Dip Falls: Tasmania’s Mightiest Waterfall

Dip Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Tasmania.

Not because its particularly high or beautiful, but because with the right conditions, it’s an absolute brute of a waterfall compared to many in Tasmania. It’s a big, bulky, and loud.

It’s located just outside the town of Mawbanna in the north-west region of Tasmania, around 40 minutes drive from Stanley.

The 26-kilometre road into the falls winds its way through pretty farmland and forestry plantations, before turning into a dirt road with plenty of potholes for the last 2 kilometres.

You’ll know you’ve reached your destination when you see the impressive tunnel of rainforest trees welcoming you into the reserve.

Dip Falls Waterfall Platform

You can hear the falls well before you catch any glimpse of them. The roar of the waterfall is overpowering and surrounds you like a blanket of white noise.

Getting down to the waterfall is fairly easy going. A short gravel path leads you to a staircase zigzagging down to the base of the waterfall. The staircase is well made with a sturdy railing to support your descent. The only real obstacle is dodging the odd giant fern leaf or two along the way.

Wooden stairway winding through large tree ferns
Stairway to the Waterfall Platform

At the base of the falls is a large elevated viewing platform with a catwalk style walkway extending out over the river, ending with a small viewing platform.

The view of Dip Falls, Tasmania, from the lower viewing platform
The view from the Waterfall Platform

The falls are literally right in your face and the unique hexagonal shaped basalt columns that make up the waterfall becomes apparent. Because of the unique shape of the columns, the water doesn’t flow smoothly like a normal waterfall, it sort of bounces from column to column like a slinky made of water.

Water bouncing down the hexagonal basalt columns at Dip Falls, Tasmania
Water bouncing down the hexagonal basalt columns

The stairs can be fairly challenging on the return trip, but take your time and stop at one of the conveniently located seats and enjoy the differing views of the falls.

Dip Falls Upper Platform

Perched on the hillside above the waterfall is the upper platform. From up here, you’re looking directly down upon the waterfall. And from this vantage, you get a clear idea of the scale of the falls. The water spreads out and the entire hillside becomes a huge torrent of water.

Wooden platform overlooking a large multi level waterfall
View from the Upper Lookout

The waterfalls double-tiered structure is also clearly visible from above. You can see the top falls cascading into a central pool before flowing down the second cascade to the base of the falls.

Top view of a waterfall with metal viewing platform extending out over it
Looking out over the waterfall from the Upper Platform

The picturesque views from the upper platform look out over the valley and surrounding forests, and the hexagon shapes in the rock wall that makes this waterfall truly unique are clearly visible.

The Big Tree

Around 1 kilometre from the waterfall is the Big Tree. Much like the Big Tree at Liffey Falls, the tree is a Brown Top Stringybark. But this one is slightly larger.

It’s a towering 62 metres tall and a humongous 5 metres in diameter.

The big tree at Dip Falls Reserve, Tasmania
The Big Tree

There is a very short walk from the car park to the tree through some lovely Tarkine rainforest, with scenery similar to that found at Trowutta Arch before you reach the platform that surrounds the big tree.

Bottom up view of a huge moss covered rainforest tree
The Big Tree is incredibly high

A few metres from the big tree is a short stairway that takes you atop one of these fallen giants to give you a good scale of the sizes of these trees.

Wooden stairway over a giant fallen tree
Giant fallen tree

Entry Price

Entry to Dip Falls is free.

Opening Hours

Dip Falls is open 24 hours.

Facilities

  • Toilets
  • Barbeques
  • Seating
  • Car park

Location

Click to view the map to Dip Falls.

When To Visit

Dip Falls can be visited year-round, although the flow is very seasonal.

Warm summer months can turn the flow into little more than a dribble, whereas during winter with heavier rainfalls it turns into a raging torrent. Definitely visit during winter if possible.

Additional Information

  • Many guides list the upper lookout and the big tree as disabled access. We feel this would be difficult without assistance as the path can be muddy, bumpy and is on a slight incline
  • There is a barbeque near the car park, but it’s wood-fired. You’ll need to bring wood and barbeques utensils, and the cooking surface is rather weathered and rusty

Recommended Equipment

  • Wet weather gear
  • Water
  • Food

Conclusion

Dip Falls is a little out of the way, but well worth the effort when it’s flowing strongly.

It’s one of the most powerful and impressive waterfalls in Tasmania. And besides the drive into the falls, it’s one of the quickest and easiest waterfalls to access.

Nearby Attractions

  • Stanley
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