Montezuma Falls

Plunging 104 metres through dense temperate rainforest in the Tarkine wilderness, Montezuma Falls is Tasmania's tallest accessible waterfall and a dramatic reward for a moderately challenging hike. The track follows an old tramline built for the North-East Dundas Tramway, weaving past mossy relics and rusting mining machinery before opening onto a vertiginous viewing platform misted by the cascade. It's a quintessential Tassie experience: raw, green, and gloriously remote.

Highlights & What to See

• The waterfall itself – a slender but powerful 104-metre drop that thunders into a deep pool, best viewed from the steel platform that juts out opposite the falls.
• Historic tramway remnants – along the 4 km (one way) walk you'll spot sleepers, iron rails and a few original bridges, remnants of the early 20th-century mining railway.
• Rainforest immersion – the track passes through myrtle beech, sassafras and tree ferns, with birdlife including green rosellas and the occasional wedge-tailed eagle overhead.
• Wilderness solitude – far less frequented than Cradle Mountain, this walk offers a genuine sense of isolation, especially on weekdays.
• Photography opportunities – morning light filters through the canopy and mist can create ethereal conditions around the falls in spring and autumn.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow a full half-day for the return walk (3–4 hours at a steady pace) plus travel time from the nearest base (Rosebery or Zeehan). The track is well graded but can be muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is essential. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the platform or at the swing bridge crossing the lower reaches of the river. If you're coming from Launceston, budget the entire day for the round trip (about 3.5 hours drive each way).

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Rosebery – a historic mining town with a good pub and the gateway to the falls; stop for supplies or a meal.
• Zeehan – home to the West Coast Heritage Centre, a fascinating museum of mining and railway history.
• Mount Heemskirk – a shorter but steep walk to a rocky summit with sweeping views of the Tarkine coast.
• Trial Harbour – a wild, windswept settlement on the coast with a stunning beach and surf; perfect for a post-walk leg stretch.
• Strahan – about an hour south, offering Gordon River cruises, Sarah Island convict ruins and the famous Huon pine foreshore.
• Cataract Gorge – if you're basing yourself in Launceston, add a day exploring this dramatic river gorge with its pool, chairlift and walking trails.

Please check official sources for current details.