Mt Field National Park

Mt Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s most loved national parks. The park has a wide variety of scenic features and wildlife and offers a great range of facilities for day visitors. Few other national parks in Australia offer such a diversity in vegetation, ranging from tall swamp gum forests and massive tree ferns at the base of the mountain, through rainforest along the Lake Dobson Road, to alpine vegetation at the higher elevations.
The park essentially has two visitor sections. The first, near the park entrance, includes picnic facilities and the famous Russell Falls. Stunning walks through enormous fern forests and some of the tallest trees in the world are available in this area.

The second visitor section is centred at Lake Dobson and includes the long day walks and skiing areas. Dramatic mountain scenery and alpine plant communities are a feature of the higher parts of the park.

The Visitor Centre at the entrance of the park provides information on walks as well as comprehensive interpretation of the history, geology, plants and animals of the park. It’s a great place to start your day and to learn more about the special features of the park.

Camping and caravan facilities are available near the park entrance. The campground is set in a pleasant forest by the Tyenna River.


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How to get there

Mt Field National Park is just over one hour’s drive from Hobart via New Norfolk. From Hobart, take the Brooker Highway (A10) north-west to New Norfolk. After New Norfolk you can follow the road on either side of the Derwent River (the A10 or B62) until you reach Westerway. From there it is a short drive along a winding bitumen road to the small township of National Park and the clearly marked entrance to Mt Field National Park.
The Lake Dobson carpark is up a further 16km of winding gravel road. Due to snow conditions, vehicles using this road may require chains; at times the road may be closed. Phone 6288 1319 for information on road conditions.

Things To See And Do

Snow Skiing

For Hobart residents, Mt Field is a close and well-loved skiing venue. Often during the winter months, tows operate on the slopes. Down-hill, snow boarding and cross country skiing are popular. From the ski huts, a well marked track leads you to the spectacular Tarn Shelf, a stunning, lake-ridden shelf that was carved out by the force of glaciers from the previous Ice Age. During autumn, the slopes of the mountains which back onto Tarn Shelf become a riot of colour as the fagus, or decidious beech, turns gold and red and orange.


Khazad-Dum Cave

The name Khazad-Dum was borrowed from ‘The Lord of the Rings’.This cave, in Mt Field National Park, is representative of the deep caves in the Maydena area southwest of Tasmania. At 320 m deep, Khazad-Dum is one of the deepest potholes in Australia.This cave is too dangerous for inexperienced people to enter.


Russell Falls

This is one of Tasmania’s best known scenic attractions. The falls can be reached in an easy 10 minute stroll from the first car park. The track follows level ground and is sealed, making it suitable for wheelchair use. Green and graceful ferns line the track edges while giant eucalypts tower overhead. You can return from the falls via the same track or follow the creek back by crossing the bridge below the falls.

Russell Falls/Horseshoe Falls/Lady Barron Falls/Tall Trees circuit: spend a leisurely couple of hours and explore all these tracks by following the signs that link them together.

Day Walks

Walks range from easy, low-level strolls, such as the famous Russell Falls Track (suitable for wheelchairs), to cross-country ski trips across the higher plateaus. As always, remember to bring warm, rain and wind-proof clothing – no matter what time of year you visit. Use the guide below to find a walk that suits both you and the weather of the day.

Pandani Grove Nature Walk

We’ve listed this alpine walk as moderate as the track can be covered with ice and snow. Even in dry conditions it’s still often wet underfoot. The track skirts the edges of Lake Dobson through subalpine vegetation and passes through a grove of beautiful tall pandanis, and pencil pines. Collect a brochure from the Visitor Centre and learn a little about the alpine environment.


Seager's Lookout

This wonderful lookout is accessed via the Lake Fenton Carpark. It is a 2hr return track. From the carpark, follow the bush trail to Fenton, crossing the Fenton Creek below the dam wall, then picking up the trail at the sign indicating “track”. Great views can be gained with a short moderate effort. Walking boots are recommended for this walk.


Tarn Shelf

This is a delightful series of small glacial lakes. Access is from a track that leaves from the ski fields. Take the Urquart Track from the Lake Dobson car park to reach the ski fields.

Tarn Shelf/Lake Newdegate/Twilight Tarn and Lake Webster Trail is a long days circuit walk that will take you across the Tarn Shelf, returning via the lower lakes. The tarns are often frozen in winter. The rustic Twilight Tarn hut is a relic from days gone by and contains skiing memorabilia from earlier decades. Track work has been undertaken to address the muddier sections of the track and to protect the rare and sensitive vegetation in the area, please assist us by staying on the formed tracks.


Mt Field East and Lake Nicholls

This is about a five hour return trip. The uphill climb is gradual rather than steep. It can be extremely windy on the summit so be sure to carry protective clothing.


Lake Belton and Lake Belcher

The track to these lakes leaves from Wombat Moor and crosses open moorland before descending through sub-alpine forest. Sections of this walk are wet and muddy.


Mt Field West

This is a long days walk to the edge of the national park. It should not be attempted in wet and windy conditions and all parties should have at least one experienced walker, with navigation skills. The entire route can often be skied in the winter months.


Mt Field East via Windy Moor

If you don’t mind wading through a few sections of deep mud, this walk makes a nice circuit and travels across a lovely moorland.


Rodway Range - Tarn Shelf Circuit

This walk will give you the views from the Rodway Range as well as the delights of the Tarn Shelf. It’s recommended for fit walkers only. Skis or snowshoes are often necessary in the winter months.uphill climb is gradual rather than steep. It can be extremely windy on the summit so be sure to carry protective clothing.

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