Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls

Mt Field National Park / New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia

About Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Russell Falls could very well be our favourite waterfall in Tasmania.

It was certainly the best known and most popular waterfall that we had visited in the state.

Russell_Falls_099_11282006 - The impressive but now-forbidden Upper Russell Falls from our first trip in November 2006 seen late in the afternoon when the sun was no longer a problem for long exposure photographs like this
The impressive but now-forbidden Upper Russell Falls from our first trip in November 2006 seen late in the afternoon when the sun was no longer a problem for long exposure photographs like this

In fact it had been said that it was often a contest between this waterfall and Liffey Falls for the title of Tasmania’s most beautiful waterfall.

That said, we tend to favour Russell Falls given our somewhat suboptimal experiences at Liffey Falls.

In any case, what made this waterfall stand out to us was its character.

As you can see from the photo immediately below, it actually consisted of two main drops.

Russell_Falls_17_041_11272017 - Russell Falls from the main lookout during our late November 2017 visit
Russell Falls from the main lookout during our late November 2017 visit

However, it was the satisfyingly segmented and vertical appearance along with its size that really drew the camera clicks from us.

And it wasn’t only us, because we noticed that just about every other visitor who shared the experience at the Russell Falls did the same.

This waterfall was the centrepiece of Mt Field National Park, which was said to be Tasmania’s first national park.

It was also part of the greater Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area which dominated much of the southern and western sections of the island state.

Hiking to Russell Falls

Russell_Falls_001_11282006 - Julie on the wheelchair-friendly Russell Falls Track, which was only 10 minutes walk when we first did it back in November 2006
Julie on the wheelchair-friendly Russell Falls Track, which was only 10 minutes walk when we first did it back in November 2006

From the large car park (see directions below), we paid the national park fee at the visitor centre then proceeded behind the building.

As we left the building, we then went onto the short 1.4km (about 700m on the way there) well-developed loop track to the base of the falls.

On our first visit, we took the slightly shorter wheelchair accessible path on the left side of the loop.

On our second visit, the wheelchair path was closed for some trail work so we kept right, which was slightly longer.

Russell_Falls_17_017_11272017 - Julie on the longer non-wheelchair path during our late November 2017 visit
Julie on the longer non-wheelchair path during our late November 2017 visit

Once at the main lookout at the base of the falls, I took advantage of the solid railings to take the long exposure photographs that most of the postcards would show of this falls.

Russell Falls Trail Description – going above Russell Falls

After having our fill of the main lookout, we the proceeded onto the track climbing up to the top of Russell Falls.

Note that the main track bypassed the short spur path to an alternate overlook that was very overgrown and no longer sanctioned.

The rock-stepped track initially ascended a couple of switchbacks before it started ascending wooden steps.

Russell_Falls_17_066_11272017 - Approaching the steps climbing above the Russell Falls (concealing the old use-trail to the base of the Russell Fall's upper drop), and headed towards the Horseshoe Falls during our late November 2017 visit
Approaching the steps climbing above the Russell Falls (concealing the old use-trail to the base of the Russell Fall’s upper drop), and headed towards the Horseshoe Falls during our late November 2017 visit

These steps concealed the old unofficial but well-used track leading to the top of the lower drop.

That was where it was possible to be face-to-face with the hidden block-shaped Upper Falls after scrambling towards the middle of Russell Falls’ Creek.

However, given the amount of erosion and cliff-exposure on the way to the ledge between the two tiers of the falls, I could totally see why the authorities closed off this path.

As a matter of fact, the revegetation that was naturally occurring from the relative lack of foot traffic would further help stabilize the soil.

Russell_Falls_17_126_11272017 - Looking over the brink of Russell Falls during our late November 2017 visit
Looking over the brink of Russell Falls during our late November 2017 visit

The steps continued to climb steeply as it eventually reached the very top of Russell Falls after nearly 300m from the lower lookout.

From this vantage point, we were able to enjoy the precipitous views over the top of the falls towards the treetops well below us.

Continuing further upstream for another 100m or so (going past a footbridge) led us to the shorter but wide Horseshoe Falls.

Russell Falls Trail Description – beyond Horseshoe Falls

In case you’re wondering, the track that continued on the other side of the bridge over the creek went to the Tall Trees Walk in another 15 minutes.

Russell_Falls_017_11282006 - Approaching the peaceful Horseshoe Falls, which was just upstream from Russell Falls
Approaching the peaceful Horseshoe Falls, which was just upstream from Russell Falls

It eventually went to the trailhead for Lady Barron Falls in another 50 minutes.

We have a separate writeup for the Lady Barron Falls since it was possible to drive up to a different car park for the Tall Trees Walk.

Doing the excursion that way would significantly reduce the amount of hiking.

That said, I thought it was certainly worthwhile to extend the current walk to take it all in and make it a solid half-day of walking before returning to the visitor centre.

Russell_Falls_047_11282006 - Between Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls was the Tall Trees Walk, which featured very tall gum trees like this one
Between Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls was the Tall Trees Walk, which featured very tall gum trees like this one

Overall, Julie and I spent on the order of an hour to take in both the Horseshoe Falls and Russell Falls.

It might take half that time if we only did the base of Russell Falls before turning back.

Best Time of Day for photographing Russell Falls

Finally, given the photogenic nature of Russell Falls, we do have to mention that we actually showed up to the falls multiple times strictly for photography reasons.

We visited the falls twice during our first visit back in late November 2006 on a sunny afternoon.

Russell_Falls_115_11282006 - On our first visit in late Novenmber 2006, I had to wait until late in the day before Russell Falls could be photographed in long exposure and the bright spots further above no longer became a problem
On our first visit in late Novenmber 2006, I had to wait until late in the day before Russell Falls could be photographed in long exposure and the bright spots further above no longer became a problem

Earlier that afternoon, there were shadows and high-contrast spots as a result of the sunlight.

So we actually had to come back later towards sunset when the shadows were long enough to keep all the lighting of the falls more or less uniform.

On a more recent visit in late November 2017, there was enough cloud cover to maintain even lighting.

That said, we showed up from mid-morning to around high noon, which might not have been the best times for photographing Russell Falls.

Authorities

Russell Falls resides in the Mt Field National Park near Hobart, 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 field, derwent valley, tasmania, australia, waterfall, glow worms, new norfolk, tall trees, horseshoe falls



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Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

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Tasmanian waterfall videos August 22, 2015 11:34 pm by Caedence Kuepper - Hi guys, just thought I'd share some links to three youtube videos I compiled from the waterfalls I've seen around Tasmania: ...Read More
Looking beyond Russell (Russell Falls) August 3, 2008 9:53 am by Ian Smith - I wonder how many "Horseshoe Falls" there are in the world? I've certainly seen a few and here is another to add to your collection. Once you've admired Tasmania's most famous waterfall, Russell Falls, there's a track off to the right that takes you uphill. It ultimately goes to Lady Barron Falls but, en route… ...Read More

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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.
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