Featherstone Cascades

HobartGPS Coords: -42.9109, 147.2519
Land Tenure: Wellington Park

Tasmap Reference: 5224 Taroona

Updated on 25 Jul 2024

Featherstone Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Caedence Kuepper
image

Grade 4 Hike
Suitable for experienced hikers only.

3km's1 hour returnRough track, many obstacles Limited signage

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

Dogs on leash allowed
Drones are not allowed
Not suitable for caravans
Not suitable for campervans or RV's
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average rating of 7 out of 10

rated by 12 people

About Featherstone Cascades

A secluded waterfall upstream of O'Grady's Falls, Featherstone Cascades was a long-forgotten waterfall, having been a popular attraction around the 1930's, that has recently been rediscovered and is quickly becoming a favourite spot for photographers once again. 

To access Featherstone Cascades, continue across the bridge past O'Grady's Falls on the Betts Vale Track for about 50 metres, until you see a big tree stump on the left. The track to the falls starts just after the stump, and while it is pretty rough, it isn't too difficult to follow with tapes marking the route along the old trail. The walk upstream takes no more than 10 minutes or so until you reach the falls, although there are some obstacles in the form of large fallen trees to negotiate. It is recommended to keep to the marked route as much as possible, to stop destruction of the relatively untouched environment around the creek and avoid creating potentially confusing side trails. 

Featherstone Cascades are well worth the effort required to reach them, cascading about 3 metres over a wide, mossy cascade before funnelling into a narrower plunge into a small pool below.

We previously had listed Featherstone Cascades as Featherstone Falls, however the name Featherstone Cascades has now been officially nomenclatured and is the correct historical title. According to the Wellington Park Management Trust, the falls were first marked in the 1931 Hobart Walking Club map as "Featherstone Cascades". The cascades were named after Robert Featherstone, who worked as a ranger on the mountain, overseeing the construction of Pinaccle Road in the 1930's and spending his spare time and money improving the walking tracks of the area. 

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