Nelson Steps

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National ParkGPS Coords: -42.0992, 145.7475
Land Tenure: National Park

Updated on 28 Oct 2024

Nelson Steps (middle falls)
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Caedence Kuepper
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Grade 5 Hike
Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

3km's2 Hours returnRough unformed track No directional signage

No Modification of the natural environment.

Dogs are not allowed
Drones are not allowed
Suitable for caravans
Suitable for campervans and RV's
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About Nelson Steps

On an unnamed tributary to Nelson River near Nelson Falls is a blue line on topo maps indicating a waterfall. In fact, there are actually three waterfalls here, each significant enough to be named but given their very close proximity to each other (20-30 metres between each drop) the name Nelson Steps was chosen to refer to the collective series of three falls which form a sort of giant staircase. No tracks access the waterfalls, though by off track standards it is not the most difficult hike to the first of the falls, with the main challenge being in climbing to the upper sections. 

From the Nelson Falls carpark, follow the trail for a few hundred metres until the second bridge over the Nelson River. Leave the made trail here before the river crossing, and follow the river around a short distance until you come to the tributary creek where it flows into the river. From here it is just a matter of following the creek upstream, about 900 metres to the first of the Nelson Steps. The southern side of the creek provides the easiest walking but in general it is not particularly difficult going through fairly open rainforest, with only a few points where the banks close in and require any awkward scrambling around the banks. 

The first of the Nelson Steps is a nice two-tiered cascading falls of about 8 metres, though it is probably the least impressive of the three. Cross the creek at the falls and scale the cliffs to the left of the falls, a short but nasty climb requiring some dodgy footholds and hauling yourself up by tree roots. Once at the top though the second falls are visible 30 metres upstream, and these are the easily the best of the three falls, a curtainous sheer drop of 10 metres. One final nasty scramble leads to the top where the third drop is again immediately visible 30 metres further up. The third and final step is a narrow and powerful chute dropping 8 metres into its own mini-gorge. The blue line on maps is technically slightly upstream of the third falls but having investigated there are no falls further up, and the location of the falls we have marked is at the top of the upper tier. 

Nelson Steps is a shortish but rewarding off track mission to an impressive series of waterfalls. While it is far easier that attempting Sunshine and Twisted Falls upstream of Nelson Falls, it is it is still a difficult off track walk that should only be attempted by experienced hikers. 

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Previous and Next Waterfall (Alphabetical order)

Nelson Falls

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Grade 2 HikeGrade 2 Hike

Suitable for families with young children.

New Town Falls

Hobart

Grade 4 HikeGrade 4 Hike

Suitable for experienced hikers.

Waterfalls near Nelson Steps

Nelson Falls

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Grade 2 HikeGrade 2 Hike

Suitable for families with young children.

Twisted Falls

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

Sunshine Falls (Nelson River)

Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.