Myrtle Falls (Black Glen Falls)

Lachlan (near New Norfolk)GPS Coords: -42.8742, 147.0309
Land Tenure: Wellington Park

Tasmap Reference: 5025 Collinsvale

Updated on 04 Jul 2024

Myrtle Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Caedence Kuepper
image

Grade 4 Hike
Suitable for experienced hikers only.

3.8km's1.5 hours returnRough track, many obstacles Limited signage

Generally distinct without major modification to the ground. Encounters with fallen debris and other obstacles are likely.

Dogs are not allowed
Drones are not allowed
Unknown if accessible with a caravan
Unknown if accessible with a campervan or RV
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average rating of 6.8 out of 10

rated by 7 people

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About Myrtle Falls (Black Glen Falls)

Myrtle Falls (also known as Black Glen Falls) are a series of unofficially named small cascades and waterfalls on the Lachlan River, not far from Lachlan out of New Norfolk. The falls consist of 5-6 drops in total, mostly between 2 and 3 metres high with the uppermost falls (pictured above) the highest at about 4 metres. The falls are relatively unknown, due mainly to the fact that they aren't marked on maps and aren't the most impressive waterfalls around, however they are nonetheless worth a visit if you are in the area. 

There are two locations from where you can start the walk. If driving a 2WD, it is recommended to park in a small pullout on Timbs Road just before a bridge over the Lachlan River, however if you have a 4WD it is possible to drive 900 metres further along on a rough, narrow road to a more established carpark, shortening the hike to about an hour return and one kilometre each way. 

From the 4WD carpark, continue to walk along the road for a short distance as it climbs alongside a sloping cascade, before arriving at the first river crossing shortly afterwords. After fording the creek here, continue a couple of minutes further on to a second crossing point. Neither of these should be attempted when the river is high, and the rocks are slippery all year, so care must be taken. After the second crossing, the track continues to follow the river upstream for a little while before climbing, at times steeply, up a series of switchbacks until it reaches a cleared area, which was once a raspberry farm but has now been out of use for over 60 years. The trail isn't always all that well marked through this area, but once you come to the end of the clearing it becomes more obvious, and the final section of the walk descends down a narrow trail before coming out at a large rock slab in front of one of the cascades. 

It is possible to do more exploring both up and downstream from the end of the track, with climbing up to the tallest of the falls the easiest option. There are a number of great flat sections of rock in the area, making it a good spot for a picnic before embarking on the walk back to the trailhead. 

Naming of the Falls

The falls have been described in various hiking guidebooks as "Black Glen Falls" or simply "Black Glen" over the years, however they are not marked on maps at all and the name Black Glen technically refers to the valley containing the series of cascades and falls on the Lachlan River rather than a singular waterfall. Additionally, Myrtle Falls Creek flows into the Lachlan River near the trailhead for the falls, but does not contain any waterfalls at all. This naming confusion was solved by a historic photo found in the Libraries Tasmania catelogue showing one of the waterfalls at Black Glen captioned as "Myrtle Falls". It seems clear therefore that the real name of this set of waterfalls is Myrtle Falls, and the naming of Myrtle Falls creek is simply a case of mistaken identity as to the actual location of the waterfall. 

Driving directions

Take Lachlan Road out of New Norfolk, travelling through Lachlan and ignoring a turnoff to Hydehurst Road, before arriving at a “Y” junction with Timbs Road after about 9 kilometres. Turn left onto Timbs Road here, and park in a small pullout before a bridge just after the turnoff. If driving a 4WD it is possible to drive the last 900 metres to a more established carpark, however the road becomes very narrow after the bridge and it would be extremely difficult to pass someone coming in the other direction. 

Map

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