About Waratah Falls
Waratah Falls was the feature waterfall in the town of Waratah, which was built right above its brink in an area said to have one of the wettest and coldest climates in Tasmania.
So perhaps it shouldn’t have been so surprising to Julie and I that we saw the waterfall flowing as well as it did on both of our visits – once in late November 2006 and then in early December 2017.
During our visits, we also saw a relic of the Dudley Kenworthy waterwheel just upstream from the waterfall.
From an interpretive sign, we read that this was the site of first industrial use of hydroelectric power in Australia in 1883.
It followed after the town was renamed from Mount Bischoff to Waratah.
Power from the Waratah River was used to free up tin ore from its host rock while also incidentally providing street and building lighting in town.
We managed to experience the waterfall in two different ways.
Experiencing Waratah Falls from a lookout west of the Waratah River
The first and easiest way was from an overlook on Main Street west of the Waratah River, where we got the view you see pictured above.
From this vantage point, we were able to have a sweeping view of the waterfall plunging over a basalt face backed by the town itself perched atop the cliffs.
In each of our visits, we happened to see blooming wildflowers lining the foreground.
We also noticed that there was what appeared to be a track that descended to the bottom of the falls on the opposite cliff across the river.
Experiencing Waratah Falls from its base
The observation of there being a track going to the base of Waratah Falls led us to this second way we experienced this waterfall.
We were able to access the base of the waterfall after driving about 600m to the park by Annie Street then doing about a 400m walk.
Along the track, I took the signed spur path to the left after 130m or so (going away from what appeared to be some kind of power substation behind fencing further on).
Then, the gravel track descended amongst wildflowers and shrubs (some were carrying berries) before arriving at the rocky and misty bottom of the falls.
Keeping to the hydroelectric theme, I noticed a floodlight pole pointed right at the waterfall so I’d imagine that it would be floodlit at night.
After having my fill of the bottom of Waratah Falls, I then walked back up to the parked car.
During the ascent, I noticed a denuded mountain back across the river further downstream.
I’d imagine that scar in the landscape was Mt Bischoff along with the Mt Bischoff mine.
When I got back to the car, I had only spent about 20 minutes away from it.
Authorities
Waratah Falls resides in the town of Waratah, Tasmania. It is administered by the Waratah-Wynyard Council. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page.
Related Trip Reports
Related Top 10 Lists
No Posts Found
Related Itineraries
Trip Planning Resources
Nearby Accommodations
This content is for subscribers only. See Membership Options.Featured Images and Nearby Attractions
This content is for subscribers only. See Membership Options.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
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...No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall
Nearest Waterfalls
