Hiking guide to the 11 km round-trip trail to the tallest waterfall in the state!
Yes, Montezuma Falls is the highest permanent waterfall in Tasmania. This incredible, sleepy giant is located on Tasmania’s Wild West Coast and is accessible via an easy yet very scenic forest track.
Not only does the track resemble something from “The Chronicles of Narnia,” but it also features hidden mining tunnels and an epic swinging bridge that is great for capturing the perfect shot of the falls.
In this waterfall guide, I’ll provide detailed directions, share my hiking experience, and post some incredible photos from my trip.
About Montezuma Falls in Tasmania
Montezuma Falls height: 104 m
Montezuma Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall found at the end of an easy 1.5-hour forest hike along a historic former tramway. The area is managed by "Sustainable Timber Tasmania", (formerly Forestry Tasmania) but is open to the public.
Unfortunately, due to a long mining history in the region surrounding Rosebery, the rivers and creeks are contaminated with heavy metals and are unsafe for drinking. I found this to be a particularly tragic reality considering just how wild and bio-diverse this region is.
Where is Montezuma Falls?
The waterfall track is accessible via Williamsford, which is approximately 2 km south of Rosebery in Tasmania's west.
The trailhead is approximately 63 km from Strahan or 35 km from Tullah. This area is mostly a mining region, so the towns are quite small and remote.
You'll also likely lose reception on the way to Montezuma Falls after passing Rosebery. Therefore, I suggest saving this blog or loading the map directions below beforehand.
Google Maps Pin: "N E Dundas Tramway, Falls Trailhead"
How to Get to Montezuma Waterfall
Use the above GPS coordinates or Google Maps pin to navigate to the falls. I suggest putting this in before leaving as reception along the way is horrible.
For guided directions:
- Head to the western side of Rosebery on the Murchison Highway (A10), whether from the West Coast or Tullah.
- Outside of Rosebery, turn onto Williamsford Road.
- Follow the steep, winding Williamsford Road for a few kilometres.
- Look for signs directing you to Montezuma Falls.
- Stay on Williamsford Road until you see a sign near Scotts Creek to pull over on your right.
- You'll find a large, cleared car park near the trailhead with signage and space for around 25+ cars.
WIlliamsford Road is unsealed for much of the journey. However, the road is in good condition and passes private residences so you shouldn't have to worry in good weather, even if you have a big van or camper.
Tip: There's a small fuel station in Rosebery which would be wise to fill up at since you won't find another until Strahan or Queenstown.
Guided Tour Option
Whilst being quite a popular waterfall in Tasmania, Montezuma is quite remote. Consequently, you won't find many guided tours that visit this far-reaching corner of Tasmania.
In saying that, if you find yourself in Hobart, there is a very high-rated 5-day tour that includes a visit at Montezuma, as well as many of the other major highlights in Tasmania.
Tip: If you don't have your own vehicle in Tassie yet, make sure to compare prices on RentalCars.com.
My Experience on the Hike
- Hiking Trail: Montezuma Falls Trail
- Hiking Distance: 11 km return
- Duration: 3 hours return
- Elevation: 120 m total elevation gain (gradual and mostly flat)
- Difficulty: Easy
The Montezuma Falls walk begins at the trailhead mentioned in the directions above. It is mostly flat, with a wide track following the old North East Dundas Tramway. There are signs the entire way and it is extremely easy to follow.
While this waterfall hike is a little long at 11 km return, I've rated it as easy as it really is a walk in the park. There were a couple of awesome elderly ladies that we met along the way who I'd say were in their 70s and they didn't seem to have a problem with the Montezuma Falls hike at all.
Along the way, we crossed a couple of old wooden bridges and passed through narrowly carved passages through the mountains.
While you are constantly reminded of the mining heritage, nature is quite breathtaking. The track is surrounded by beautiful rainforests consisting of large leatherwoods, myrtles, giant tree ferns, and sassafras.
Check out my Strava for a detailed representation of the trail.
The Famous Falls Suspension Bridge
Approximately 5 km along the Montezuma Falls walk, we came across the famous suspension bridge. This bridge is one of the most impressive I've seen in Tasmania and makes for some great photo opportunities directly adjacent to the waterfall.
Unfortunately, the Montezuma Falls suspension bridge has suffered some damage due to flooding and tree fall. As a result, the bridge was closed during my visit. I'm not sure if there are any immediate plans by "Sustainable Timber Tasmania" to rectify the bridge.
Update 2023: The bridge has now been repaired and is back open!
Don't worry though, you don't need to cross the bridge to reach the 104 m Montezuma Falls. We stopped by the bridge, snapped some photos, and continued on to the base of the multi-tiered forest giant.
Arriving at the Base of the Waterfall
Walk just a few hundred metres up from the suspension bridge and you'll find yourself at the base of Montezuma Falls, Tasmania's highest permanent waterfall.
The view from the bottom is great, with plenty of space to put down your pack and take some photos. Looking up, the waterfall spills down the steep cliff in several stepped tiers and finishes on top of a few large boulders.
Depending on the season, this waterfall can range from a gentle pour to a powerful waterfall which is almost impossible to get close to.
When we visited in winter, we were fortunate enough to find it somewhere in between However, while we did wait around for it to clear, the fog was so thick that we couldn't make out the top of the waterfall. Either way, we were really happy as it created a beautiful, moody scene.
Mining Tunnels along the Trail
Less than 1 km on the way back (or on the way to the waterfall), keep an eye out for the entrance to an old mining tunnel. It's possible to walk into this claustrophobic tunnel chasm, which ends at a barrier about 10 m in.
More: Montezuma Falls 4WD Track
In this guide, I focused on the trail hike to the waterfall. However, there is also a 4WD track providing an alternative route to reach the waterfall.
They say that this particular 4WD track is quite difficult to cover and that if it has been raining, don't even think about it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to check out this section but if you are interested, my friends from The Caravan of Courage have recorded a Vlog as they tackled it on an electric motorbike. I've embedded it below!
Where to Stay in Tasmania's West
The most popular place to stay in Western Tasmania is in Strahan. There's just so much to see and do in this region and it's worth at least a couple of days.
1. Wheelhouse Apartments Strahan
These unique apartments are located in Strahan, each with river or lake view. Known as some of the best-rated online for Western Tasmania with their large floor-to-ceiling windows and location to the esplanade walking track.
2. The Boat House Strahan
Another Strahan favorite, this affordable holiday accommodation option features river views. It includes a kitchen and living area along with a small outdoor lawn area for the kids to play.
3. Penghana B&B Queenstown
Overlooking the town of Queenstown this 1898 National Trust Mansion is great for couples or singles exploring the area. The presentation of the interior is like stepping back in time & a wonderful free breakfast is provided.
That wraps up this quick guide to exploring Montezuma Falls Tasmania.
If you enjoyed this waterfall hike, then I'm sure you'll love some of the other epic and off-the-beaten-path spots to explore in the area. I've spent several months photographing and documenting some of the best, so make sure to check them out!
- 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!
Rob
Sunday 24th of October 2021
Excellent article Olly, thanks. I hiked into Montezuma falls about thirty years ago. Glad they’ve made it a bit more accessible. Cheers