the valley where the forest grows particularly dense and quiet.

 

Horseshoe Falls is smaller and more understated than Russell Falls, but no less appealing. Where Russell Falls is wide, tiered, and made for photographs, Horseshoe Falls feels more private and personal. The water spills gracefully over a smooth, curved rock lip in a perfect horseshoe shape (hence its name) into a tranquil pool below, surrounded by rainforest ferns and moss-covered rocks.

The walk between Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls is not for everyone, as the path is steep and uneven in places, with many steps and stairs. However, you will encounter fewer people along the way and at the falls.

 

You will need to walk down those steps and stairs back to Russell Falls to get back to the Visitor Centre and car park.

Of the three waterfalls I visited while in Tasmania, I found Horseshoe Falls the most appealing. I felt relaxed and lulled as I listened to the flowing water and the forest’s birdsong; I could easily have sat on one of those mossy rocks in quiet solitude for some time. Unfortunately, I was with a tour group and didn’t have that luxury.

Nelson Falls – the underrated showstopper

 

Situated 30 kilometres east of Queenstown on the Lyell Highway (A10) within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Nelson Falls is a picturesque single-drop waterfall cascading down a rugged rock face. Surrounded by lush, old-growth temperate rainforest, it offers a quiet, secluded atmosphere.

The trail to the waterfall is a 1.4-kilometre return Grade 1 walk along a flat, well-maintained gravel path and boardwalk through lush rainforest. With no steps or steep sections, it is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, including wheelchair users with assistance.

The boardwalk opens onto a wide, rocky viewing area, where Nelson Falls reveals itself in full: a broad curtain of white water plunging nearly 30 metres into a boulder-strewn gorge.

The walk to Nelson Falls features interpretation panels that explain the history and evolution of the surrounding habitat and highlight the ancient plants you see along the way.

If you are driving the Lyell Highway between Hobart and Strahan, build in a stop at Nelson Falls. You won’t regret it.

Practical Planning Guide – know before you go

Mount Field National Park requires a valid Tasmania parks Pass for entry to visit Russell and Horseshoe Falls. Passes include daily, annual, and 2-year options and can be purchased online or at the Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre. Because Nelson Falls is accessed via the Lyell Highway, there is no separate entry fee.

Mount Field Visitor Centre is open daily. It has a café serving food and drinks, public toilets, and picnic facilities, with electric barbecues available on the grounds. Public toilets are also available at the Nelson Falls car park, but there are no other facilities.

As with all waterfalls, they are at their best after rainfall. Tasmania’s waterfalls are most dramatic from winter to spring (June to November). That said, all three waterfalls mentioned in this post run year-round and are worth visiting in any season. Summer (December to February) offers the most reliable weather for hiking, though water volumes are smaller.

 

Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Nelson Falls may differ in size, style, and setting, but together they showcase exactly why Tasmania is such a special place for nature lovers. From the postcard-perfect tiers of Russell Falls to the quieter, more intimate feel of Horseshoe Falls, and the peaceful escape at Nelson Falls, each offers a distinct experience without demanding much time or effort.

What makes these waterfalls even more appealing is their accessibility, with short, well-maintained walking tracks. That makes them ideal stops whether you’re exploring Mount Field National Park, driving the Lyell Highway, or simply adding scenic highlights to your Tasmania itinerary. 

If you’re short on time but still want to experience the best of Tasmania’s waterfalls, this trio is hard to beat. Pack your camera, take your time on the walks, and enjoy the natural beauty that Tasmania delivers so effortlessly.

 

Disclaimer: This post contains no affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own and non-sponsored. All photos are my own and remain the copyright of Joanna Rath/Just Me Travel.

© Just Me Travel 2018-2026.

 

Which of these waterfalls would you most like to visit?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share it in the comments below.

 

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Author’s Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and follow government advice.

 

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