Mt Field National Park

Introducing Mt Field National Park

Mt Field, 80km northwest of Hobart, was declared a national park in 1916 and is famed for its spectacular mountain scenery, alpine moorlands and lakes, rainforest, waterfalls and abundant wildlife. On the way here you might want to stop at New Norfolk, an industrial river town making something of a revival.

The park’s Visitor Information Centre (6288 1149; www.parks.tas.gov.au; 66 Lake Dobson Rd; 8.30am-5pm Nov-Apr, 9am-4pm May-Oct) houses a café and displays on the park’s origins, and provides information on walks. There are excellent day-use facilities in the park, including barbecues, shelters and a children’s playground.

Skiing here is sometimes an option, when nature sees fit to deposit snow (infrequently in recent years). Snow reports are available online at www.ski.com.au/reports/mawson, or via a recorded message service (6288 1166).

Don’t miss the magnificently tiered, 45m-high Russell Falls, an easy 20-minute return amble from behind the visitor information centre. The path is suitable for prams and wheelchairs. There are also easy walks to Lady Barron and Horseshoe Falls, as well as much longer bushwalks.

On the Tyenna River 4km east of Mt Field is Something Wild (6288 1013; 2080 Gordon River Rd; www.somethingwild.com.au; adult/concession/child/family $13/11/6.50/39; 10am-5pm), a wildlife sanctuary that rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife, and provides a home for animals unable to be released. Visit the animal nursery, see native wildlife (devils, wombats, quolls) and maybe spot a platypus sniffing around the grounds.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009