Ralphs Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in Tasmania. Here a thin stream of water drops over a sheer cliff to disappear into the dense forest more than 90 m below. The waterfall is located in the Mount Victoria Forest Reserve about an hour and a half’s drive northeast of Launceston.  

To get to Ralphs Falls, you can simply take the A3, also known as the Tasman Highway, northeast. Shortly before Branxholm you’ll find the turn-off to Ringarooma. The Ringarooma Road will take you first through Legerwood where, in 1918, nine trees were planted to commemorate young men from the area who were killed in World War I. When these trees became dangerously tall, they had to be chopped down but the massive trunks were then turned into beautiful wooden sculptures.

After Ringarooma, which is home to one of the oldest churches in Tassie’s North East, the vegetation changes from farmland to dense rainforest. Now you need to take the unsealed Forest Lodge Road through the Mount Victoria Forest Reserve and keep your eyes peeled for the Ralphs Falls parking area to your left. It’s small and easy to miss, so slow down.

From Hobart, a scenic alternative to driving to Launceston first is to take the Tasman Highway all along the East Coast to St Helens. From here you then head inland and take the turn-off for Pyengana. After Pyengana, you’ll find a turn-off to Ralph Falls just before you get to the nearby St Columba Falls.

From the Ralphs Falls parking lot, you can do a short walk directly to the viewing platform at the waterfall. It takes about 20 minutes there and back and the trail through the rainforest is easy, with some rough steps in places. Since you’ve come all this way, however, you may want to consider the circuit walk of 4 km, which takes about 50 minutes and offers great views of Cash’s Gorge too.

The waterfall is at its most spectacular after heavy rains but this means that the trail can be slippery too, so good hiking shoes are essential. It’s important to keep an eye on the kids too because there are dangerously steep cliffs. You may even bring your dog as long as it’s kept on leash.  

There are picnic and BBQ facilities at the parking lot while you’ll also find plenty of rural accommodation options in the area. There is no entry fee to visit Ralphs Falls.

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