New Town Falls Track

New Town Falls Track climbs through eucalypt forest in the kunanyi foothills at Lenah Valley, Hobart, following New Town Rivulet up to a multi-tier waterfall. It is a 4km return walk, steep in sections, and one of the closer mountain walks to central Hobart where dogs are welcome on lead.

The walk

The walk starts as a well-formed 4WD track and narrows into a steeper, rougher path as it nears the falls. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours return. Junction Cabin sits partway along as a rest spot, though it can get busy on weekends.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on lead, with a maximum leash length of 2 metres, under rules set by the Wellington Park Management Trust. The track sits within the park's Recreation Zone, where dog walking is generally permitted, but some individual tracks within Wellington Park carry extra restrictions beyond the general leash rule.

Max: stick to the main formed track rather than any side trails you spot on the way up. Wellington Park has a patchwork of rules across its network, and the signage at the junctions is where you will find out if a particular spur is off-limits for dogs.

Check the signage at the trailhead before you set off, since local closures or side-track exclusions are not always obvious from the main car park.

Water

The track follows New Town Rivulet for most of its length and the falls themselves are the main draw. Flow is seasonal, running strongest after heavy rain and dropping low in dry spells, so do not rely on it for a swim or reliable drinking water. Carry water for your dog regardless of the season.

Watch-outs

The path is muddy and steep close to the falls, with slippery rock underfoot, so sturdy footwear helps. Avoid it just after heavy rain when sections are at their worst; a day or two later gives good water flow without the worst of the mud.

Getting there

From central Hobart, head north via Elizabeth Street, turn left onto Augusta Road for about 2km, then follow Lenah Valley Road to its end, where the trailhead car park sits. Public transport does not reach this end of the road, so driving is the practical option.

Close by with the dogs

If you want a flatter option before or after the climb, Girrabong Park offers easier walking nearby, and John Turnbull Park Fenced Dog Park is a good spot for an off-lead run once the leash comes off after the trail. More walks are on the Tasmania trail guide and the Lenah Valley destination page.

When to go

Aim for a clear morning shortly after rain, when the falls are running and the track has had a chance to firm up. This walk suits fit dogs and confident walkers who do not mind a steep, sometimes muddy climb, rather than seniors or dogs unsteady on rough ground.