Pelverata Falls

Snug Tiers / Huonville, Tasmania, Australia

About Pelverata Falls

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Pelverata Falls was an attractively tall waterfall that was said to be 114m tall on the Pelverata Creek.

The main drop didn’t look to be that tall, but the overall height figure might have included the cascading tiers further downstream as the creek raced to the bottom of the steep ravine before eventually draining into the Huon River.

Pelverata_Falls_17_075_11262017 - Pelverata Falls
Pelverata Falls

I must have been lucky on both of my visits to be seeing this waterfall flowing (especially on my second visit, whose state you can see pictured above).

That’s because I’ve been told that this falls tended to not have a long life without significant rains replenishing its creek.

On my first visit in late November 2006, the falls had a more diminished flow as much of Southeastern Australia (Tasmania included) went through a nearly decade-long drought.

Yet, it was still flowing!

Pelverata_Falls_015_11222006 - Pelverata Falls as seen during my first visit in November 2006
Pelverata Falls as seen during my first visit in November 2006

On my second visit, I was told that this waterfall had been running dry until a series of strong storms hit Tasmania and Southeastern Australia during our return visit to Tasmania in November 2017.

Slippery Falls

Adding to the scenic allure of Pelverata Falls was that the same excursion yielded a second waterfall sighting.

This other waterfall was on Slippery Creek, which was aptly called Slippery Falls.

The cascading falls tumbled on the opposite side at the head of the gorge containing both Pelverata and Slippery Creeks.

Pelverata_Falls_17_052_11262017 - This was Slippery Falls, which I'd caution against making the mistake of thinking this was the Pelverata Falls
This was Slippery Falls, which I’d caution against making the mistake of thinking this was the Pelverata Falls

Even though I was only able to get a distant look at it, a good zoom could bring it closer.

Perhaps the only trick about this additional waterfall was to not make the mistake of thinking it was the Pelverata Falls and prematurely turn back (which I almost did the first time I came here).

In any case, given all these impressions, I tended to think of Pelverata Falls excursion as one of Tasmania’s more rewarding ones despite its apparent need for a little luck and good timing.

Hiking to Pelverata Falls

Although Pelverata and Slippery Falls were within about an hour drive from Hobart, this was one waterfalling excursion where I had to earn a viewing for.

Pelverata_Falls_17_006_11262017 - Briefly hiking through a forested path near the start of the track en route to Pelverata Falls
Briefly hiking through a forested path near the start of the track en route to Pelverata Falls

It involved hiking around a private farm before entering a pocket of native old growth forest, then it climbed steeply on rocky terrain before descending steeply to the overlook yielding the view you see pictured at the top of this page.

In each of the times I’ve done this hike, it took me between 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the roughly 6km round trip distance.

That said, there was definitely plenty of time for solitude and tranquility as it didn’t seem like this track saw a lot of visitors.

Indeed, in the two times I’ve done this hike, I only saw one other visitor who was a local going for a morning walk with her dogs.

Pelverata_Falls_035_11222006 - Looking back at the context of the Pelverata Falls Track with a private farm way in the distance as seen during my November 2006 visit
Looking back at the context of the Pelverata Falls Track with a private farm way in the distance as seen during my November 2006 visit

The rest of the time, I was completely alone.

Pelverata Falls Trail Description – skirting private property and passing through native bush

Immediately from the car park (which can be muddy as it was when I did this hike the second time after a rain storm), the track started off wide and pretty open as it skirted the boundaries of a private farm.

For the most part, the track typically was shaded by trees on at least one side since it was practically at the edges of the Snug Tiers Nature Recreation Area.

Signs were set up at each fork or trail junction to keep hikers on the path and out of the private property.

Pelverata_Falls_17_132_11262017 - The Pelverata Falls Track skirts private property per this fence
The Pelverata Falls Track skirts private property per this fence

After about 1.3km from the trailhead, I encountered a sign pointing to my right as the Pelverata Falls Track now started to leave the open fields of the farmlands and into the more fitting old growth forest of the Snug Tiers.

At that point, the trail narrowed even more with some slight overgrowth much of the way.

It was in this stretch that the area seemed like it was full of startled wallabies.

After all, I’d hear frantic rustlings in the thick bush upon my approach (they definitely knew about me coming long before I knew about the wallabies’ presence).

Pelverata_Falls_17_021_11262017 - Signed turnoff directing the Pelverata Falls Track deeper into the native bushlands beyond the boundaries of the neighbouring private pasture
Signed turnoff directing the Pelverata Falls Track deeper into the native bushlands beyond the boundaries of the neighbouring private pasture

In any case, the well-shaded forest walk continued gently climbing for the next 1.5km or so.

Eventually, the track started to climb more steeply on rocky terrain while the Pelverata Creek was more audible and close by.

Pelverata Falls Trail Description – rougher loose rock and the elusive lookout

The Pelverata Falls Track transitioned from narrow dirt into loose rocks.

Thus, the hike became even more rugged as there would be dropoffs on one side and I’d never be completely certain about how stable the loose rocks were on the track.

Pelverata_Falls_17_040_11262017 - Traversing a very loose and rocky section of the Pelverata Falls Track as it became increasingly rougher the closer to the falls I got
Traversing a very loose and rocky section of the Pelverata Falls Track as it became increasingly rougher the closer to the falls I got

It was also in this stretch of track that Slippery Falls started to come into view in the distance.

Given the rough nature of this part of the hike, it was easy to think that Slippery Falls was the Pelverata Falls, and then turn back prematurely.

Don’t make that mistake!

So I kept persisting on the rocky part of the track as I even encountered one fairly non-trivial scramble where I had to climb a small rock face as the track was severely eroded.

Pelverata_Falls_17_125_11262017 - Looking back down at a fairly steep and dicey rock scramble where the orange arrow on the tree at the topright of this photo helped provide me the hint I needed to know that I was going the right way to Pelverata Falls
Looking back down at a fairly steep and dicey rock scramble where the orange arrow on the tree at the topright of this photo helped provide me the hint I needed to know that I was going the right way to Pelverata Falls

There was an orange arrow put on a tree up above that assured me that I was not only going the right way, but it provided the hint I needed to know where to go next.

Beyond the orange arrow, the views of Slippery Falls continued to improve.

Shortly after that, the track then started descending steeply just as I was starting to hear the sounds of falling water from Pelverata Creek.

After about 125m of the steep descent, I reached the familiar lookout platform with the view up towards the Pelverata Falls.

Pelverata_Falls_17_070_11262017 - Finally making it to the lookout platform for Pelverata Falls
Finally making it to the lookout platform for Pelverata Falls

I was told that it was possible to continue the descent towards Pelverata Creek, but I didn’t bother as the sanctioned track was already rough enough.

In any case, the lookout platform allowed me to better appreciate the cliffs supporting the tall waterfall, but I was also too far up the gorge to see Slippery Falls anymore.

Since the falls was facing west, it might be better seen in the afternoon if it was sunny.

However, since I came early enough in the morning on each of my visits, the sun either didn’t penetrate through clouds or it still hadn’t breached high cliffs flanking the falls.

Pelverata_Falls_17_130_11262017 - Back within the bushland terrain after traversing through the loose rock section and approaching the private pastures en route to the Pelverata Falls Trailhead
Back within the bushland terrain after traversing through the loose rock section and approaching the private pastures en route to the Pelverata Falls Trailhead

After having my fill of the Pelverata Falls, I then climbed back up to the rocky part of the track.

After some tricky scrambling past the rock obstacles by the orange arrow, the rest of the hike was a straightforward downhill hike all the way back to the car park.

Authorities

Pelverata Falls resided in the Huon Valley near Hobart, Tasmania. It is administered by the Huon Valley Council. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: huonville, snug tiers, hobart, pelverata, hobart, tasmania, waterfall, kingborough, huon valley



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

Pelverata and Snug Falls May 2, 2016 11:58 pm by Caedence Kuepper - A couple of pictures from Snug and Pelverata Falls in Tasmania after some good rain. Both falls were spectacular, especially Pelverata. I have visited both of these falls many times, but never with this much water flowing. ...Read More
Pelverata Falls in Trouble January 6, 2010 10:20 pm by Aradia - They are beautiful but Gunns want to log and clearfell around the falls and over the track - STOP THEM ...Read More

Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.