Mount Field National Park

In 1885 Russell Falls became Tasmania's first nature reserve, while Mount Field was declared a national park in 1916.

The diversity of Mount Field's 16,265 hectares (40,191 acres) is remarkable. Striking as the falls are, if you confine yourself to the area near the Visitor Centre at the bottom of the mountain you'll miss an accessible and extraordinarily beautiful alpine experience - the Tarn Shelf above Lake Dobson.

Mount Field National Park is distinguished by its wide range of popular short, medium and longer walks. If you are an avid trekker intending to return to the park a number of times, a book on Tasmania's bushwalks would be very useful.

There are two main sections to the park: the Russell Falls area near the Visitor Centre and the area around and above Lake Dobson, 16 kilometres (10 miles) away along a winding gravel road.

The grove of tall, palm-like pandani on the shores of the lake has a Tolkein charm, while higher still, beyond a small ski field, the Tarn Shelf takes you to the edge of precipices overlooking glimmering pools on the rim of the mountain and expansive lakes in the valley below.

In April and May, the slopes of the mountain that backs onto the Tarn Shelf are ablaze with the gold, red and orange foliage of Australia's only winter deciduous tree, the endemic fagus (Nothofagus gunnii).

In winter you may enjoy limited downhill skilling at a small ski field above Lake Dobson, or cross-country skiing further afield. Contact the Southern Tasmania Ski Association for details.

You can learn more about the history and ecology of the park at the Visitor Centre near the entrance, where you can also get information on the many walks. In summer, park rangers present activities and talks of interest to visitors of all ages.

Most of Tasmania's land mammals are present in the park, and there's a good chance you will see a small marsupial on one of the walking tracks or near the Visitor Centre.

• Russell Falls (20 minutes)
• Lady Barron Falls Circuit (1.75 hours)
• Tall Trees Walk (30 minutes)
• Pandani Grove (30-40 minutes)
• Tarn Shelf (four-eight hours)

You can camp or park your caravan in powered or unpowered sites and there are also cabins available.

Check out the camping fee schedule here.

Contact the Parks and Wildlife Service (see the Information section below) for bookings.

A further 1.5 to two hours' drive south-west of Mount Field is the Southwest National Park. See that section for further details.

Mount Field National Park is 60 kilometres (37 miles), or about an hour's drive, north-west of Hobart. From Hobart, take the Brooker Highway (A10) to New Norfolk, then follow the road on either side of the Derwent River (the A10 or B62) until you reach Westerway. From here, drive along a winding bitumen road to the clearly marked entrance to Mount Field National Park, just before the small township of National Park.

• National parks and reserves
• Preparing to walk in the outdoors
• Park entry fees
• Skiing conditions

• Phone: 03 6288 1149
  Fax: 03 6288 1170

• Hobart Visitor Information Centre
  20 Davey Street
  Hobart
  Phone: (03) 6230 8233 
  Email: tasbookings@tasvisinfo.com.au