Tomahawk Falls

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National ParkGPS Coords: -41.7579, 145.8931
Land Tenure: National Park

Tasmap Reference: 4037 Will

Updated on 02 Sep 2022

image

Grade 5 Hike
Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

12km's6-7 Hours From Lake Holmes returnRough unformed track No directional signage

No Modification of the natural environment.

Dogs are not allowed
Drones are not allowed
Unknown if accessible with a caravan
Unknown if accessible with a campervan or RV
Share on
Rating

average rating of 5.6 out of 10

rated by 2 people

About Tomahawk Falls

The Bluff River area to the west of the Overland Track features numerous waterfalls that can be explored in an off-track day walk, with Tomahawk Falls being the largest of these. The falls plunge over three distinct tiers totalyl aobut 60 metres at the head of a large gorge, however the incredibly steep terrain makes them very difficult and hazardous to access. The falls are probably best visited in late autumn, when the fagus trees put on an impressive display and can be photographed in conjunction with the falls.

To reach Tomahawk Falls, the best route is to descend into the valley containing the upper reaches of the river and its tributaries, leaving the Lake Will track a short distance from Lake Holmes just off the OLT. Much of the walk to Tomahawk Falls is relatively easy off track walking through buttongrass plains, though as the top of the falls is approached the forest begins to close in and the banks become much steeper. With some challenging scrambling it is possible to reach the top of the falls and peer over the edge of the 25 metre upper plunge, and also check out the photo-friendly Tomahawk Cascades just upstream. 

Exploring the middle and lower sections of Tomahawk Falls requires some incredibly difficult and dangerous scrambling, and is not recommended for any but the most experienced and prepared hikers. On our visit we were able to find a vantage point giving a direct view of the 15 metre middle falls, but obtaining a view of the upper falls was completely impossible due to a large cliff blocking the view. The only way to view this section of the falls, besides by drone, would be abseiling. It may be possible to reach the base of the 20 metre lower falls by descending to the river further downstream then wading up, but we were only able to get very partial views of this part of the falls through trees as the ground right beside the waterfall was far too steep to even contemplate a direct route down. 

Map

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.

Previous and Next Waterfall (Alphabetical order)

Tolkien Falls

Styx Valley

Grade 3 HikeGrade 3 Hike

Some bush walking experience recommended.

Trestle Falls

Wellington Park

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

Waterfalls near Tomahawk Falls

Cave Falls

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

Veil Falls

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park

Grade 5 HikeGrade 5 Hike

Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

Innes Falls

Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park

Grade 4 HikeGrade 4 Hike

Suitable for experienced hikers.