Secret Falls

HobartGPS Coords: -42.8957, 147.2640
Land Tenure: Wellington Park

Updated on 25 Jan 2021

Secret Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Craig Doumouras
image

Grade 2 Hike
Suitable for families with young children.

2km's30 minutes returnWell formed track No directional signage

Broad, hard surfaced track suitable for wheelchair use. Width: 1200mm or more. Well maintained with minimal intrusions

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 7.6 out of 10

rated by 38 people

About Secret Falls

Possibly Tasmania's worst kept secret, Secret Falls is situated on the Myrtle Gully track in the foothills of Mt. Wellington, in a secluded part of the trail. Secret falls is approximately 3 metres high, dropping into a very narrow crevice, and can easily be missed when walking past it, due to the overgrowth surrounding it. To get a view of the waterfall you will need to make your way down into the crevice area itself. Due to a lot of foot traffic the track is muddy and obvious, and in recent years a second track has formed. Erosion has occurred damaging ferns and bushes as people try to climb down to view Secret Falls. If you do visit the waterfall please ensure you use the existing track and try and avoid further damage.

The Waterfall is a single drop of flow, landing in a rocky pool below. Secret Falls is accompanied by Myrtle Gully Falls, which is about 50 metres further along Myrtle Gully track.

 

The Secret Dilemma

The erosion issues that, in turn, have resulted in damaged plants at Secret Falls has become a catalyst for environmentalists claiming that many so called 'sensitive' waterfalls should be hidden from the public. Using Secret Falls as the prime example of the 'destruction' that occurs when an area is overwhelmed with visitors, the conclusion amongst many environmentalists is that the same thing will happen everywhere in our wilderness.

We do not agree.

Other waterfalls across Tasmania cannot be compared to Secret Falls due to the following reasons:

  1. Secret Falls is within walking distance of Tasmania's largest city, Hobart, resulting in more foot traffic.
  2. Secret Falls is literally within metres of a very popular hiking track, and thus requires little effort to reach.
  3. Secret Falls geologically is within a small gully where people are forced to climb into.
  4. Secret Falls is incredibly photogenic with a unique form, thus adding to its lure.
  5. The name of the waterfall adds to the mystery of it.
  6. It lacks infrastructure for people to see it safely without damaging its surrounds.

These 6 reasons create the perfect storm for Secret Falls, and why it desperately needs infrastructure to help cope with the foot traffic. 

However, every other waterfall in Tasmania does not tick all 6 reasons.

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Avoid Private Property

Not every area in Tasmania is available for the public to explore. Watch our video tutorial to learn how to identify which areas are on public land.

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