Description
This trek covers a small section of South-West
Tasmania and begins in
Zeehan. The two main highlights of the trek are within the state forest being the tallest waterfall in
Tasmania that you will reach after travelling through rainforest, and the Ring River track that veers off the same track on your return journey that is significantly more challenging than the way you came in with muddy tracks and the crossing of a fast flowing river, which is the Ring River. The trip ends back on the main highway further NE of
Zeehan enroute to Rosberry/Tullah.
Interactive Route Map

Zeehan
Visiting Zeehan today, it is difficult to imagine that it was once a booming mining centre with a population of approximately 10,000.
Position: 145.3362ºE 41.8834ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access
Distance: 10.51km
Average Speed: 69.53km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access
This junction is at a place called Melba Flats (the name of nearby railway) along the main A10 highway. You will need to turn off the highway at this point onto dirt tracks. The start of the Montezuma Falls track is within the state forest - follows signboards all the way.
Features:

Position: 145.4039ºE 41.8429ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Creek Crossing
Distance: 6.23km
Average Speed: 11.73km/h
Features:

Position: 145.4403ºE 41.8418ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Montezuma Falls Track & Ring River Track
Distance: 4.08km
Average Speed: 15.93km/h
Montezuma Falls Track & Ring River Track
The junction marks an alternative route back out to the A10 highway via the Ring River track - note that this track is rated HARD for experienced 4WDrivers only and involves a deep river that needs to be travelled along for 50m before locating the exit on the other bank.
Features:

Position: 145.4588ºE 41.8369ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Creek Crossing
Distance: 0.96km
Average Speed: 15.02km/h
Creek Crossing
Both entry and exits are easy on a dry day. The track surface is rocky.
Features:

Position: 145.4577ºE 41.8443ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Creek Crossing
Distance: 1.24km
Average Speed: 12.28km/h
Features:

Position: 145.4662ºE 41.8398ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Montezuma Falls
Distance: 1.18km
Average Speed: 17.2km/h
Montezuma Falls
This particular point is 200m from the falls itself however this is the end of the vehicular track.
Features:

Position: 145.4745ºE 41.8368ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Creek Crossing
Distance: 1.18km
Average Speed: 17.2km/h
Features:

Position: 145.4662ºE 41.8398ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Creek Crossing
Distance: 1.24km
Average Speed: 12.28km/h
Creek Crossing
Both entry and exits are easy on a dry day. The track surface is rocky.
Features:

Position: 145.4577ºE 41.8443ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Montezuma Falls Track & Ring River Track
Distance: 0.96km
Average Speed: 15.02km/h
Montezuma Falls Track & Ring River Track
The junction marks an alternative route back out to the A10 highway via the Ring River track - note that this track is rated HARD for experienced 4WDrivers only and involves a deep river that needs to be travelled along for 50m before locating the exit on the other bank.
Features:

Position: 145.4588ºE 41.8369ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Ring River Crossing
Distance: 3.19km
Average Speed: 9.47km/h
Ring River Crossing
This river crossing requires driving through the river for 50m to cross from side to side - the exits are not opposite one-another. After heavy rain, the crossing may be impassible as it could be too fast flowing.
Features:

Position: 145.4646ºE 41.8164ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track
Distance: 2.88km
Average Speed: 12.74km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track
The Ring River Track exits onto the A10 (Murchison Highway). Turn left to Zeehan, or turn right to Rosebery/Tullah. Clearly signposted. This point is 0.6km north of the Ring River.
Features:

Position: 145.4552ºE 41.7946ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access (via Walk)
Distance: 7.7km
Average Speed: 58.05km/h
Features:

Position: 145.5302ºE 41.7900ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Rosebery
Distance: 1.75km
Average Speed: 49.53km/h
Rosebery
Founded in 1883, Rosebery was named after Tom MacDonald’s company – The Rosebery Gold Mining Company. Today this small mining town, surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls, is home to around 1500 people with the Pasminco mine being one of the big producers in Tasmania.
Position: 145.5383ºE 41.7794ºS (GDA 94)
Things to See & Do
Montezuma Falls - TAS
This particular point is 200m from the falls itself however this is the end of the vehicular track.
Preparation
The
Montezuma Falls vehicular track is not a difficult 4WD track, however drivers will require constant concentration and care at the numerous river crossings that occur at base of hairpin turns at base of steep sections. Drivers should be wary of oncoming traffic and should use an
UHF radio to warn other drivers of your presence. It is suggested that
UHF radio 10 be used to transmit your callsign followed by "Montezuma" every 10 minutes to notify others in the vicinty of your presence - you should therefore be scanning all stations or at least Channel 10.
The Ring River Track however is significantly more challenging and should only be attempted by drivers that possess both experience, and a vehicle that has been prepared for deep river crossings. Travel in convoy along this section of track is highly recommended in case of the need for recovery as there is every chance of getting bogged in mud, or having dramas at the river crossing. During the peak summer tourits season over the Xmas holiday period, there should be sufficient drivers along the track to ensure that those with a
UHF radio should be able to make contact with others nearby if additional help is required.
Trailers of any sort are definately not suitable for this trip - mostly due to the fact that there is no turning bay at the end of the track at the falls and there is very little room on the narrow single lane track for oncoming vehicles to pass one-another.
We have provided an alternative return route from the end of the Montezuma Track - exiting the Montezuma Track along the River River Track which meets the
Murchison Highway. Note - this is much more difficult track and involves the crossing of the Ring River which can hold significant fast flowing water after rain. Much of the track is eroded and rutted and after rain is quite challenging.
There is no
camping or facilities along either of these tracks and drivers should be fully self-sufficient. This should be planned as a day trip only.
Fuel Supplies & Usage
 | Zeehan, Rosebery |
Diesel | 4cyl 6 litres |
ULP | 4cyl 7 litres |
LPG | 4cyl 9 litres |
| 6cyl 7 litres | 6cyl 8 litres | 6cyl 8 litres |
| 8cyl 7 litres | 8cyl 7 litres | |
Usage is averaged from
TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Best Time To Visit
All year (avoid particularly wet periods as rain may close
Montezuma Falls track)
Closest Climatic Station
Strahan Aerodrome
Distance from Trek Mid Point 37.46km S
| | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Mean Max. °C |
20.6 | 21.4 | 19.3 | 16.5 |
14.2 | 12.6 | 12.3 | 13.2 |
14.2 | 16.0 | 17.7 | 19.1 |
| Mean Min. °C |
10.6 | 11.1 | 9.7 | 8.3 |
7.4 | 5.8 | 5.2 | 5.9 |
6.2 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 9.5 |
| Mean Rain mm |
92.4 | 63.7 | 99.2 | 111.9 |
136.0 | 164.9 | 168.6 | 168.1 |
152.8 | 126.5 | 94.8 | 90.6 |
Best time to travel Ok time to travel Travel NOT recommended
Services & Supplies
The following locations have various services and supplies:
Zeehan,
Rosebery
Camp Sites & Accomodation
No
camping at the falls or anywhere along the track. This would be impossible due to the terrain.
Environment
Montezuma Falls is the tallest in
Tasmania at 104 metres. The Montezuma Track traverses through rainforest and is often wet and slippery. Light rain is typical for most of the year. Even in summer, good wet
weather gear is essential along with warm clothing and sturdy footwear.
History
This track follows the old North East
Dundas Railway formation that was first opened in 1898. You may see some remains of the collapsed trestle bridge in the valley along the way. Comprised of 2ft gauge line, it carried steam trains hauling ore between Williamsford and smelters south of
Zeehan, having first been hauled from the Hercules Mine on Mt
Reid. In 1929 the line ceased operation.
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.