A hiking guide to combining the Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk to see all that Mount Field National Park has to offer in one easy, scenic epic circuit loop.
The lower rainforest section of Mount Field National Park is truly one of Tasmania’s best wet rainforests. And, easily the best way to experience all of its incredible natural scenery is to take the easy 6-kilometre loop known as the Three Falls Circuit.
This track loops around the park, passing three scenic rainforest waterfalls and also passes through the “Tall Trees Walk” to walk under some of the world’s tallest flowering trees.
In this blog post, I aim to inspire you to visit Mount Field National Park and strap up for this beautiful circuit walk. I’ve included all of the information you need to know such as how to get here, what to expect and some tips for visiting the park.
- About the Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk
- How to Get to Mount Field National Parkastas
- Mount Field National Park Walks Map
- The Three Falls Circuit
- The Main Event: Russell Falls
- Horseshoe Falls
- Tall Trees Walk
- Lady Barron Falls
- Returning to Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre
- Things to Know About The Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk
- Accommodation Near Mount Field National Park
- More Tasmanian Travel Guides and Blogs
About the Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk
- Hike Distance: 6 KM loop
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation: Mostly flat with short sections of easy stair climbing
- Difficulty: Easy
The Three Falls Circuit and Tall Trees Walk forms a loop of the lower rainforest section of Mount Field National Park. This walk is by far, the best way to experience everything that Mount Field National Park has to offer. The track is very well-maintained and mostly flat for the duration of the walk. However, there are some sections where you will need to climb a few flights of wooden stairs.
Highlights of the Three Falls Circuit include:
- Russell Falls - Tasmania's most iconic waterfall
- Horseshoe Falls
- Tall Trees Walk - witness some of the world's tallest flowering trees, the eucalypt regnans
- Lady Barron Falls
How to Get to Mount Field National Parkastas
Visitors looking to hike the Three Falls Circuit will need to head to the visitor centre at Mount Field National Park. This is located in Tasmania's Central Highlands approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Hobart.
- Google Maps Pin: "Mount Field Visitor Centre"
The national park is connected via the Brooker and Lyell Highways and follows sealed roads the entire way. Expect roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart.
Unfortunately, there aren't any public transport options leading directly to Mount Field. However, if you're in Hobart and find yourself without a car or transport, then consider booking a full-day tour to Mount Field which also includes a trip to Mount Wellington, Richmond and Bonorong.
Mount Field National Park Walks Map
While not required for navigation by any means, I've still attached a walking map of Mount Field National Park below. This should give you a better understanding of the route that encompasses the Three Falls Circuit.
The Three Falls Circuit
The first section of the Three Falls Circuit begins at the back of the Visitor Centre (walk through or around). As with everything in this park, this track is well-signed and very easy to navigate. Begin by following signs towards Russell Falls.
Immediately after commencing the walk, the sealed track leads into heavily wooded eucalypt rainforest. You'll pass towering gum trees which are a good warm up for just how large the trees on the later section of the "Tall Trees Walk" are going to be.
Car Rentals in Tasmania
Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years.
Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using RentalCars.com in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.
(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).
The Main Event: Russell Falls
Just 10 minutes after commencing the walk, you'll arrive at the main event; Russell Falls. This is one of Tasmania's most iconic waterfalls and the centrepiece for Mount Field National Park.
This two-tiered cascading waterfall is over 50 metres high and plunges down horizontal Permian siltstone and vertical sandstone columns.
There is a large viewing platform just below the waterfall where you can take photos and admire the view.
The Ultimate Tasmania Travel Resource
Looking for more Tasmania travel guides & adventure inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive blog posts that will serve as a great free resource for your trip.
Horseshoe Falls
After taking a couple of minutes to take in the sights of Russell Falls, it's time to continue on the Three Falls Circuit to the next waterfall.
This section immediately following the Russell Falls viewing platform is a short but sharp ascent on a wooden staircase. Once at the top of Russell Falls, you'll see a sign pointing to a 2-minute track leading to Horseshoe Falls.
In my opinion, Horseshoe Falls doesn't get the wrap it deserves. Undoubtedly, it's foreshadowed by its larger, more famous downstream brother. This mini-amphitheatre is a photographer's dream. Following light rain, several gentle streams flow in a wide, round clearing and join, swirling around fern-covered boulders.
#1 Water Bottle Filter
Enter the Grayl GeoPress Water Filter & Purifier Bottle! I take this bottle on every hike and use it as my go-to source for filtering water all over the world. I've even used it to drink tap water in India!
// Compare how the GeoPress stacks up against the best water bottle filters on the market.
Tall Trees Walk
The next stretch of the Three Falls Circuit connects to the "Tall Trees Walk", a section of eucalypt forest home to some of the world's tallest flowering trees.
Some of these trees are over 80 metres tall. There is also a fixed measuring device under some of the largest trees with an accompanying instruction board to help you learn how tree heights are calculated.
It's best to take your time through this section to really take in the ancient wonders of the Tall Trees Walk.
RELATED POST: Styx Tall Trees Walk
Lady Barron Falls
Following the Tall Trees, the Three Falls Circuit continues by Lake Dobson Road and then reentering an even denser section of rainforest. This can be considered roughly the halfway point for the circuit and it is possible to call it quits here early by returning to the visitor centre via Lake Dobson Road or by doubling back on the same track.
Instead, I recommend continuing on towards Lady Barron Falls, less than a kilometre away.
Lady Barron Falls is another beautiful cascade that is very impressive following heavy rain. This waterfall is on a separate tributary to the other waterfalls on this circuit and its flow tends to be more dependent on rainfall.
Returning to Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre
The final stretch of this short but beautiful rainforest circuit winds back up the gully, following the Lady Barron Crrek towards a short, sharp ascent of a wooden flight of stairs.
This is probably the most difficult part of this easy circuit walk. But don't worry, there's a bench at the top for those who need to rest their legs.
Wrapping up, the Three Falls Circuit finishes by crossing a burnt section of eucalypt and ash forest before returning back to the visitor centre.
Things to Know About The Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk
Here are some quick tips and things to know about walking the Three Falls Circuit and Tall Trees Walk in Mount Field National Park.
- You will need a National Parks Pass (buy this online, I recommend the annual pass for the best value)
- This track is considered an easy family walk but is 6 kilometres long so plan accordingly to your ability
- The first section of the track is sealed and accessible by wheelchair. However, the final section near Lady Barron Falls can get wet and muddy
- There is loads of wildlife in these forests. TasParks recommends keeping at least 1.5 metres away
- There is a campground and day-use area at Mount Field National Park where you can have a picnic or even stay the night after the walk
- There is 4G reception at the visitor centre but the signal gets patchy in the forest
Accommodation Near Mount Field National Park
Aside from the National Parks campground, you might be interested in where else you can stay near Mount Field. The closest towns at Westerways and Maydena. Below are the two highest-rated and best-reviewed accommodation options available.
- Giants Table and Cottages - Located in Maydena, Giants Table and Cottages offers independent unit accommodation with a sofa, seating area, flat-screen TV, full kitchen and private bathroom. These units are located in a clearing with rainforest surrounds and a great place to stay near Mount Field.
- Duffy's Country Accommodation - Located in Westerway, the closest town to the National Park is Duffy's Country Accommodation. These rustic, self-contained cottages feature a fireplace, BBQ, patio and garden views.
More Tasmanian Travel Guides and Blogs
I hope that you've enjoyed this travel guide to hiking the Three Falls Circuit and the Tall Trees Walk in Tasmania's Mount Field National Park. I've written extensively about adventure travel in Tassie. So, for more travel inspiration and adventure ideas, make sure to check out some of my other articles below.