Top Walks in TasmaniaMelanie Ball
Walking guide
Top Walks in Tasmania
Melanie Ball · 2018
Graded day walks across Tasmania's national parks, with maps, for building a walking trip around Russell Falls.
Australia · Tasmania
Nelson Falls
The Nelson Falls, a cascade waterfall, is located in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Tasmanian Wilderness, in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Nelson Falls drops over a series of steps. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Tasmania, Australia. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Nelson Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Tasmania are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring, September to December, pairs snowmelt or winter rain with lengthening days; autumn (April to May) is the quieter second season.
Getting there
- Base town Tasmania, Australia
- Country Australia
- Region Tasmania, Australia, Oceania
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Nelson Falls
Australia
Height—Width—
Most similar
Tarawera Falls
New Zealand
Height35 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall and in New Zealand
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
35 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Tarawera FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Nelson Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Tasmania
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 10th edition covers Mt Field National Park, home of Russell Falls, an easy day trip from Hobart.
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Australia
Lonely Planet · 2024
The 22nd edition covers the Top End, Far North Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and NSW in one volume.
Lonely Planet Best Day Walks AustraliaLonely Planet
Walking guide
Lonely Planet Best Day Walks Australia
Lonely Planet · 2024
Short and half-day walks around Australia, useful for fitting waterfall hikes into a wider trip.
On the map
-42.09, 145.73
Quick answers
Where is Nelson Falls?
Nelson Falls is in Australia (Tasmania). The nearest base is Tasmania, Australia. Its coordinates are -42.0900, 145.7300.
When is the best time to visit Nelson Falls?
Peak flow is September to December. Spring, September to December, pairs snowmelt or winter rain with lengthening days; autumn (April to May) is the quieter second season.
What can you do at Nelson Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Nelson Falls?
The usual base is Tasmania, Australia. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Nelson Falls
Liffey Falls
Australia · 160 m · 100 km away
The Liffey Falls, a series of four distinct tiered–cascade waterfalls on the Liffey River, is located in the…
Russell Falls
Australia · 45 m · 100 km away
Widely considered Tasmania's most photographed waterfall
Dip Falls
Australia · 120 km away
The Dip Falls, a cascade waterfall over cubic-basalt formed rocks on the Dip River, is located in Mawbanna in…
Hopetoun Falls
Australia · 18 m · 420 km away
The Hopetoun Falls is a waterfall across the Aire River that is located in the Otways region of Victoria…