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TASMANIA MAP GUIDE

a pictorial guide to Tasmania's natural attractions

 

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MEANDER WALK
MEANDER TIERS

 

 


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MEANDER FALLS

The Great Western Tiers

NOTE: 30cm of rain fell on the slopes of The Great Western Tiers in a few hours on 14th January 2011. Several bridges and roads have been washed away. Access to Meander Falls and Bastion Cascades has been cut off and requires a long walk along the roads from the bridge between Smoko Road and Quarry Road. See the map.

 

THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRIDGES WAS COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2015

 

A comfortable 1 hours drive from Launceston or Devonport is the start of the Meander Falls Walk.  One of the Tasmanian great walks.  The track is quite rocky.  As such there is little mud to negotiate.  The walk is relentlessly uphill for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.  The only respite is the last 20 minutes or so which crosses a short plateau past vast amounts of rocky scree. The falls form two tiers as they descend through a rocky chasm. They are especially spectacular after frosty spells in winter and spring when sections of the falls can freeze and form huge icicles.

We came across a group of Enthusiastic young walkers from Smithton, Dave, Andrew, Nicole and Bec on the Meander Falls track. The 2nd of June 2008 on a  perfect early winters day.

 

 
 

 

 

The uphill climb has its scenic benefits.  Rising quickly, the vegetation changes considerably with the altitude.  For example, examples of Tree Fern are only prevalent for the first 30 minutes of the walk.  The walk follows the Meander River virtually all the way apart for a steep section near where the track reaches the plateau.  About half an hour from the base of the falls.  You will no doubt want plenty of breaks before reaching here.

 

The track passes about 50 metres east of the river and in most places high above it.  However, there are plenty of opportunities to take pictures which can only be describes as pristine.  The temptation is great to stop.  It is best to take them on the way up.  The descent can be bone crunching.