A detailed guide on how to reach this hidden 90 m rainforest waterfall in the Saint Columba State Reserve.
After being locked in our van for the past few days following what felt like endless rain, we were stoked to finally get out there again and start exploring.
The first port of call was St Columba Falls near Pyengana. This waterfall is one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls at over 90 m! After so much rain, we were ecstatic about the prospect of seeing it in full roar– and we weren’t disappointed!
Where Is St Columba Falls
The waterfall is located within the St Columba Falls State Reserve, near the small village of Pyengana. This is approximately 2 hours drive from Launceston or 1 hour from Bay of Fires.
While you can see the actual waterfall from the road, there is a short track leading to a viewing platform directly below the waterfall which is a must if visiting the falls.
The road leading to the waterfall trailhead is sealed the entire way and easily accessible. We got there in our big van without any trouble. However, the road is a little winding and narrow in some sections.

How to Get to St Columba Falls
Since there are no public transport options, this guide will focus on getting to St Columba Falls with your own means of transport.
Location: St Columba Falls Road
You'll want to enter the pin above on your GPS or phone. This will take you on to "St Columba Falls Road", which is the only way in and out to the waterfall car park.

From St Helens
If you're driving from St Helens, expect around 30 minutes of driving to reach the falls. To begin, take the Tasman Highway all the way until you see signs for "St Columba Falls Road" (C428). Follow this road for 15 minutes (11 km) before arriving at the waterfall car park.
From Launceston
From Launceston, expect a 2-hour drive to the falls, again following the Tasman Highway until you reach the turn-off on St Columba Falls Road.

The Falls Walk
- Hiking Distance: 1.2 km return
- Hike Duration: 20-30 minutes return
- Difficulty: Easy
The St Columba Falls walk begins at the car park and winds down the valley crossing a short bridge, and finishes at a wide, wooden viewing platform just below the waterfall.

At the start of the walk, there is a small hut with information about colonial history and a little about the historic Pub in the Paddock (near Pyengana).

The walk to the waterfall is quite short and the ground is firm and well-graded. There is a slight incline on the way back up, but nothing to worry about for even the most unfit of us out there.
We enjoyed the walk to this epic waterfall as we found it very scenic. There were plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos of the river, bridge, forest of man ferns, and ancient myrtle rainforest trees.



What to Expect at St Columba Falls
St Columba Falls Height: 90 m
Unsurprisingly, St Columba is considered one of Tasmania's tallest permanent waterfalls! What they mean by this is that it's running year-round, even without much rainfall. That's because the waterfall has a huge catchment area, 4200 hectares of it including Mt Victoria and Mt Albert.
Visiting after heavy rain meant that it was absolutely roaring when we arrived. It was difficult to even stand at the viewing platform without getting soaked!
Tip: Due to the dense rainforest in this area it is prone to leeches, especially after heavy rainfall. Wear long socks and pants to prevent leeches from finding their way to your skin.

However, we were really happy we made the trip out to the waterfall following heavy rain since we were able to capture some unique photos showcasing the waterfall in all its glory!

About The Hotel - The Pub in the Paddock
On the drive into the waterfall car park, you might have seen signs for the "Pub in the Paddock" hotel.
This is a historic hotel that dates back over 120 years to colonial times! In fact, the waterfall itself is named after the woman who built the pub when her boys found it while exploring the nearby rainforest.




I hope that this quick guide to visiting St Columba Falls near Pyengana, Tasmania has been useful in planning your trip.
For more useful adventure guides and epic Tazzy travel inspiration, make sure to check out some of the other destinations throughout Tasmania covered in this blog.
- 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!