Of all the waterfalls to photograph in Tasmania, Liffey Falls is without a doubt one of the most rewarding.

A side view of Liffey Falls and the surrounding forest

The trail begins in a large parking and picnic area, and passes through some beautiful tall ferns, myrtles and sassafras before joining the Liffey River. There are many cascades to stop at on the way down to the main falls, and on the way it is always possible to see many birds and perhaps even a platypus – as per this video I captured during one of my workshops there last year.

Map of the walking trail to Liffey Falls in Tasmania’s Great Western Tiers

The walk is around 30-40 minutes return, although I normally allow at least 3 hours when visiting with a workshop. After around 10 minutes walking, the first cascades are seen and shortly after this beautiful spout on the river is reached. There is a lot of smooth, flat rock in this section so it is not advisable to walk around out there in wet conditions. A lot of enjoyment can be had with compositions as the water swirls and flows, and the ferns in the distance invite the eye to look further into the images.

The Spout on the Liffey River, around half way to Liffey Falls itself

From here it is only another 10 minutes or so to the base of the fall, and it is well worth spending time here, perhaps even adding in time for lunch. This is one of Tasmania’s finest waterfalls, as the myriad cascades allow for all sorts of different compositions, and the fall itself is fringed by myrtles and ferns. Again, absolute care needs to be taken if you decide to wade around in the river itself.

Surrounded by rainforest, Liffey Falls is a perfect destination for photographers

Liffey Falls Tasmania

Beautiful reflection of the cascades, Liffey Falls

I visit Liffey Falls on most of my Cradle Mountain photography workshops, as it is a nice diversion on the drive to/from Hobart. You can see my upcoming workshops listed here.