April 2022: Need a few hours of forest bathing? Then this short drive from Tin Dragon Cottages is perfect! We packed our lunch and headed for Halls Falls.
Where is Halls Falls?
From Branxholm we drove towards Welborough on the A3 Tasman Highway. From Weldborough we continued 21 km on the Tasman Highway past the rhs turn-off to Pyengana. We turned on to Anchor road (LHS). Then we followed this picturesque tree-lined unsealed road taking the first right-hand turnoff (about 1 km). This is the car park for the Halls Falls walking track. The total distance was 50km from Tin Dragon Cottages. GPS Coords: -41.2551, 148.0343
Some local history of Halls Falls
In the nineteenth century this area was mined for tin by Chinese miners. Above Halls Falls you can visit the weir built by these miners. The hand-made weir was built to divert water into water races used for tin mining.
More recently the area was selectively logged. In fact, Halls Falls is named after Willis Hall who set up a portable sawmill downstream of Halls Falls on the Groom River.
Local residents told us that the Hall brothers wanted the area protected for its beauty. So, although you can still see the immense tree stumps from large trees felled last century, the area around the falls has been preserved.
Saved from logging
You can enjoy this short walk because of the efforts of many local Tasmanians. A significant track upgrade was completed in September 2015. This was part of the Tasmanian Community Forest Walks Project, which was supported by Environment Tasmania through funding from the Australian Government.
An easy walk for families
The return distance to the weir is about 2km from the interpretation signs. This is an easy, mostly flat (Class 3) track. However, Environment Tasmania has classified the short section descending to the base of the the falls as Class 4. You should allow yourself about two hours to explore all the short tracks around the Groom River.
Although this is an easy walk, you should wear good walking shoes. The track was slippery after the recent rain.
About 750m from the track entrance there is a viewing platform. Here you can look down to Halls Falls.
Track up to the weir
From the viewing platform you can choose the track to the left taking you upstream to the historic weir. A short distance in, there is also short sidetrack to rock pools downstream of the weir.
By returning to the main track you can walk another short track up to the base of the weir. Here you have a better view of the weir.
The track then continues further upstream beside the peaceful clear Groom River.
After about ten minues, we decided to return downstream back to the viewing platform.
Zig-zag track down to Halls Falls
The track to the right of the viewing platform descends steeply via a couple of switchbacks to the base of Halls Falls. Of course walking this short track is the whole reason for driving out to Halls Falls!
We sat on a large rock below the falls to enjoy our cup of tea and sandwiches–Shinrin-yoku!
Returning to the car park we walked the 750m loop track. This takes you through dry eucalypt forest. After the April rains the area was heavily scented with peppermint and eucalyptus.
This family-friendly easy walk well deserves it’s Google review’s rating of >4.5.
Thanks, it looks wonderful! Look forward to going there on our way to staying at Tin Dragon Cottages soon.
Yoy’ll enjoy this short walk – but do take your time to soak in the wonderful forest scents and colours!