7 Waterfalls Near Hobart You Can See on a Day Trip

Discover some of the most beautiful waterfalls near Hobart. From exploring pristine fern forests to scenic cascades just a short drive from Hobart City.

Hobart is the city where most Aussie and international travellers land when flying into Tasmania. Besides driving to the summit of Mount Wellington, what better way to explore Tassie’s iconic wilderness than to go on a quick waterfall-chasing trip straight from town?

In this guide, I outline the 7 best waterfalls near Hobart that you can visit on a day trip. I’ve also included useful information on the distance, location, and walking time to each waterfall to help you plan your waterfall adventures.

Check out my guide for things to do near Hobart if you’ve got some extra days or spare time.

Top Waterfalls Near Hobart

Below is the rundown of the best waterfalls near Hobart. Continue reading for a quick guide on how to get to each waterfall with my photography to inspire your visit!

1. Myrtle Gully Falls (Secret Falls)
2. Strickland Falls
3. O'Gradys Falls
4. Silver Falls
5. Wellington Falls
6. Snug Falls
7. Mount Field National Park Waterfalls

1. Myrtle Gully Falls (Secret Falls)

• Distance from Hobart: 25-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 5-minute walk
• Difficulty: Easy

Known as Tasmania's worst-kept secret, Myrtle Gully Falls, or Secret Falls as it's also known, is a small cascade at the end of Old Farm Road, in the Cascades area of Hobart.

To get here, head down Cascade Road, pass the iconic "Cascade Brewery" and continue all the way down to the end of Old Farm Road. Here, you'll find a small carpark to begin the walk.

This tiny little waterfall has gained popularity not for its size, but for its scenic surroundings and easy access. Walkers will find this quaint Hobart waterfall just five minutes down the "Myrtle Gully Track" near the fire trail access.

2. Strickland Falls

• Distance from Hobart: 10-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 10-minute walk
• Difficulty: Easy

It seems there are hundreds of waterfalls in Australia sharing the name "Strickland Falls" The Strickland waterfall near Hobart is another great option for a quick visit to experience tranquil cascades and dense forest typical at the feet of Mount Wellington. Best of all, it's just a 10-minute drive from the centre of the city!

Flowing from the Hobart Rivulet, Strickland Falls is roughly 4 m tall but has several beautiful cascades further upstream. There is a carpark dedicated to the falls just off Strickland Avenue (Fern Tree). From here, it's just a 10-minute walk to reach the main drop.

3. O'Gradys Falls

• Distance from Hobart: 15-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 20-minute walk
• Difficulty: Easy

While you're visiting Strickland Falls, you may as well head up the Rivulet trail, accessible from the same carpark up to O'Gradys Falls. This is another waterfall near Hobart that's definitely worthy of a visit.

O'Gradys Falls is a much taller waterfall than the others already mentioned but you will need commit to a short walk to reach it. The truth is, there are dozens of ways to reach this waterfall as the web of hiking trails around Mount Wellington intersect.

I must add you can bring your furry friend on this walk as it is a pet friendly trail!

Whichever track you take, once you reach it, you'll notice a wooden altitude sign (450 m above sea-level) and a skinny wooden bridge. This is a great vantage point of the 10 m tall O'Gradys Falls but you can also walk around the track to reach its base quite easily.

4. Silver Falls

• Distance from Hobart: 14-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 10-minute walk
• Difficulty: Easy

Accessible via many hiking trails on Mount Wellington, Silver Falls is another cascade worthy of a spot on the list of great waterfalls near Hobart.

Silver Falls flows on Browns River, a historic watercourse on the slopes of Mount Wellington that has and continues to provide water to Hobart's citizens.

The best way to reach Silver Falls is to head to Fern Tree and take one of the many tracks leading to the waterfall (Park the car near the Pipelines Track).

While again, this isn't the largest waterfall near Hobart, those keen on extending their adventure can continue up to the Springs or even to Wellington Falls (below) as we did.

5. Wellington Falls

• Distance from Hobart: 25-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 5-7 hours
• Difficulty: Hard

Wellington Falls is the largest waterfall in Wellington National Park. Fittingly then, it also requires the lengthiest hike to reach.

Wellington Falls is a tall cascade with two major drops tucked away in a small corner of the forest. At the end of a long walk, visitors can admire the falls from a vantage point above or continue down to its base.

To get to Wellington Falls, you can either start at Fern Tree as we did or drive up to The Springs for a shorter trip. The official signs state that the return trip can take over seven hours but we did it in around four.

The track leading to Wellington Falls, the biggest waterfall near Hobart, is a great adventure requiring scenic forest strolls, boulder hopping, and even a short stretch through 1000 m+ alpine conditions.

6. Snug Falls

• Distance from Hobart: 20-minutes
• Trail distance to falls: 40 minutes-1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy

Coming in at six on this list of Hobart waterfalls we have Snug Falls– located in the nearby town of Snug, just 20 minutes south of Hobart. This waterfall drops over 25 m in a beautiful eucalypt amphitheater at the end of a short 1.5 km walk.

Even if you don't have a car, you can reach snug by taking a bus. However, the Snug Falls track is located at the end of a narrow unsealed road approximately 6 km from the bus stop. So, from town, you'll either need to put in an extra few km or try your luck hitchhiking.

The track to Snug Falls begins just before a bend on the unsealed Snug Falls Road. It's relatively easy, involving a gentle descent for the majority of the walk to the falls. Consequently, though, you'll need to put the legs into gear on the way back up. But, don't worry, this one is quite easy and more of a relaxing stroll than anything.

7. The Three Falls Track: Mount Field National Park Waterfalls

• Distance from Hobart: 1 hour
• Trail distance to falls: 2-hour loop
• Difficulty: Easy

It would be a shame to disclude the epic Mount Field waterfalls in an article about waterfalls near Hobart. That's because these waterfalls are among some of the best in Tasmania and easily reachable on a day trip from Hobart.

What's great about the Mount Field waterfalls is that you can see all three on a single track (Three Falls Track). These include Tasmania's most famous waterfalls all starting from the Mount Field Visitor Centre.

Russell Falls

• Distance: 20-minutes return
• Difficulty: Easy

Accessible via an easy walk, it’s perfect for all ages and a popular spot for photography.

Horseshoe Falls

• Distance: 15-minute walk from Russell Falls
• Difficulty: Easy

A beautiful tiered waterfall surrounded by lush forest, offering picturesque and tranquil surroundings (something from a fairytale).

Lady Barron Falls

• Distance: 2-hour return (including visits to above waterfalls)
• Difficulty: Easy

A picturesque cascade that offers a serene and less crowded experience compared to the other falls. Many people turn around at horseshoe but the whole circuit is well worth it!

How to Get to These Iconic Waterfalls Near Hobart

By far, the best way to explore all of these waterfalls near Hobart is to have your own car. However, if you don't, don't worry, there are a few options for you other than renting one.

Many of the waterfalls near Hobart are located on the slopes of Mount Wellington and the cascades are reachable on foot or by taking a bus closer to the trailhead. Check out the Hobart bus schedule and route here.

Also, for those who would rather just book a guided tour I've listed the best-rated and most cost-effective waterfall trip below.

Book: Mount Field Waterfalls & Mount Wellington Day Trip

Looking for Where to Stay in Hobart?

Below are my top picks for a comfortable sleep before a big day of waterfall adventures around Hobart!

1. The Grand Chancellor Luxury

Centrally located on the waterfront overlooking Constitution Dock, the Grand Chancellor Hotel is one of the most prominent accommodation options in Hobart if you have the budget.

2. The Rivulet Mid-Range

The Rivulet is an awesome 19th-century, heritage-listed manor. It offers some of the best suites in Hobart without a ridiculous price tag and is located in a quiet street close to the main hub in Hobart.

3. Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse Budget

For budget travellers and backpackers, Montacute is by far the best place to stay in Hobart. Ranked as having the best vibe in the city for meeting people and having the best location for nightlife.

And that wraps up this list of the best Hobart waterfalls. If you enjoyed this short guide to the best waterfalls near Hobart, then make sure to check out some of my other Tasmanian travel guides and blogs.

I've spent several months documenting and photographing some of Tasmania's best adventures. So, I'm sure you'll find some inspiration for your next visit!