About 75 kilometres northwest of Hobart, Mt Field National Park Tasmania is the oldest national park down here and, on the right day, one of its most satisfying. The park layers three distinct ecosystems — cool temperate rainforest at the entrance, subalpine woodland in the middle, and open moorland above Lake Dobson — and the main walking tracks give you a genuine cross-section without requiring an overnight pack or a booking months ahead. This article shares the best stops, spots, walks what you need to know before you go.
Russell Falls — The Walk Everyone Does (For Good Reason)
Standing at the base of Russell Falls for the first time, I did what most visitors do: stared up at three tiers of falling water, took a few photos, and then turned back toward the trail. It was only on a second visit — this time with a full day set aside — that I understood what I’d missed. Past the falls, up through the myrtle beech and towering tree ferns, a loop track runs through stands of swamp gum that reach 85 metres without anyone standing there remarking on them. Mt Field National Park rewards the people who stay longer.
The Russell Falls walk is 20 minutes return from the car park — paved, flat, fully accessible, and genuinely impressive. The falls drop in three tiers, the main cascade widening as it falls, framed by tree ferns that arch over the boardwalk from both sides. In the morning, before the tour buses arrive, the whole place has a quiet that belongs to an older version of the state.
There is nothing difficult here. The path is sealed all the way to the main viewing platform, and the only hill you encounter is right at the end. For anyone travelling with young children, mobility limitations, or simply limited time, this is one of the easiest worthwhile short walks in Tasmania.
From the Russell Falls viewing area, a dirt path continues uphill for another 15–20 minutes to Horseshoe Falls — narrower, more tucked into the forest, and significantly quieter. Most visitors do not extend to Horseshoe Falls. If you have comfortable footwear and the time, it is worth doing.
The Tall Trees Walk — 30 Minutes You Won’t Regret
Beyond Horseshoe Falls, the Tall Trees Walk branches off as a 1-kilometre loop through a forest of mountain ash and swamp gums that are among the tallest flowering plants on earth. Add it to your Russell Falls visit and your total time at the falls increases by around 30 minutes. I have never met anyone who felt that was a poor use of their afternoon.
The trees here reach 80–90 metres in mature specimens. That is a figure that does not feel like much until you are standing underneath one trying to locate the canopy. There is no dramatic viewing platform or interpretive display — just very large trees in a quiet forest. The track loops back to rejoin the main path, so you return to the car park without doubling back.
If you are combining the Russell Falls circuit with the Tall Trees loop, allow around 1.5 to 2 hours total from the car park.
Lake Dobson and the Alpine Plateau
From the park entrance, a sealed road winds 16 kilometres up to Lake Dobson at roughly 1,000 metres above sea level. The drive takes about 25–30 minutes and is manageable in a standard 2WD vehicle, though the road narrows in sections and ices up in winter. Check current road conditions if you are visiting between June and August.
Lake Dobson itself is a clear alpine tarn hemmed in by pencil pines and pandani — the spiky, ancient-looking grass trees that grow only in Tasmanian alpine environments. On a calm day it reflects the surrounding ridge. On a cold, grey one it is eerie in the best possible way.
Two walks start from the lake car park. The Pandani Grove Nature Walk circles Lake Dobson in about 20 minutes — easy underfoot, close encounters with the pandani, good for anyone who has made the drive up and wants to stretch their legs without committing to more.
The Tarn Shelf Track is the serious option: 9 kilometres return along the plateau edge above the lake, crossing a sequence of small tarns set in open moorland with wide views back down the Derwent Valley. Allow 3–4 hours. On a clear autumn day, the alpine heath turns russet and gold and the whole plateau is worth the drive regardless of whether you walk. In winter, the Tarn Shelf is serious terrain and not appropriate for a casual day walk without alpine experience.
How to Structure Your Day at Mt Field National Park
A half-day (roughly 4 hours) covers Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and the Tall Trees Walk with time to eat lunch and drive out without rushing. That is the minimum version, and it is a solid one.
For a full day that includes Lake Dobson, my suggested structure:
- Arrive by 9:00am and do Russell Falls before the coach groups
- Add Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees loop — allow an extra 45 minutes.
- Picnic lunch at the entrance area (pack your own — do not rely on the kiosk)
- Drive up to Lake Dobson in the early afternoon
- Pandani Grove Nature Walk, or the Tarn Shelf if you want a proper hike
- Drive down and out by 4:00pm
Mt Field Three Falls Walk
An alternative Mt Field day trip itinerary is to set out earlier and walk the full Mt Field Three Falls Walk. Its a loop or circuit walk that includes Russell Falls, Tall Trees Link Track, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. And its through beautiful rainforest and bush surrounds. Here are the stats 👇🏽. We took our time to soak it all in, but you could do it in 1.5hrs if you’re packing activities into your day.
🔐 Inside Tip: To avoid a steep stair climb, do the Three Falls Walk in a clockwise direction. Don’t follow the crowds up to Russell Falls. This is the anticlockwise
Practical Information for Mt Field National Park, Tasmania
| Entry fee | A Tasmania National Parks Pass is required. The day pass is approximately $35 per vehicle; the 8-week holiday pass is approximately $60 and covers all Tasmanian national parks. Buy online via the Parks Tasmania website before you go — it saves time at the gate. |
|---|---|
| Getting there | 75km northwest of Hobart via the Gordon River Road (A10). Drive time approximately 1 hour. No public transport — a car is essential. |
| Road conditions | The Gordon River Road is sealed. The Lake Dobson road is mostly sealed but narrow in places, with ice possible June–August. Check the Parks Tasmania website for current alerts. |
| How long to allow | Half day minimum for the waterfall and rainforest walks. Full day to include Lake Dobson and the Pandani Grove or Tarn Shelf tracks. |
| Facilities | Toilets near the park entrance. Seasonal kiosk (limited hours, not reliable for lunch). Picnic tables and BBQs. No mobile coverage inside the park. |
| Best time to visit | Year-round for the rainforest and waterfall walks. November–April for Lake Dobson and the alpine tracks. The falls are most powerful after rain. |
| What to bring | Water, food, layers (the upper plateau is cool even in summer), a waterproof jacket. Runners are fine for Russell Falls; boots recommended for Lake Dobson and the Tarn Shelf. |
| Camping | Camping at Monash Campground inside the park — basic facilities. Lake Dobson Cabin is available for hire. Both book through Parks Tasmania. |
What to know before you go
There is no mobile coverage inside the park. If you are heading to Lake Dobson, let someone know your plan before you leave the entrance area.
Lake Dobson is up a winding gravel road. A long one. Snow days are a no go the high you go up on the Tarn Shelf. Its best to check snow forecasts before you set out and if there’s snow give Mt Field Visitor Centre a call on 03 6288 1149 to see if the roads are open.
What to Combine With Your Mt Field Visit
The Gordon River Road to Mt Field passes through the Derwent Valley, which has enough to warrant a stop on the way. New Norfolk is 15 minutes from the Hobart end of the valley — the Welcome Swallow brewery is a good end-of-day stop – we had dinner here, and the town’s main street has a density of 19th-century buildings that takes you by surprise.
What about outside the main town of New Norfolk? We loved these stops:
The Salmon Ponds at Plenty, a few kilometres further on, is Australia’s oldest trout hatchery: genuinely odd, genuinely enjoyable, and about an hour to look around properly.
🔐: Inside tip: you’re almost guaranteed to see a platypus frolicking up close at the Salmon Ponds in the Derwent Valley – worth the price of admission alone. There’s also a busy cafe overlooking the beautiful grounds if you need to fuel up on caffeine before your Mt Field hike.
Two Meter Tall brewery is also an authentic Tasmanian experience. And the Brewers and Owners couldn’t be more friendly. Total unique in the kind of fermented beer brews they specialise in. We had our first seafood beer here and it was oddly umami satisfying.
Maydena, about 15 kilometres further west on the Gordon River Road, is the base for the Maydena Bike Park — 130-plus kilometres of trails at altitude. Specific interest, but worth building in if you are travelling with a mountain biker.
If Mt Field has put you in the mood for more half-day walks around the island, the Tasmania short walks guide covers the best under-2-hour tracks across Tasmania.
Summary
Mt Field earns its status as one of Tasmania’s most visited national parks not by being the most dramatic but by doing several things quietly well. Tiered waterfalls, ancient trees, and an alpine plateau above the cloud line — all within an hour of Hobart — is an unusual combination. Go early, carry your lunch, and do not skip the drive up to Lake Dobson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mt Field National Park
How long does the Russell Falls walk take?
The Russell Falls walk takes 20–25 minutes return from the car park at a comfortable pace. Adding Horseshoe Falls brings it to about 45 minutes return. Include the Tall Trees loop and allow a full 1.5 to 2 hours for the complete circuit.
Do you need a national parks pass for Mt Field National Park, Tasmania?
Yes. A Tasmania National Parks Pass is required. The standard day pass is approximately $35 per vehicle. If you are visiting more than one Tasmanian national park — Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, or others — the 8-week holiday pass at around $60 is much better value. Passes can be purchased online through the Parks Tasmania website or at the park entrance. Some accommodation providers in Tasmania include a parks pass with their rate — worth checking at the time of booking.
Is Mt Field National Park open in winter?
The park is open year-round. The Russell Falls and Tall Trees walks are accessible and worthwhile in winter — the falls are at their most powerful after rain. The Lake Dobson road may ice up or close temporarily after snowfall; check Parks Tasmania for current conditions before heading up between June and August. The Tarn Shelf and higher alpine walks are not suitable for casual walkers when there is snow cover.
How far is Mt Field from Hobart?
Mt Field National Park is approximately 75 kilometres northwest of Hobart, via the Gordon River Road. The drive takes about 1 hour in normal conditions.
Can you swim at Mt Field National Park?
Swimming in the park’s waterways is not permitted — the rivers and lakes are within a protected water catchment area under Parks Tasmania regulations. There are swimming options in the broader Derwent Valley outside the park boundaries in warmer months.
Is Mt Field National Park suitable for young kids?
Yes. The Russell Falls walk is one of the better short family walks in Tasmania — paved, flat, under 30 minutes, and impressive at the end. The Tall Trees loop is also easy. The Lake Dobson road and alpine tracks are better suited to older children or confident young walkers in good weather conditions.
Where should you stay near Mt Field National Park?
Most visitors do Mt Field as a day trip from Hobart — it is an hour each way and very manageable. If you want to stay closer, there is camping at Monash Campground inside the park and the Mt Field Government Huts (both book through Parks Tasmania). The Derwent Valley has a range of cottages and farm stays, and New Norfolk is the nearest town with broader accommodation options.
We stayed at hosted accommodation in New Norfolk. A relaxing option if you want access to the markets and breweries near the township.
