Where a Forested Gully Drops to Marriotts Falls

Overview

Marriotts Falls State Reserve is a compact protected area in southern Tasmania, west of Hobart near the Mount Field and Tyenna district. It covers about 121 hectares and was first set aside as a scenery reserve in 1921, protecting the bushland around the falls and the steep gully that carries the creek through the reserve.

Though small beside nearby larger reserves, this is a place valued for its scenic and natural character. Its appeal comes from the way the waterfall, creekline and enclosed forest combine into a distinctly cool, shaded pocket of country.

Highlights

The defining feature here is Marriotts Falls itself, set within a narrow, deeply wooded gully. The reserve’s scenery is shaped by the contrast between flowing water, rock faces and dense forest, giving the falls a more enclosed and intimate feel than many of Tasmania’s broader mountain landscapes.

Because the reserve protects the immediate catchment around the falls rather than a wide sweep of country, the landscape feels concentrated and self-contained. That close focus is a big part of its character.

Best Time to Visit

Marriotts Falls can be rewarding at any time of year, but it tends to feel at its best in the wetter, cooler months when the creek and surrounding forest are at their freshest. Summer brings longer daylight and usually easier walking weather, while autumn and winter often suit anyone who enjoys richer water flow and the damp, shaded atmosphere that gives the reserve much of its character.

Plants and Animals

The reserve exists to protect important natural values within a relatively small area, and the sheltered gully around the falls supports the kind of lush forest growth that suits wet southern Tasmanian conditions. The wider management area that includes this reserve supports a rich mix of native animals, from frogs and skinks to forest birds and birds of prey, reflecting the variety of habitats found through the district.

Even in a small reserve like this, the creek corridor and surrounding native vegetation form an important refuge. That matters in places where steep slopes, permanent moisture and intact forest create habitat quite different from the more cleared or modified land nearby.