Castra Falls

CastraGPS Coords: -41.3583, 146.0915
Land Tenure: Permanent Timber Production Zone Land

Tasmap Reference: 4242 Castra

Updated on 19 Jul 2024

Castra Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Craig Doumouras
image

Grade 4 Hike
Suitable for experienced hikers only.

6.5km's2.5 hours returnFormed track, some obstacles Sign posted

Formed earthen track, few obstacles. Generally a modified surface, sections may be hardened. Width: variable and less than 1200mm. Kept mostly clear.

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 6.4 out of 10

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About Castra Falls

Castra Falls is the second waterfall on a walking circuit known as the Castra Circuit, home to 3 other waterfalls; Silver Falls, Step Falls, and Secret Place. The track is commenced as an easy to moderate walk, progressively becoming more difficult the further you walk.  The track, however, has been well maintained by volunteers, and have done an excellent job in marking the track with ribbons, pointers, and signs, to guide people along to the correct places.

What is striking about the walk is the sheer number of fallen trees throughout the circuit. Even though the circuit is in excellent condition, and is very well maintained, It does leave you wondering how stable the ground is, and how likely is it for more to fall around you. Fears aside, on a good day, the small hike is a picturesque one, with many photographic opportunities for you to enjoy.

As you near Castra Falls, signs will give you an option to view the Castra Cascades, which will require you to venture down a steep bank to the rivulet below. Continuing along the track a short distance will lead you to another makeshift sign guiding you down to Castra Falls. The track down to the falls from this point is incredibly steep, hazardous, and slippery, and we're thankful to the people who have installed rope rails to use to support yourself down to the base of Castra Falls, as well as to help pull you back up again (it really is that steep).

Once at the base of the falls, you will see a single drop waterfall of about 10 metres in height, with a series of small cascade behind them. The flow of water drops into a pool, that is surrounded by a steep small cliffs.

Naming confusion and Location Errors

According to Placenames Tasmania, the name "Castra Falls" actually refers to the entire run of the Castra Rivulet from Dynamo to Coxs Falls and all the waterfalls in between, and marks the waterfall on this page as Silver Falls. However, the name Silver Falls is in common usage for the waterfall on Nietta Creek that is unmarked on topo maps despite being the largest of the waterfalls in the area, while signs on the track and online sources typically refer to this waterfall as Castra Falls.

Additionally, attributing the single "Castra Falls" monikor to a 4km stretch of creek with at least 7 separate waterfalls is a bizarre and confusing naming convention when most of these waterfalls have their own name shown on maps. The Waterfalls of Tasmania website therefore lists the names of each of the waterfalls on the circuit according to their common usage and the signs on the track, and our GPS locations are in line with the falls as you will find them on the trail. 

How to get to Castra Falls

Castra Falls is situated approximately 10 km's south of Ulverstone, on Gaunts Rd. The easiest way to Gaunts Road is to drive along the Bass Highway, and take the Ulverstone Exit that leads you to Castra Road. Once you reach Castra Road, head south approximately 10 km's until you reach Gaunts Rd.

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Previous and Next Waterfall (Alphabetical order)

Castra Cascades

Castra

Grade 3 HikeGrade 3 Hike

Some bush walking experience recommended.

Cataract Falls

Snug

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

Waterfalls near Castra Falls

Castra Cascades

Castra

Grade 3 HikeGrade 3 Hike

Some bush walking experience recommended.

Step Falls

Nietta, Tasmania

Grade 4 HikeGrade 4 Hike

Suitable for experienced hikers.

Secret Place

Castra

Grade 4 HikeGrade 4 Hike

Suitable for experienced hikers.