Water, Rainforest and Old Mining Country at Waratah

Overview

Waratah is a small township in north-west Tasmania, inland from Burnie in the Waratah-Wynyard area. What gives it its particular character is the way water runs right through the centre of town. A chain of small lakes sits beside the main streets, and Waratah Falls drops close by, so the landscape feels shaped as much by water as by the old settlement around it.

The surrounding country is cool, wet and strongly linked to the west and north-west highlands. That brings a mix of forest, mossy gullies and changeable mountain weather, with a greener, softer look than many inland towns.

Highlights

The most distinctive feature here is Waratah Falls, which spills through the middle of town rather than being tucked away deep in bushland. Together with the lakes, it gives Waratah an unusually water-focused setting, where open water, steep banks and forested edges all sit close together.

Beyond the township itself, the scenery shifts quickly into damp forest and ferny gullies. This is the kind of country where short distances can bring a real change in mood, from open town edges to enclosed rainforest.

Best Time to Visit

Waratah suits any season if you like cool-climate landscapes, but it is often at its best when there has been decent rain and the falls and creeks are running strongly. The wetter months usually bring the fullest water and the richest greens through the surrounding forest.

Summer can be a pleasant time if you want clearer conditions and longer daylight, though Waratah generally stays cooler than lower coastal areas. In autumn and winter the mist, cloud and damp forest feel especially at home here.

Plants and Animals

The country around Waratah supports the kind of vegetation that thrives in Tasmania’s wetter north-west, including rainforest and ferny understorey. Mossy ground layers, dense shrubs and tall trees are a big part of the look and feel of the area, especially in gullies and along watercourses.

The town lakes are stocked with trout, and quiet water around Waratah can also attract wildlife. In a place like this, the close mix of forest cover, creeks and lakes makes birdlife and smaller freshwater species part of the everyday scene rather than something far removed from town.