walks & nature trails
If you enjoy walking in nature's wonders, Mole Creek is an ideal base. Below is a little information about some of the walks and nature trails close by.
Westmorland falls
These beautiful falls were recognised as a major attraction in earlier editions of the Lonely Planet Guide. Located in unspoiled rainforest, they only take one hour to reach from the carpark and you will pass multiple smaller falls along the way.
Access to the track is via Caveside Road (C169), about 5 minutes from Mole Creek.
Parsons Track
Parsons Track offers a 6-hour return walk from foothills to sandstone rock. If you don’t want to walk the whole way, shorter walks will take you to signposted landmarks along the track: Hills Logging Hut (2 hours return), Norms Spring and Lofty Lookout (3 hours return) and Haberles Hut (4 hours return).
The track is about a 10-minute drive from Mole Creek. Access is via Caveside Road (C169). Take a right onto Pool Road, left onto Fernleigh Road and right onto Parsons Road.
Lobster Falls
Take a 2-hour return walk through forest to Lobster Falls’ lower cascade. The track follows a route high above the river before dropping down steeply to the river bank. A side track will take you to the upper cascade and another to a ledge overlooking the lower falls. The start of this walk is signposted on road B12 near the top of the rise, following a long, straight section of road east of Chudleigh.
Lobster Falls is about a 10-minute drive from Mole Creek.
Rinadeena Falls
This easy 2-hour return walk features spectacular forests and young myrtle. The track is easy, following old logging roads up the valley and across the swiftly-flowing Little Fisher River. After about 20 minutes of walking, the track leaves the roads and begins to climb gently up the valley, following the course of the river.
The Rinadeena Falls walk is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Mole Creek village, located in the upper Mersey Valley.
Western Creek Tracks
Westrope Road at Western Creek gives access to several tracks that climb the face of the Great Western Tiers and offer magnificent views along the way. These include:
Higgs Track, leading to Lady Lake and the restored Lady Lake Mountain Hut (3-hour return)
Western Creek Track
Syds Track (2-hour return)
Mother Cummings Peak Track (3-hour return)
Getting There: The Western Creek Tracks are an approximately 15-minute drive from Mole Creek. Take Caveside Road (C169) until you see the sign for Western Creek. Turn right and follow the road to Westrope Road.
Meander Forest Reserve
Enjoy a full day’s walk to Meander Falls (5-6-hours’ return) where you can experience Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area – and possibly not see a single person!
Other walks within the Meander Forest Reserve include:
Chasm Falls and Zig-Zag Rock Track (3-4 hours)
Split Rock Track (2-3 hours)
Stone Hut/Bastion Cascade Circuit (5-6 hours)
Getting There: Meander Forest Reserve is an approximately 20-minute drive from Mole Creek. Access is via Western Creek to Meander, then follow the signs to Meander Forest Reserve. A bush toilet and shelter hut is located at the car park.
Mt Roland Walk Tracks
Mt Roland Walk Tracks is about a 4-hour (10 km) return walk. Starting at Gowrie Park, the track will take you to the summit of Mt Roland, the huge rugged mountain seen at the western end of the valley that Mole Creek lies in. The walk begins in forest and has a moderate incline, following a 4WD track for the first section and passing by a couple of waterfalls and creeks. Once you reach the log bridge across O’Neill’s Creek, the track narrows and starts to climb. A 30-minutes’ climb will bring you to the saddle at 900 feet, from which point you can see Reggie Falls. A 1-hour track to the left will take you to the summit of Mt Roland, which rises gently across the plateau. At the summit you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree views to Bass Strait, Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff. There is also a steeper and more difficult 6.5 km track to the summit from Kings Road (about 4-hours’ return).
“The wilderness can be a harsh and unforgiving place – unwary bushwalkers have lost their lives by not respecting it. Careful planning is essential and Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania offers these Plan to be Safe Bushwalking in Tasmania Guidelines.”
Getting There: The Mt Roland Walk Tracks are approximately 1 hour from Mole Creek. Access to the tracks is from the north side of the mountain. Take the B12/C138 towards Cradle Mountain until you get to the Sheffield-Cradle Mountain Road (C136). Turn right toward Sheffield. For the easier track, take a right just past Gowrie Park onto O’Neill’s Road where, after about 1km, there is a carpark marking the start of the track. For the more difficult track, continue further along C136 to Claude Road and turn right onto Kings Road.
There is also a track to the summit of Mt Roland that starts from the Mt Roland Lookout parking area, located before you reach the C136 at about the 650m level. The parking area is on Olivers Road (C138).
To return to Mole Creek by a different route, turn right out of O’Neill’s Road or Kings Road toward Sheffield, and then right onto road C137. This will take you on a scenic drive across the Gog Range, rejoining the B12 5km west of Mole Creek.
Liffey falls
There are two walking tracks through beautiful rainforest to Liffey Falls, which is part of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. The 45-minute return walk from the top carpark offers picnic facilities. The alternative track from the lower carpark has minimal facilities and is longer and less-developed. Access to the upper track from Mole Creek is via Deloraine or Western Creek to Lake Highway, then Riversdale Road (just follow the signs).
Liffey Falls is an approximately 35-minute drive from Mole Creek.
Quamby Bluff Track
A steep walk to the top of Quamby Bluff is rewarded with 360-degree views of the Great Western Tiers. On a clear day you can see as far as Launceston and Devonport. The walk is about 4-5 hours’ return.
Getting There: Quamby Bluff Track is an approximately 25-minute drive from Mole Creek. Access is via Deloraine or Western Creek and Lake Highway.
Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain National Park offers a wonderful range of walks. If you're looking for a day trip with a half-day’s walk, then Cradle Mountain is your go-to. Even the 1.5-hour drive is stunningly scenic. Dove Lake Circuit is a must do and our particular favourite is the Enchanted Walk starting near the Visitors Centre.
Getting There: Read more information about Cradle Mountain below
Fern Glade Walk
This short (30-minute return), all-weather walk starts at the Marakoopa Cave ticket office and leads to the cave entrance, following the creek as it tumbles down the hillside from inside the cave itself. You can enjoy this walk on its own, or as a part of your cave experience; just give yourself 15 minutes before your tour departure time and leave your car at the ticket office carpark, rather than driving up to the cave entrance.
Getting There: Fern Glade Walk is about 15 minutes from Mole Creek. Drive west on B12 until you see the sign for Marakoopa Cave. Continue to the ticket office.
The Upper Mersey Valley
The Walls of Jerusalem National Park is the highlight of the Upper Mersey Valley and is considered to be one of Tasmania’s most beautiful wilderness areas.
Getting There: The Upper Mersey Valley is about a 50-minute drive from Mole Creek. Drive west on B12 to Mersey Forest Road and follow the signs to the Walls of Jerusalem. The road is sealed as far as Lake Parangana.
The park offers a range of walks:
Gadds Falls Track – A 30-minute return walk that follows Gadds Creek as it tumbles down to the Mersey River. A series of small cascades lead to Gadds Falls.
Arm River Forest Reserve – Multiple walks through forest and along the river to Arm Falls
Lees Paddocks Track – Starts at the south end of Lake Rowallan (4-hour return)
Chalice Falls Track – A 6-hour return walk starting at the end of Mersey Forest Road, past Lees Paddocks
Rinadeena Falls Track – A wonderful 4-hour return walk. Turn off Mersey Forest Road into Dublin Plains Road, then into Fisher Road.