Liffey Falls is a beautiful and accessible hike in Tasmania's Liffey Falls Reserve. The 2.1km, grade 2 track takes around 1 hour to complete and offers stunning views of tiered cascades nestled within cool temperate rainforest.
The hike begins amidst the towering Great Western Tiers, a mountain range known for its rugged beauty. As you make your way along the well-maintained path from the top car park (picnic facilities available), you'll be surrounded by towering eucalypts, magnificent tree ferns, and a variety of rainforest trees like myrtle, sassafras, and leatherwood. Keep your eyes peeled for native birds like the pink robin, green rosellas, and superb fairy-wrens.
The highlight of the walk is undoubtedly the Liffey Falls themselves. This series of four cascades, starting with Alexandra Falls, Hopetoun Falls, Albert Falls, and culminating in the grand Victoria Falls (commonly known as Liffey Falls), tumbles down over sandstone steps sculpted by the Liffey River. Viewing platforms along the track provide perfect spots to capture the beauty of the falls on camera.
Interestingly, there's another walking track accessible from the lower car park. This path is longer and less developed but offers a different perspective of the rainforest. Whichever track you choose, both will lead you through a magical world of lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls.
Beyond Liffey Falls, the area offers further opportunities for exploration. Visit the Liffey River Reserve, a protected area rich in diverse plant life, or venture to Oura Oura Reserve, where you can see the historic white cottage beneath Dry's Bluff – once the home of environmental leader Bob Brown.
Highlights
Water collected on the Great Western Tiers washes into the Liffey River. As it rushes downslope it erodes away the softer mudstone sediments exposing sandstone steps. These give rise to a series of waterfalls culminating in Liffey Falls.
The exposed sandstone was laid down over 250 million years ago when this region lay further south, covered by sea and ice. As icebergs melted, rocks were freed and plunged as 'dropstones' into the marine sediments below. These embedded dropstones, which are paler, roundish and flattened in shape, can be seen in the river along the track to Liffey Falls. Made of quartzite, these dropstones may have come from as far away as Cradle Mountain! Also embedded in the rocks exposed by the erosive force of the Liffey River are tiny marine fossils.
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â
A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the
AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.
- No Parks Pass is required to visit Liffey Falls State Reserve.
- The top car park via Riversdale Road is day use area only. Riversdale Road is an unsealed, narrow, winding road and is not accessible by buses, trailers or vans.
- Free camping is available at the lower car park via Gulf Road. The Liffey Falls camping area is best accessed from the township of Liffey if you are driving a larger vehicle such as a motorhome or campervan.
- The reserve is within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Free gas BBQs are provided at the Upper Liffey Falls day use area. Campfires are only permitted within the designated fireplaces at the Lower Liffey Falls camping area.
- Dogs and bikes are not permitted on the trails.
Total distance: 1716 m
Max elevation: 562 m
Min elevation: 493 m
Total climbing: 84 m
Total descent: -85 m
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Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Liffey Falls Reserve.
Upper car park:Â From Deloraine or Great Lake take the Highland Lakes Rd (A5) then turn off at the signpost onto Riversdale Rd (C513). Riverdale Road is unsuitable for larger vehicles including buses, caravans and motorhomes.
Lower car park and campground:Â Best accessed via Liffey township on Gulf Rd (which is also C513). This access is suitable for larger vehicles.
The gravel road leading to Liffey Falls is steep and winding, with several sharp bends. The roads are used by logging trucks, take care and keep to the left on the road. ​Where possible, avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Just a one-hour drive from Launceston, Liffey Falls State Reserve offers a chance to immerse yourself in Tasmania's cool temperate rainforest. The star attraction is undoubtedly Liffey Falls, but the reserve boasts much more, including towering trees, diverse wildlife, and a network of walking tracks.
The reserve caters to various levels of accessibility. The upper car park provides a convenient starting point for the Liffey Falls Great Short Walk. This well-maintained track leads you directly to the falls and is perfect for a quick nature fix. The upper car park also offers amenities like shelters, information boards, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.
For those seeking a slightly longer walk or a different perspective, the lower car park offers another access point. While the track may be less developed, it still winds through the beautiful rainforest and leads to the same magnificent falls. Keep in mind that the access road to the upper car park is not suitable for larger vehicles like campervans, buses, or caravans. Visitors arriving in these modes will need to begin their walk at the lower car park.
Image: Bernie Woods, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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