Nelson Falls
Nelson Falls (photograph: Craig Vertigan)
60 Great Short Walks

Nelson Falls

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Alerts for Nelson Falls

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Planned burn: Birches River, Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Applies from 12/6/2025

​Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Birches River in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) on 12 June 2025.

Fire is an important part of sustaining the ecology of and protecting values in the TWWHA. 

The total area of the burns is approximately 384 hectares. It is likely to take 1-2 days to complete. Smoke may last for some days after the burn.

During burning operations access to this area will be restricted. Stay well out of the burn site. Please follow directions from staff or any signs.

More information is available by contacting Lake St Clair Visitor Centre on 03 6289 1115​.

View our webpage ​more information about our planned burns program.​

Last reviewed 11/6/2025 04:05 PM


20 minutes return, 1.4km return
Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them.
Supervise children. Beware of flowing waters.
A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.

About

​A delightful short walk from the Lyell Highway—the last between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown—takes visitors alongside a burbling river to a beautiful set of falls. The mossy forest, featuring sassafras, myrtle and a variety of ferns, gives hints of the high rainfall in this area. These falls are always a wonderful sight, but can be a spectacularly roaring torrent after heavy rain. Return via the same track.

Along the boardwalk to Nelson Falls you will come across interpretation panels highlighting the ancient plants you see along the way, including at least seven species of fern. These interpretation panels will take you on a journey back in time to when Tasmania was a part of the great supercontinent of Gondwana.

Among the forest trees you will discover an​​cient species that once dominated the Australian landmass, but are now confined to the wetter regions of Tasmania and south-east and eastern mainland Australia. Many of the species of these cool temperate rainforests are only suited to the cool, moist conditions of places such as the Nelson Valley.​