About St Columba Falls
St Columba Falls is a 90-metre cascade waterfall located in the St Columba Falls State Reserve near Pyengana in north-east Tasmania, within the Break O'Day municipality. One of Tasmania's highest waterfalls, it plunges over granite cliffs surrounded by cool temperate rainforest. Accessed via a short rainforest walking track to a viewing platform, it is notable for its height, year-round flow and accessible forest setting off St Columba Falls Road.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a short rainforest walk from a car park to a viewing platform overlooking the 90-metre falls. The track passes through cool temperate rainforest with ferns, myrtle and sassafras, descending via steps to a lower lookout directly opposite the cascade. The setting is natural and forested with the sound of falling water, picnic facilities at the top car park, and no built commercial development at the falls itself.
Key highlights
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One of Tasmania's highest waterfalls at approximately 90 metres high
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Short 1.2 km return rainforest walking track to viewing platform
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Located within St Columba Falls State Reserve surrounded by cool temperate rainforest
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Dedicated lower viewing platform providing direct frontal views of the cascade
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Year-round flow with most impressive volume after rainfall
History of St Columba Falls
The falls are named after St Columba and the surrounding State Reserve was set aside for scenic protection. The Pyengana and north-east Tasmania region has a history of tin mining and forestry from the late 19th century, with the falls retained as a natural scenic reserve within that landscape.
Route
| By road | Located approximately 5 km north of Pyengana via St Columba Falls Road, off the Tasman Highway (A3) between Scottsdale and St Helens, about 25 km west of St Helens and about 100 km east of Launceston; sealed road to car park then short walking track. |
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