How to Visit Montezuma Falls in Tasmania

Time and time again, my travels in Tasmania have shown me that the state’s waterfalls are one of its best reasons to visit. There are just so many waterfalls in Tasmania to visit, and even with all the time I’ve spent exploring, there are plenty I’ve yet to go see. But one that I can gladly say I’ve had the good fortune to admire is the incredible Montezuma Falls.

When people do take the time to visit Montezuma Falls they go because they’ve heard it’s one of the tallest in Tasmania. While that’s certainly true and a reason I wanted to see it for myself, it turns out there’s much more to this attraction than just that. Experiencing Montezuma Falls is just as much about the history and scenery along the way than it is about the view. Here’s a rundown on visiting Montezuma Falls, from getting there to why it’s worth the drive.

Getting to Montezuma Falls

One of the downsides with interesting places in Tasmania is that they’re rarely easy to get to. This is certainly the case with Montezuma Falls. The falls are located in western Tasmania, south of Rosebery, a fairly long way from any of the state’s main cities or towns. 

As such, the most likely way you’re going to see them is if you’re doing a road trip around Tasmania. The good news is that Montezuma Falls are an easy stop when driving past Cradle Mountain to Strahan on the west coast. You could easily break up a drive out to the coast by stopping here and spending the few hours it takes to see them in all their glory. The upside to their remote location is that you won’t have to share them with many other people.

One final thing worth mentioning is the road down to the falls’ carpark. After turning off the A10, you’ll soon find yourself on a gravel road that can get uneven at times. It’s a great example why it’s always good to have a 4WD vehicle when visiting Tasmania.

The Walking Trail

What’s better than visiting a breathtaking waterfall? Enjoying a quiet, peaceful hike to a breathtaking waterfall. Sure, there are plenty of great nature walks in Tasmania, but not many include such a stunning reward at the end of it.

The trail to Montezuma Falls follows the route of the North East Dundas Tramway. Now long abandoned, the tramway once connected mines with the smelters of Zeehan. The gradual route for the tramway follows the Ring River and often some great views down into the river valley. Beyond the walking trail, there’s also the West Coast MTB Trail for mountain bikers. It stretches 18km from Williamsford to Melba Flats.

Because it’s such a gradual path, most people shouldn’t have any trouble doing this hike. Getting to the falls and back usually takes 3 hours return, even though it’s only around 5km each way. The trail is marked as a Grade 2 hike which makes it even more surprising how long it takes. But after doing it myself, I can confirm it does actually take almost 3 hours, even if I don’t understand how.

One strange feature of the hike though is how the trail was under water for much of the early stages. Not deep water, but enough that it made me glad my shoes didn’t have any holes in them. The lightly-flooded trail was probably because I was visiting in June after several days of serious rain. But of course, visiting after heavy rain is the best time to visit a waterfalls, so it’s an obstacle worth having.

Reaching The Waterfall

You’re sure to hear the Montezuma Falls before you see them. The falls are tucked away around a corner among fairly thick forest, so you won’t get a glimpse of them until you’re real close. But the wait is worth it, because this towering waterfall is a mighty sight when you do see it. But the view must have been even more spectacular back in the day when a trestle bridge for the tramway would pass in front of it.

Montezuma Falls drop an impressive 104 metres, making them one of the highest in Tasmania. It’s sometimes referred to as the tallest, but there seems to be some uncertainty about that. Anyway, those kinds of heights can be hard to put into perspective, but the fact that you can’t see the top says it all.  What’s also interesting, is that despite the long drop, there’s minimal mist at the bottom so you can stay and admire it as long as you like.

As for where Montezuma Falls gets its name from, it’s not what you think. The falls owe their name to the Montezuma Silver Mining Company who leased land in the area. Not very exciting, is it? Still, that doesn’t detract from the sight of this waterfall in any way.

Tips for Visiting Montezuma Falls

Planning your visit to the Montezuma Falls shouldn’t be too difficult as there’s not much to worry about. While the trail is mostly flat and even, hiking boots can be a good idea if its flooded. Otherwise runners should be fine. And because the trail is easy and not too far, most visitors should find it perfectly manageable.

Normally with a hike I’d recommend bringing plenty of sun protection. But this is a forest hike and you’ll rarely leave the shady protection of the canopy. Instead, I’ d recommend bringing a jumper, rain jacket or both, because it can get cool and wet. Mind you, I did go in early winter so that may be affecting my advice.

Have you had the chance to visit Montezuma Falls in Tasmania? Does it sound like somewhere you’d add to your travel plans next time you go to the island state? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.