It strikes me now I never did clear up in the introduction why this hike is called "Montezuma Falls". I think the falls part is self explanatory when you understand this references a waterfall. So now ruling out the possibility of a tragic battle ground for a tremendously, dislocated Aztec warrior, what are we left with? Well the answer is a great deal more mundane but does at least involve the discovery of gold.
Three things attracted me to this walk; 1) the name, 2) having been listed on Tasmania's top 60 short walks list and 3) featuring Tasmania's highest, single drop, cascade. It's kind of like having the biggest "insert thing" in the world but only in the southern hemisphere. It's significant but not as significant as the biggest waterfall in Tasmania. Don't let this last point deter you, there's one thing Tasmanian's are blessed by and that's the great outdoors. So if it's on their short-list for best walks you're unlikely to be disappointed and I sure wasn't.
This is a regrowth forest that feels like an old growth forest; Myrtle Beech, Leatherwood, Blackwood and Sassafras hug the trail like a roided version of The Hobbit, complete with bearded moss dangling from outstretched branch and limb.
The trail is an old tramway track that looks like Marcus Pamplin from Bellerive Oval gets up and rolls first break of light each day. It's pavement flat and allows you to spend maximum ogle time appreciating the environment around you. Small waterfalls cascade with regularity in the lead-up to Montezuma often framed by large tree ferns providing plenty of camera fodder.
While the cakewalk is terrific the cherry on top is Montezuma itself. Be careful keeping your smartphone out too long in dank, drizzly conditions. They might be water resistant but finding the balance between resistant and proof can be a delicate conundrum, as I was to discover with my iPhone warning me of water ingress for the remainder of our Tassie visit (in case you're wondering it's now in remission).
Best 60 Short Walks in Tasmania: parks.tas.gov....
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1 окт 2024
