Walks
Tracks, conditions and local tips for Mt Field National Park
Explore Mt Field National Park
Tasmania's oldest national park — rainforest, waterfalls and alpine country about an hour north-west of Hobart. From a short sealed path to Russell Falls, to a full day on the Tarn Shelf, the park changes with every season.
A valid Tasmania Parks Pass is required for entry. Passes can be purchased at the Visitor Centre or in advance at parks.tas.gov.au.
Always check in at the Parks Desk first
Before heading out on any walk — especially to the alpine area — stop at the Parks Desk in the Visitor Centre for the most up-to-date track and weather conditions. The best source of information is the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife website.
Current Conditions
Full BOM forecast ↗Mt Field has two distinct weather zones. Always check both before heading out — especially for alpine walks.
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Featured Walks
Every walk includes a map link for directions. Distances and times are sourced from Parks Tasmania official figures. Always check conditions at the Parks Desk before heading out.
Mt Field walk
Russell Falls
One of Tasmania's most iconic waterfalls — a tiered multi-drop fall surrounded by ancient tree ferns, mossy myrtle forest and swamp gums. The sealed, accessible path from the Visitor Centre is one of the finest short walks in the state.
Greg & Rachel's tip
Make sure you do this walk at night, not just through the day. As you get closer to Russell Falls there is a timber handrail — turn off your torch, let your eyes adjust to the dark, and use the handrail to guide you. The glow worms will appear in the mossy rocks, around ferns, and on the edges of the river too. This is one of the few places in the world you can see glow worms outside of a cave.
Location map
Russell Falls — starts at the Visitor Centre
Mt Field walk
Three Falls Circuit
A stunning circuit from the Visitor Centre linking Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Russell Falls through gullies, rainforest and the towering Tall Trees. One of the best half-day walks in Tasmania.
Greg & Rachel's tip
Start the circuit by heading to Lady Barron Falls first (anticlockwise), descending past Horseshoe and Russell Falls last — you go down the stairs rather than up, and you finish back at the Visitor Centre with the most iconic waterfall as your finale.
Location map
Three Falls Circuit — Visitor Centre start/finish
Mt Field walk
Tall Trees Walk
A peaceful loop through some of the tallest flowering plants on Earth — swamp gums reaching 60–70+ metres. Usually walked as part of the Three Falls Circuit, or as a standalone short walk from a separate car park on Lake Dobson Road.
Greg & Rachel's tip
If you are not doing the Three Falls Circuit, you can drive to the small Tall Trees car park on Lake Dobson Road (about 2 km from the Visitor Centre) for a stand-alone visit. The forest canopy in mist or light rain is extraordinary.
Location map
Tall Trees — Lake Dobson Road car park
Mt Field walk
Pandani Grove Nature Walk
One of Tasmania's Great Short Walks. Circle Lake Dobson through sub-alpine rainforest among towering pandani — Tasmania's tallest heath plant, growing up to 12 metres. Ancient pencil pines, snowgums and a lake viewing platform make this a highlight of the alpine area.
Greg & Rachel's tip
From Greg: start near the hut, then when you reach the road towards the end, turn around and walk back the way you came. Walking back is a completely different perspective and extends the natural beauty of the walk.
Location map
Pandani Grove — Lake Dobson car park (top of Lake Dobson Road)
Mt Field walk
Tarn Shelf Circuit
One of Tasmania's most celebrated day hikes. A series of glacial tarns set among alpine heath, pencil pine groves, snowgums and open button-grass plains at up to 1,293 m altitude. Autumn brings the famous fagus — Australia's only winter-deciduous tree — turning gold and red. Prepare for a serious alpine day.
Greg & Rachel's tip
Start no later than 9 am to ensure you are back before afternoon weather closes in. Carry warm, windproof layers, waterproofs, 2+ litres of water and emergency snacks regardless of the morning forecast. Weather at this altitude changes without warning.
Location map
Tarn Shelf — Lake Dobson car park (top of Lake Dobson Road)
Before every walk
Check in at the Parks Desk in the Visitor Centre for the most current track and weather conditions. Best source of information: the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife website ↗ and (03) 6288 1149.
Beyond the tracks
More to discover
A few of Greg and Rachel's nearby suggestions when you have time between walks.
Mt Field National Park Visitor Centre
About 5 mins walk
Information, facilities, and Waterfalls Cafe & Gallery — a short stroll from your pod.
Tall Trees
Short loop or via the falls walks
Continue from Horseshoe Falls, or drive up Lake Dobson Road to the small car park for a short loop among towering forest.
Trout Fishing — Tyenna River
On property
Fish the famed trout river. Check local regulations and seasons before you cast.
Photography Hotspots
Various
Russell Falls, Lake Dobson, alpine country and evening wildlife — bring a torch for after-dark glow worm walks.
Seasonal highlights
Spring & Summer
As the days get longer, the summer twilight makes for perfect platypus spotting. These are also beautiful times of the year to spot baby animals, native orchids and alpine wildflowers.
Autumn & Winter
Nothing is more stunning than the Turning of the Fagus. ANZAC Day is generally the time to make the pilgrimage into the alpine areas to see the mountain sides of autumn colour as the Fagus turns brilliant yellows and fiery reds — Nothofagus gunnii, Australia's only native winter deciduous tree.
Fungi hunting and taking the perfect mushroom photo is a favourite autumn and winter pastime. The walk to Russell Falls can suddenly take you all day long.
Winter is quieter — fewer people, more animal encounters, and often flooding rivers and raging waterfalls that will take your breath away. Snow, while it falls any time of the year, is normally best late August to early September. But as with any Tassie weather — no promises!
Ready for your adventure?
Check in at the Parks Desk, wear appropriate gear, and bring plenty of water. Have an amazing time exploring Mt Field.