Ralphs Falls

Mt Victoria Forest Reserve / Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia

About Ralphs Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Ralphs Falls was a very tall but thin waterfall dropping 100m over a rugged cliff facing a wide open expanse of farmlands belonging to the community of Ringarooma.

We were able to take in the falls as well as the panorama from the so-called Norm’s Lookout.

Ralphs_Falls_17_047_11242017 - Ralphs Falls
Ralphs Falls

We also could have done a longer loop walk that took in the Cashs Gorge and waterfall on the New River.

However, in both the times we’ve visited this place (in late November 2006 and in late November 2017), we didn’t do the longer excursion.

The unnamed creek that Ralphs Falls was on drained a catchment on the Mt Victoria Forest Reserve.

It seemed substantial enough to allow this waterfall to flow more or less reliably.

Ralphs_Falls_010_11242006 - Looking towards Ringarooma from Norm's Lookout at Ralphs Falls
Looking towards Ringarooma from Norm’s Lookout at Ralphs Falls

Of course, it would be more impressive with more water volume under heavier rainfall period, but that didn’t occur on either of our visits.

Experiencing Ralphs Falls

From the car park and shelter (see directions below), we took a short 600m track through myrtle rainforest.

The track was gently downhill throughout the forested stretch where moss-covered tree trunks and ferns dominated the scene.

We also spotted wiry waratahs in bloom as well as eccentric tiny worms hanging from their own silk threads.

Ralphs_Falls_17_005_11242017 - Looking across the road from the Ralphs Falls Track towards this shelter
Looking across the road from the Ralphs Falls Track towards this shelter

After passing by a trail junction (where the other track connected with the rest of the Cashs Gorge Circuit), we arrived at the dead-end on Norm’s Lookout.

This yielded expansive views towards Ringarooma as well as the Ralphs Falls itself.

There was a dry creek to its right of the falls, which might support a companion waterfall under wetter times, but it didn’t flow in either of our visits here.

Changes to the Ralphs Falls Experience

In comparing our photos taken from our second visit and our first visit, it appeared that Norm’s Lookout was in a different spot than before.

Ralphs_Falls_17_052_11242017 - Context of Julie at the lookout with Ralphs Falls as seen during our visit in November 2017
Context of Julie at the lookout with Ralphs Falls as seen during our visit in November 2017

We suspected that this was the case when it appeared that we had a more direct and full on view of Ralphs Falls back then.

Even some of the lower tiers of the falls were revealed on our prior visit in November 2006.

However, in our more recent photos, the bottom sections of the falls could not be seen.

Moreover, the signage for Norm’s Lookout was set on a rock before the lookout platform itself as opposed to on the fencing of the platform like before.

Ralphs_Falls_018_11242006 - Direct look at Ralphs Falls from our first visit in November 2006, which no longer appeared to be possible with the location of the lookout in November 2017
Direct look at Ralphs Falls from our first visit in November 2006, which no longer appeared to be possible with the location of the lookout in November 2017

In addition, there was anecdotal evidence of storms causing damage to both the track and the lookout.

So all things considered, it may no longer be safe to get the full view of the falls like we were able to on our first visit (as shown above).

Overall, Julie and I did this 1.2km return track in between 20-40 minutes.

Had we devoted the time to extend our visit and do the Cashs Gorge, we would have added another 50 minutes to the overall time spent here.

Ralphs_Falls_004_11242006 - Context of Norm's Lookout back when we first showed up in November 2006. This sign was no longer at the lookout itself during our November 2017 visit
Context of Norm’s Lookout back when we first showed up in November 2006. This sign was no longer at the lookout itself during our November 2017 visit

Maybe next time, we’ll be sure to fully explore all that this place has to offer.

Authorities

Ralphs Falls resides in the Ralphs Falls Reserve near St Helens, Tasmania. It is administered by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: mt victoria, dorset, ringarooma, st helens, launceston, northeast, tasmania, australia, waterfall, fingal, bass



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The Ralph’s Falls adventure April 19, 2015 1:18 am by Caedence Kuepper - This was one waterfall that I was very relieved to get to, especially seeing as just about everything seemed to be conspiring to keep us from reaching our destination. Let me explain why: We had originally planned on visiting these falls, and then visit St Columba Falls afterwords. We found the narrow turn-off road towards… ...Read More

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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.
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