Don’t Miss Tasmania’s Beautiful Nelson Falls
My brother and I almost blew right past Nelson Falls. I had it marked on the map as a potential place to stop, and the trailhead appeared faster than we expected. Thankfully, we had the time to stop and make it happen. And my gosh, I’m so thankful that we did!
Now, Nelson Falls isn’t like some extraordinary, life-changing place. But it’s a beautiful area, and as you drive from Lake St. Clair to Cradle Mountain, it’s a perfect place to stop and stretch your legs.
This will be a short guide, but the photos will make it worth it!
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Hiking & Photo Guide to Nelson Falls in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Key Details of the Short Hike
- Distance: Less than a mile round trip (1.5km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Time on Trail: 45 minutes to 2 hours
- Google Maps Link
My Trip Report
After driving for a while, it was sure nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air, even if it was slightly drizzling. We both grabbed our photography gear and set out on the Nelson Falls hike. We hadn’t researched much, so we didn’t know what to expect.
Lucky for us, it was stunning and we really enjoyed the short walk, mossy forest, and tall trees. Plus, being the only ones on the trail was a pretty nice opportunity to get some solitude with nature.
What to know about the trail
Where is Nelson Falls located?
Nelson Falls, inside Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, is 30 minutes to the east of Queenstown, Tasmania. It’s in a heavily forested area, making it somewhat secluded. You’d have no idea it was there without the signs.
If you’re coming from Lake St. Clair, it’s an hour away as you drive towards Queenstown/Cradle Mountain.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Spring and Fall would be great times to visit Nelson Falls, as this is when the waterfall will be gushing the most, thanks to snow runoff or recent rain. We went in mid-April had terrific conditions.
However, due to its cascading nature, this should be a beautiful waterfall to visit year-round because when you do a long exposure photo, it’ll look incredibly dreamy.
How hard is the hike to Nelson Falls?
This is hardly a hike. It’s more like a gentle stroll. Getting to Nelson Falls only requires a short walk on a mostly flat trail to the waterfall’s viewing platform. It’s super mellow and almost anyone should be able to make it. I believe it’s mostly all paved out, which means it should be okay for those with a wheelchair or scooter.
Of all the trails we did on our six-day Tasmania trip, this is the most family-friendly one.
Photographing Nelson Falls
Here are a few tips to photograph Nelson Falls in Tasmania.
First, you’ll want something to protect your camera if it’s raining. This can be a shirt, a plastic bag, or a hat. I used a hat because that was what I had!
Next up, you’ll want a tripod and an ND filter if it’s midday and sunny. But, due to the tree coverage, there’s a strong possibility of stopping down to F/22 and being okay to get a long exposure. Then, test out a few different long exposure lengths. The photos in this article were taken at the 0.4 and 0.6 range.
Due to being constrained in the viewing platform, you only have so many compositions available. I made sure to get a handful of close-up long exposures, then some wide ones (both vertical and horizontal). Lastly, I moved to the side closest to the river in order to maximize the amount of stream in the shot.
Overall, you’ll get some gorgeous photos. I only wish you had the chance to get close.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Nelson Falls in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
For a short stop on a Tasmanian road trip, Nelson Falls is a must-see place for anyone who enjoys nature and pretty destinations. It’s quick and easy and will allow you to break up a drive full of windy roads.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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