Great Western Tiers

The Great Western Tiers form a dramatic escarpment on the northern edge of Tasmania's Central Plateau, a 50-kilometre wall of dolerite cliffs and towering peaks that catch the afternoon light in shades of gold and purple. This is a land of ancient forests, plunging waterfalls, and some of the island's most spectacular cave systems. For travellers on a Tasmanian self-drive itinerary, it's an essential detour that rewards with wild swimming holes, world-class trout fishing, and walking trails that range from gentle strolls to multi-day epics.

Highlights & What to See

• Mole Creek Karst National Park – explore the glowworm-lit chambers of Marakoopa Cave and the vast Cathedral chamber of King Solomons Cave, two of Australia's best show caves.
• Liffey Falls – a series of four cascades through myrtle and sassafras rainforest; the easy walk from the lower car park is perfect for families.
• Meander Falls – a challenging half-day hike to Tasmania's tallest single-drop waterfall (305 metres), with alpine views from the top.
• Alum Cliffs – a short walk leads to a vertiginous lookout over the Mersey River gorge, carved through ancient basalt.
• Great Western Tiers Viewpoint – pull over on the B12 highway for a classic photo of the escarpment reflected in a farm dam.
• Lakes of the Central Plateau – head up via the Lake Highway to access pristine dolerite tarns and wild brown trout fishing.

Suggested Time to Spend

With a car, you can sample the highlights in one full day: visit a cave in the morning, take a short rainforest walk at Liffey Falls for lunch, and finish with a waterfall hike or the Alum Cliffs lookout. For walkers and anglers, two to three days lets you explore deeper: overnight at a Central Plateau hut or fish the remote lakes. The area works well as a stopover between Launceston (45 minutes east) and Cradle Mountain (1.5 hours west).

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Launceston – Tasmania's second city, with Cataract Gorge, excellent food and wine, and the Tamar Valley wine region.
• Deloraine – a historic town on the Meander River, home to the Tasmanian Craft Fair and a gateway to the Tiers.
• Mole Creek – a small village with the Mole Creek Hotel and access to the karst caves.
• Central Plateau Conservation Area – alpine lakes, snow gum woodlands, and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park for serious bushwalkers.
• Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park – Tasmania's iconic alpine wilderness, about 90 minutes west via the B13.

Please check official sources for current details.