Tasmania · Attraction
Guide Falls Reserve
A plunging cascade in easy reach
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
About 17 kilometres south of Burnie near the township of Ridgley, Guide Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the Burnie hinterland and one of the most photographed natural features on the North-West Coast. A short, easy walking track follows the Guide River to the base of the falls, where a single-plunge cascade of roughly 25 metres fills the air with mist and sound. The reserve is free to enter, open year-round, and equipped with picnic and barbecue facilities at both the lower and upper levels.
The walking track from the lower car park is approximately 200 metres return and is graded suitable for families with young children. A second path climbs a series of steeper steps to an upper viewing platform, offering a bird's-eye perspective over the falls; the upper level is also accessible by car via a separate entry road and is wheelchair accessible. Guide Falls flows year-round but is at its most spectacular in winter and spring when rainfall is highest.
The reserve also features toilet facilities, shaded picnic areas, and a large car park suitable for caravans and campervans. Dogs on a leash are welcome. There is no public transport to the reserve, so visitors will need their own vehicle; the drive south from Burnie through dairy farmland and softwood plantations is scenic in its own right. Entry is free at all times.
Scenic views
