Montezuma Falls

Montezuma Falls drops around a hundred metres in a single thread down a mossy cliff in the rainforest behind Rosebery, generally cited as the tallest waterfall in Tasmania. The walk to it follows the formation of the North East Dundas Tramway, a narrow-gauge line built in the 1890s to serve mines in the valley, so the track is flat and even for most of its nine kilometres return, cut through myrtle, sassafras and tree ferns with cuttings and old sleepers still visible. At the falls a suspension bridge crosses the gorge, giving the head-on view. The rainforest here is dense and wet, and leeches are common.

What you actually see

• The falls - a hundred-metre thread down a mossy cliff face.
• The suspension bridge - the crossing giving the direct view.
• The tramway formation - the flat 1890s rail route through the forest.
• The rainforest - myrtle, sassafras and tree ferns along the whole walk.

When to go

November to April for the most comfortable walking; the falls run strongly year-round given the west coast's rainfall. Winter is cold and muddy. The bridge can be closed for maintenance, which removes the best view.

Honest expectations

The walk is nine kilometres return, flat but long, taking around three hours. Leeches are abundant in wet conditions. The access road is unsealed. Rain on the west coast is likely on any given day.

Nearby

Rosebery lies north; Zeehan and Strahan are west and south.