Mount Field National Park

Mount Field National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Australia. It is located 64 kilometres northwest of Hobart, with a diverse landscape of striking mountain peaks, rainforests, waterfalls and glacial lakes. Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, in winter it transforms into a ski field and in autumn it is ablaze with the changing colours of the Fagus (deciduous beech tree). Home to Russell Falls, one of Tasmania's favourite waterfalls, and some of the tallest trees in the world.

Where should you visit Mount Field National Park?

Highlights

There are many spectacular walks and hikes at Mount Field National Park. Go on a majestic journey through alpine meadows, rainforests, tall trees, lakes, and waterfalls. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for pademelon, echidna and wombat, and let the unique flora and fauna pique your curiosity.

Join locals on an autumn pilgrimage

Tarn Shelf is both a pilgrimage during the turning of the Fagus and a natural wonder on the Rodway Range. Join locals on their annual trek to witness a dazzling display of colour. The trio of waterfalls Horseshoe Falls, Lady Barron Falls and Russell Falls, is the most visited area of the national park. Have your camera ready because you'll want to document your time at the most photographed waterfall in Tasmania. Discover the swamp gum, otherwise known as the king of the rainforest. These trees are the tallest in Australia growing up to 100 metres in height.

Activities

Experience three of Tasmania's Great Short Walks

Pandani Grove

Walk the 1.5-kilometre circuit around Lake Dobson and through the forest of Pandani Grove. Enjoy 30 minutes of a magical forest, shaggy grove and pandani, the world's tallest heath plant.

Tall Trees

Take your time as you meander around some of the tallest flowering plants on the planet. Look up to trees reaching for the sky and marvel at their height. This track is one kilometre of pure wonder.

Russell Falls

This is an easy 1.4-kilometre track that is great to do with the family. Walk around Tasmania's most popular waterfall on a trail that is wheelchair friendly and lit with glowworms at night. If you are a little more adventurous and don't mind climbing a few stairs, you can extend this hike to view Horseshoe Falls. At the Russell Falls platform take the stairs about 400 metres up to the smaller but equally beautiful Horseshoe Falls.

Relish the rarity of a tarn and alpine landscape

A must-do in autumn is the Tarn Shelf Circuit. It is a 12-kilometre loop of alpine meadow and follows the perfect arrangement of stunning lakes across the Tarn Shelf. Witness a scene of glacial lakes surrounded by a sea of red, orange and gold leaves.

Best travel time

Mount Field is a place you can visit during any season depending on what you'd like to see and do. In winter Mount Mawson becomes a snow-covered cross-country skiing playground. As winter fades and spring arrives Mt Field receives its most rainfall and the waterfalls are in full flow. Autumn is a photographer's dream as the leaves turn to orange and red and all you can see is a riot of colour.

How to get there

The Mount Field National Park is an approximate 60-minute drive from Hobart and three hours from Launceston. If you are based in Hobart, the proximity makes it perfect for a day of adventure. You could do a short hike, visit a few waterfalls and drive to Lake Dobson all in a day.

Mount Field is one of the first national parks created in Tasmania, the roads are therefore easily accessible and there are numerous signposts along the way. The visitor centre is well-equipped with information, a playground for kids, camping and picnic facilities and a restaurant.

Where to stay?

Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our large collection of hand-selected accommodations located in the Mount Field National Park and beyond. Your travel specialist will match you up with accommodations that suit your wants and needs. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.

Why book with us?

• A well-designed holiday, just for you

• Small-scale accommodations run by friendly local hosts

• Carefully recommended activities based on your interests

• A travel tempo and driving distances that match your needs

• Ingrained sustainability in all facets of your holiday

• 30 years of experience in travel to Australia

Let's design your holiday together

We'll take the time to get to know you to match your fully bespoke holiday with your pace, your interests, and anything you desire. Combined with first-hand, local knowledge, you'll receive a mapped-out itinerary from us - but the process isn't done until you are 100% satisfied. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. Get in touch to get started now.