Adams Falls (3km)

Adams Falls is a large waterfall flowing on Adams River that cascades into Lake Gordon at Adams Bay. Access is by either kayak or from Clear Hill Road which is Forestry Tasmania Road and is unsigned. A boom gate at the start of the track may be locked and may require a key for a refundable deposit though Mt Field National Park visitor centre. Adams Falls is little known and rarely visited making it a hidden gem.

There are two ways to view the falls. The shortest and most obvious route starts beside the bridge over the Adams River on the right side (looking downstream) and takes you to a precarious clifftop overlook above the falls after about a 100 metre walk, which provides a slightly obstructed view of the falls and the river winding its way into Lake Gordon below.

A far better view can be obtained by getting to the base of the falls, although this involves a longer and more difficult hike. Drive a couple hundred metres up the road from the bridge, until you come to a quarry on the left. Park here, and begin hiking up the track to the left side, continuing onto an old 4WD track once you reach the top of the quarry. Follow this track for a little while, then head to the right and begin descending through the forest to the lake. Most of the hike down is relatively easy by the standards of off track hiking, with the slope being fairly shallow and the scrub not too thick.

Once you reach the lake shore head around into the inlet containing the falls, negotiating a number of obstacles, mostly slippery fallen trees. The final part of the hike is probably the hardest section, as you have to climb the large, slippery boulders around the western edge of the river, which depending on the water level may involve some wading through the powerful river itself. The effort is well worth it though, and Adams Falls makes for a spectacular sight, crashing 40 metres over a single drop before continuing over some bouldery cascades towards Lake Gordon.