Halls Falls lie on the Groom River, near Pyengana, Tasmania, Australia. A short walking track leads to the falls, with branches leading to a few other features along the Groom River and in the nearby forest.
Getting there
Unless you live in the town of Lottah (and, if you do, you don’t need directions to Halls Falls), the best route to Halls Falls is along the Tasman Highway. Drive to the junction with Anchor Road, and turn north there. The car park is on the east side of Anchor Road – on the right, if you are driving north.
Tracks
The tracks were in good condition and had clear directions. They kept fairly level except for the steep descent to the base of the falls.
Halls Falls
Halls Falls themselves were a modest cascade. When we visited in the morning, sunlight illuminated them from behind. The falls and the surrounding section of the Groom River were picturesque, with room to walk up and down the river bank.
Rock Pools
The other track from the falls junction contoured around the hillside until it reached a higher section of the Groom River. A rock barrier here formed a series of small pools. Further upstream there was an old weir and a nearby dam.
Loop Walk
On the loop walk back to the car park, four signs announced features of the forest. The audience for these appeared to be children who might be too small for longer walks. The features are shown here in the order seen while returning to the car park.
Plants
The track to Halls Falls started in dry eucalypt forest. It became wetter wherever it approached the Groom River. Ferns, mosses and fungi were all common near the river.
Video
This video follows the Groom River downstream to the base of Halls Falls. The first scenes were taken at the bridge where Anchor Road crosses Groom River, and the rest is in the reverse of the order that walkers experience this walk.
This video is silent. The camera captured too much wind noise, so we muted it. Please do not adjust your volume.
Facilities
| Latest visit | 1st May 2022 |
|---|---|
| Road | Unsealed for one kilometre along Anchor Road |
| Parking | Large |
| Shelter | Yes |
| Toilets | No (On the highway, the nearest public toilets are at Derby and St Helens. A closer set are at St Columba Falls. Or, for most convenience, go to Pyengana and shop at the Holy Cow Café.) |
Opinions
Walking Stick
This was a relatively easy and well made loop walk. The foot pad to the top of the falls was a fairly easy gradient, but getting down to the river at the base of the falls was steep and difficult. That section is not recommended for walking sticks, even though it is probably the best part of the walk.
Ambler
Walked for 2:30, visiting all the labelled locations once. Descended to the base of the falls first, visited the rock pools second, returned via the loop walk third. Enjoyed all parts of the walk.
Racewalker
Didn’t go very fast on this walk because there were a lot of things to stop and look at. The track to the lookout above the falls was good and the weir beyond it was interesting. The descent to the base of the falls was steep but worth the effort. Although it was not a high fall, the area at the base was great just to enjoy the ambience. The extra loop walk was easy, although less interesting than the falls walk.
Revisited the base a few months later while on a 25 kilometre walk from Blue Tier to St Columba Falls just because its such a nice spot.
Should I visit?
Yes, for most people. While Halls Falls themselves are modest, the assortment of other features makes up for that. People with serious mobility concerns should not attempt the steep steps to the base of the falls, but may find the rock pools or loop walk justify the visit.
While in the area, consider visiting St Columba Falls as well.
On maps, Anchor Road looks like an efficient route up Blue Tier. Be aware that it becomes rough, narrow and steep as it approaches Lottah. If you are in a two-wheel-drive vehicle, consider taking the east end of Lottah Road instead, despite its greater length.
Is it ok in a normal car or 4 wheel drive ?
Hello Annette, we reached the Halls Falls car park in a two-wheel-drive car. The final kilometre from the Tasman Highway along Anchor Road is unsealed but has been in good condition each time we have visited. For cars with unusually low wheelbases it would be possible to park on the Tasman Highway and walk along Anchor Road, adding a kilometre to both the start and end of the walk.