Hike at a glance

5,598

Quick overview: Discover the highest waterfalls in Tasmania on the 11.5km Montezuma Falls hiking trail, located in the West Coast Range, just 8km from the town of Rosebery. This Grade 3 (Moderate) return hike takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete, starting and ending at Montezuma Falls Carpark. The track takes you through stunning park-like rainforest, home to diverse bird species and eye-catching fungi. The trail, originally a tram path, is reasonably flat and manageable. Once reached, the falls offer breathtaking views from the base or the swing bridge, making it a worthy day trip if you're around Cradle Mountain or Strahan/Queenstown.

Hike length

11.5km

Average duration

2.5 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Hike Type

Return

Technical details

Max elevation: 349m
Min elevation: 261m
Total Ascent: 958m

Start: Montezuma Falls Carpark

End: Montezuma Falls Carpark

Location: West Coast Range

State: Tasmania

Nearest town: Rosebery (8km)

State capital distance: 320km

Latitude: -41.82998506611762

Longitude: 145.50246834754947

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

This hike is classified as Grade 3 (Moderate) primarily due to its distance exceeding 10km. The terrain itself is relatively easy and suitable for most abilities. However, the longer distance requires some stamina. Feel free to turn back at any point for a shorter adventure.

Hike summary

The Montezuma Falls are the highest in Tasmania and are truly spectacular and well worth the visit. They are certainly amongst the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia. The walk is along a path originally used for trams, and is therefore pretty well flat and an easy grade. The bush is very beautiful as well.

Walking from Williamsford, the track is almost entirely through pleasant and open park-like rainforest. This includes leatherwood, myrtle, sassafras, giant tree ferns and eye-catching fungi.

You're sure to get close to several different birds along the way, notably White's thrush, which is a medium-sized and speckled brown and white ground dwelling bird. It forages quietly on the rainforest floor and, when disturbed, flies only a short distance before settling again, enabling you to get a second look.

When you arrive at the falls there is a short track to the left to view the base, or you can take the swing bridge. Both viewpoints are worth taking and provide spectacular views. Once you have finished gasping at the falls, return along the same way you came.

If you are in the area you should not miss these falls. They are well worth travelling to as a day trip from Cradle Mountain or Strahan/Queenstown.

Additional Information:

A 1890 mineral survey showed the falls marked as Osbourne Falls. Montezuma was the name of the last Aztec emperor of Mexico (1466-1520). In Tasmania, his name appears to have originally been applied to a mining company — the Montezuma Silver Mining Company, which was formed in 1891 and held leases on the northern slopes of Mount Dundas.

The creek immediately below the falls was once spanned by a wooden trestle bridge that was 160 ft. long and 50 ft. high and took five months to build. Today derelict pieces of timber, moss-covered concrete piers and rusty bolts are the only remains of this bridge.

The North East Dundas Tramway that ran from Zeehan to Deep Lead (now Williamsford) was constructed to facilitate access to mining sites in the Mount Dundas and Mount Read areas.

Surveying of the line commenced in 1895, and the ceremony to mark the 'turning of the first sod’ was performed on 17 January 1896 before a crowd of 500 people. By January 1897 the first five miles of the line were in use and the official opening of the line through to Williamford was held in June 1898.

The gauge was 2 ft., which was a relatively narrow gauge and explains why the line was known as a tramway rather than a railway. The narrowness of the gauge was chosen to suit the winding hillsides and also to assist in lowering the cost of construction.

The line continued to operate infrequently until 1925 and was officially closed on 4 July 1932 and the rails were removed in the early 1940s.

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

Bring a rain jacket, as the spray from the falls is considerable.
Try time it for a rainy day, it is worth it.

Map and GPX file

Montezuma Falls Hike (11.5km)

Total distance: 11956 m
Max elevation: 349 m
Min elevation: 261 m
Total climbing: 958 m
Total descent: -966 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Free checklists

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 there

West Coast Range

From Queenstown head north on A10 towards Rosebery for roughly 50km. A couple of km before Rosebery take the right turn to Williamsford, Montezuma Falls is sign posted here. Follow this road for roughly 6km to reach the carpark. The road is mostly gravel.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

Find Accommodation

Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan, Tullah, Zeehan

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

West Coast Range

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

Trail Reviews

9 Reviews on “Montezuma Falls Hike (11.5km)”

Overall rating

Dougal Sanderson

I went there after a heavy rainstorm. The amount of water and noise was incredible.

01/05/2026, 11:30

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Karen Jane Hawkins

It’s a wonderful walk. I even tripped up myself on a stick. Doh. Easiest track ever !! How embarrassing

01/05/2026, 10:56

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1. Trail Hiking Australia
  
  Karen Jane Hawkins oops. Glad you survived
  
  01/05/2026, 10:59
  
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  1. Karen Jane Hawkins
    
    Trail Hiking Australia ha ha. Not a chopper incident.
    
    01/05/2026, 12:53
    
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  2. Karen Jane Hawkins
    
    Trail Hiking Australia ha ha
    
    01/05/2026, 13:49
    
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Darren Edwards

Really enjoyed this walk.

01/05/2026, 09:28

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Acknowledgement of Country

Montezuma falls hike (11. 5km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a glance

Technical details

Trail details

Hike summary

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Planning essentials

Map and GPX file

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Let someone know

Free checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

Discover more

About the region

Explore nearby hikes

Montezuma Falls Walking Track (18.6km)

Rawlinson Falls Hike (18km)

Stitt Falls Walk (200 m)

Montezuma Falls Rail Trail Walk (19.5km)

Photo gallery

Weather on the trail

Trail Reviews

9 Reviews on “Montezuma Falls Hike (11.5km)”

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Notice something different about this trail?

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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