Travel guide
Three Falls Circuit: route guide
The Three Falls Circuit is a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) loop in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, linking Russell, Horseshoe and Lady Barron falls plus the Tall Trees Walk. Most walkers finish in 2.5–4 hours; allow longer if you stop often. Do it clockwise, and skip it only in heavy rain or snow.The Three Falls Circuit is a 4.7 mi (7.5 km) loop in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, linking Russell, Horseshoe and Lady Barron falls plus the Tall Trees Walk. Most walkers finish in 2.5–4 hours; allow longer if you stop often. Do it clockwise, and skip it only in heavy rain or snow.
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Key facts
- Distance
- 7.5 km circuit
- Time
- 2.5–4 hours at an easy pace; longer with photo stops
- Grade
- Grade 3 (Australian Walking Track Grading System), with some grade 2 sections
- Start
- Mount Field National Park visitor centre, via the back door
- Hardest part
- About 200 stairs near Horseshoe Falls and 239 steps east of Lady Barron Falls
- Park entry
- Tasmanian national park pass required for vehicles; buy online or at the visitor centre
- Best season
- Spring to autumn (October–April); snow possible in winter
- Nearest town
- New Norfolk, about 30–40 minutes by road from the park
The route
The circuit starts at the Mount Field National Park visitor centre. Walk through the building and out the back door: the track to Russell Falls begins there, and the loop returns to the same point. Parking at the centre fills quickly, so use the overflow car park on the left of Lake Dobson Road (C609) if the main one is full.
Go clockwise. Russell Falls comes first and is the busiest spot on the track, so an early start means fewer people in your photos. From Russell Falls the path climbs through tall forest to Horseshoe Falls, then continues east to Lady Barron Falls before looping back to the visitor centre. The Tall Trees Walk sits on the return leg and is the section most people rush; it is worth the extra 20 minutes.
| Leg | Distance | Walking time | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre to Russell Falls | About 10 minutes | 10–15 min | Boardwalk, fern gully, Russell Falls |
| Russell Falls to Horseshoe Falls | About 1.5 km | 30–40 min | Climb, about 200 stairs, Horseshoe Falls |
| Horseshoe Falls to Lady Barron Falls | About 2.5 km | 50–70 min | Forest, 239 steps, Lady Barron Falls |
| Lady Barron Falls to visitor centre | About 3.5 km | 60–80 min | Tall Trees Walk, swamp gums, return to centre |
Leg distances are approximate; the total is 7.5 km. Times assume steady walking with short stops.
When to go
The track is open year-round, but the weather decides how good it is. Spring and autumn give the most stable conditions and the strongest flow at all three falls. Summer is the busiest period, and the car park fills by mid-morning on weekends and public holidays.
Winter brings snow on the higher ground and ice on the boardwalks. The circuit stays walkable in many winters, but check conditions with the visitor centre before setting out, and turn back if the weather closes in. Rain is possible in any month: the park sits in Tasmania's wetter west, and the boardwalks get slippery within minutes of a shower.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation inside the lower section of the park, so most walkers base themselves in New Norfolk, about 30–40 minutes away by road, or in Hobart, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes away. New Norfolk has motels, pubs with rooms and caravan parks; Hobart gives you far more choice and works if you are combining the falls with a wider Tasmanian trip.
Camping inside the park is limited to the upper, alpine section around Lake Dobson, reached by a separate road. If you want to stay close to the falls, book New Norfolk ahead in summer and on long weekends.
- New Norfolk: 30–40 minutes by road, motels and caravan parks
- Hobart: about 1 hour 15 minutes, widest range of accommodation
- Lake Dobson: alpine camping in the upper park, separate road, check conditions
Before you go
Wear shoes with grip. The circuit is mostly boardwalk and formed track, but wet timber is slick, and the stairs near Horseshoe Falls and east of Lady Barron Falls are the two places where most slips happen. Carry a rain jacket even when the forecast looks clear, and a warm layer: the temperature drops under the forest canopy and can fall sharply if the weather turns.
Bring water and a snack. There is no shop on the track, and the visitor centre is the only place to buy food or fill a bottle. A park pass is required for vehicles entering Mount Field National Park; buy it online or at the visitor centre before you park. Mobile coverage is patchy once you leave the visitor centre, so download an offline map or take a paper one.
Tell someone your plan if you are walking late in the day. The track is well marked and busy in daylight, but daylight in Tasmania fades quickly outside summer, and the last section back through the tall trees is dim under the canopy.
- Shoes with grip for wet boardwalks
- Rain jacket and a warm layer, any month
- Water and food; nothing on the track
- Vehicle park pass, bought before you park
- Offline map; coverage is patchy
Questions people ask
How long does Three Falls Circuit take?
Most walkers finish the 7.5 km loop in 2.5–4 hours. Add time for the Tall Trees Walk and for photos at Russell Falls. The track is grade 3, so it suits anyone comfortable with a few hours of walking and two sets of stairs.
When is the best time to do Three Falls Circuit?
Spring and autumn (roughly October–November and March–April) give stable weather and good water flow. Summer is busiest and the car park fills early. Winter can bring snow and ice on the boardwalks; check conditions at the visitor centre first.
Where should I stay along Three Falls Circuit?
There is no lodging in the lower park. New Norfolk is 30–40 minutes away and has motels and caravan parks; Hobart is about 1 hour 15 minutes and offers far more choice. Alpine camping exists at Lake Dobson in the upper park.
Which direction should I walk the circuit?
Clockwise, starting at Russell Falls. You reach the busiest waterfall before the crowds build, and the Tall Trees Walk falls on the return leg when you are already warmed up.
Do I need a park pass?
Yes, vehicles entering Mount Field National Park need a Tasmanian national park pass. Buy it online or at the visitor centre before you park.
Is the circuit suitable for children?
Generally yes, for children used to walking a few hours. The stairs near Horseshoe Falls and east of Lady Barron Falls are the hard parts. Boardwalks are slippery when wet, so keep hold of younger children on those sections.
Deep dive
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