Nelson Falls is an awe-inspiring sight within Tasmania’s Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Walk along a short interpretive trail that meanders through western Tasmania’s ancient forests and reach a viewpoint that looks out toward the stunning cascade. The rewarding walk is a great way to learn about the geology and biodiversity of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness.
Begin your walk along the trail and you’ll soon be immersed in the lush foliage of the cool-temperate rainforest. Admire ancient plants their ancestors grew amid the rainforests of the supercontinent of Gondwana. Try to pick out the flora species that have relatives in New Zealand and South America. Peer up at the towering native rainforest trees, such as myrtle, leatherwood and sassafras. You might be able to spot the seven different types of fern that grow in the dappled light below the forest canopy.
Read the interpretive signage that explains the region’s fascinating geological history and plant life. Listen for the sound of running water. As you reach the viewing platform, you’ll be greeted by the sight of a mighty waterfall. Nelson Falls is a broad cascade that leaps over a staircase of rock formations. Take photographs of the waterfall as it spills over the mossy rocks and into the burbling creek below. Return via the same path to get back to the trailhead.
The trail to Nelson Falls is an easy 0.4-mile (700-meter) stroll along a graded-gravel path. Complete the return trail in less than 30 minutes.
Located on the roadside of the highway that bisects Tasmania’s wild west, the Nelson Falls stopover is a great way to break up the drive between Queenstown and Derwent Bridge. The trailhead is located 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) from Queenstown. National parks fees apply to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Obtain a parks pass online or at the information centers in Queenstown or Lake St Clair. The nearest picnic and restroom facilities can be found 20.5 miles (33 kilometers) away at the Franklin River.
