Mt Field National Park – Travel Guide and Itinerary [2024]

Visiting Mt Field National Park is a must-do on any trip to Tasmania. If you’re wondering the things to do, where to stay and what a perfect 1 day in Mt Field National Park itinerary looks like, this travel guide is for you!

The first established national park in Tasmania and one of the state’s most popular gems, Mt Field National Park is a truly stunning place, and easily one of the best places to visit in Tasmania.

Only an hour drive north-west of Hobart, it’s a perfect getaway for people looking to check out some epic waterfalls, do some hiking or even just spend a few nights out in nature.

While we were travelling around Tasmania on a road trip, we had Mt Field on our bucket list and ended up camping for three days to make the most of it. We’re so glad we did, because this place didn’t disappoint!

With the highlight being a beautiful 6km circuit that visits the 3 most famous waterfalls, Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls, and a fantastic campground with all the facilities you need, there’s lots to do while you’re here.

Read to check out all the incredible things to do in Mt Field National Park? Let’s dive into it!

Russell Falls At Mt Field National Park Itinerary
Russell Falls at Mt Field National Park.

Mount Field National Park Walks – The Best Hikes to Check Out

There are a number of excellent Mount Field National Park walks, but the ones below are the most accessible and the ones we did on a day trip there.

Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls Loop

  • Distance: 2.1km loop
  • Time: 1 hour (going all the way to Horseshoe Falls)
  • Difficulty: Easy

This is the most popular walk in Mt Field National Park, as it is easily accessible and you can see two gorgeous waterfalls.

The trail starts at the Mount Field Visitors Centre. You will walk through the beautiful towering swamp gums, myrtle and dogwood tree with ferns and greenery everywhere.

As you are walking along the path, you will start hearing the flow of water. After about 800 metres you will come to Russell Falls.

The platform where you can stand and look at this approximately 50-meter tall waterfall is a perfect viewing point, so stop here and take a moment to appreciate its beauty.

After Russell Falls you will follow the path around where you will see a turn off with some stairs.

If you keep going straight and do not go up the stairs, this will loop back around to the visitor centre.

If you choose to follow the stairs up (about 60m elevation) it will lead you to Horseshoe Falls, about 400m from Russell Falls.

After walking along the tree-lined trail you will reach the smaller cascade of Horseshoe Falls. This narrow waterfall is beautiful to photograph!

On the way back, you will follow the same path between Horseshoe Falls and Russell Falls.

At the bottom of the stairs, you will turn left and head back to the Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre.

The path is well maintained the whole way. And the loop just to Russell Falls is wheelchair friendly.

If you’re looking to tick off the main waterfalls in Mt Field National Park, this is the walk for you.

As a side note, we recently published an article all about waterfall photography tips. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to take long exposure photos of waterfalls, hopefully, this article will help!

Horseshoe Falls Mt Field National Park
Horseshoe Falls in Mt Field National Park.

Tall Trees Walk

  • Distance: 1km loop
  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy

The Tall Tree Walk is about halfway between the two waterfalls of Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. This is just off the big Lady Barron Falls Circuit.

This little side loop track has the tallest flowering plants in the world. Walking around the loop you will feel like a little ant amongst these massive swamp gum trees.

These trees reach over 100 metres tall and can live for up to 100 years!

Tall Trees Walk Mt Field Tasmania
The Tall Trees Walk is one not to miss. Don’t forget to look up.

Lady Barron Circuit

  • Distance: 6.5km loop
  • Time: 2-3 hours
  • Difficulty: Easy

This is the big full loop and the best Mt Field National Park day walk. This hike goes to all three waterfalls in the lower sections of the national park.

This walk is for one who has that little bit more time up their sleeves, as it is a continuation of the Russell Falls and Horseshoe Falls Track.

You can do the walk clockwise or counterclockwise. Clockwise is easier as you will be going down the stairs then gradually climbing out of the valley.

This means you go to Lady Barron Falls first from the visitor centre and loop around to Horseshoe Falls then Russell Falls.

If you go to Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and then Lady Barron Falls last, you will be challenged with climbing the steep stairs at the end.

The path to Lady Barron is beautiful. You follow a small creek through the forest with amazing ferns and layers of beautiful trees and plants.

After 2.1 km, you will reach Lady Barron Falls. These split level waterfalls are beautiful and secluded. From here you will continue on the path towards Lake Dobson Road.

Cross the road and you will see the Tall Tree Loop Track there. You can do this one while you are in the area and tick off this beautiful walk also.

From the road to Horseshoe Falls, it is 1.1km. From Horseshoe Falls to Russell Falls it is 420m and you will be going down the stairs for a few minute walk to Russell Falls.

After seeing Russell Falls, you can take either path about 900 meters back to Mt Field National Park Visitor Centre.

Lake Barron Falls
Lady Barron Falls is a nice walk from the information centre.

Glow Worms in Mount Field

If you are staying at the Mount Field Campground, make sure you visit the glow worms at night along the path to Russell Falls.

Once you get into the dark area and your eyes will adapt and you will see them lighting up.

There were so many out the night we saw them!

The trail has a rail you can hang on to and walk along to Russell Falls and then turn back to see it all again.

Take a torch to help you find the rail but turn it off so your eyes and other people’s eyes can adjust to the darkness.

If you have limited time or don’t have your own car, check out this awesome tour from Hobart that goes Mt Field, Mt Wellington and Bonorong Wildlife Park.

Where to Stay in Mt Field National Park

For accommodation at Mt Field National Park, there is only a campground. If you have a tent, campervan, camper trailer or caravan, you can head to the visitors centre and book in for the night.

If the visitors centre is closed, there is an honesty box there or you can pay the next day.

As for facilities, the campground has allocated campsites, toilet and shower block, laundry ($2), water and power if needed. It is $8 per person for unpowered and $10 for power per person.

If you are not keen on camping, there are hotels and guesthouses available in nearby Westerway, Ellendale and New Norfolk.

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Alesha and Jarryd

Alesha and Jarryd

Hey! We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award-winning writers and professional photographers behind this blog. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. Follow our journey in real time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

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