Discover how to reach this waterfall in the Hartz Mountains National Park, and what to expect on your visit.
Arve Falls is a very easily accessible waterfall fed by the Arve River in the Hartz Mountains National Park of Tasmania. While not the most impressive waterfall when compared to others like Horseshoe Falls or Montezuma, I’d still recommend a visit if you’re heading up to the Hartz Mountains!
Below I aim to arm you with all of the knowledge you need to organise a trip to these falls to make it a stress-free journey.
Where is Arve Falls?
A trailhead car park provides access to a short walk to the falls on Hartz Road, approximately 85 km south of Hobart.
Location: Arve Falls Track
The Arve Falls Walk
- Hiking Distance: 0.8 km return
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Elevation: N/A
- Difficulty: Very easy
The Arve Falls walk to the waterfall is one of the shortest, easiest & maintained waterfall hikes I've been on in Tasmania. The short track is very well-maintained and features short sections of boardwalk.
There is one section just before the falls where you will cross a bridge over the Arve River which is very scenic.
After about 450 m along the track from the car park, you will arrive at Arve Falls. There is a dedicated wooden viewing platform at the bottom but the view is slightly obscured from the trees.
Alternatively, there is a very short worn track just before the platform where I managed to get a clear view of the falls.
How to Get to Arve Falls
Unfortunately, there are no organised tours or public transport options running to the Hartz Mountains or Arve Falls. Therefore, the only way to reach this Tasmanian alpine waterfall is to drive here yourself.
Getting here:
No matter which direction you are coming from, you'll first need to head towards Geeveston. Once there, you'll follow the signs towards the Hartz Mountains and Tahune Adventures up Arve Road (sealed).
Approximately 12 km up the winding Arve Road you will see a turn-off onto Hartz Road (unsealed). Follow this road for about 13 km and you will find a large blue sign for Arve Falls on your left.
The road up to the Hartz Mountains is unsealed but well-graded. However, it is steep and can freeze over in the winter. We managed to get our big van up there without any trouble at all, but there was no ice on the road that day.
Tip: Check weather conditions before leaving and always pack adequate water, clothing, and food.
If you're set on exploring the mountains south of Hobart but don't have your own transport, I can certainly recommend this full-day tour from Hobart that includes some of the best activities in the South. These include the Tahune AirWalk and Hastings Caves.
What to Expect at Arve Falls Tasmania
The main drop is roughly 5 m, it's by no means the largest waterfall in Tasmania. However, it's still a scenic little waterfall that is worth the visit due to the very easy access and quick return.
Being an alpine area, you'll often find this area of the Hartz Mountains blanketed with snow during the winter months. Unfortunately, the snow had already melted when I arrived but it was still a worthwhile stop on the way back from Hartz Peak.
However, you'll often find photos online of the waterfall surrounded by snow, something a little unique that isn't very common for Australian waterfalls.
Accommodation Near the Hartz Mountains
1. The Tahune Airwalk Lodge Unique
You might be surprised to hear that you can actually stay at Tahune Adventures. There are numerous rooms to choose from ranging from bunk dorms to full-family suites. Facilities include a restaurant, a shared kitchen, and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi.
I hope that you found this quick waterfall guide to visiting Arve Falls Tasmania in Hartz Mountains National Park useful.
Before you go, check out some of my other Tassie adventure guides and blogs. I've spent several months exploring the island and have loads of resources that I want to share with you.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!