The beautiful Myrtle Gully Falls are situated in the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington. The falls, on the Guy Fawkes Rivulet, are some fifteen minutes from the city centre.

To access the falls, proceed along Macquarie Street, turning right at the Cascade Brewery silos, onto Old Farm Road. The clearly marked track to Myrtle Gully Falls leaves from the parking bay at the end of Old Farm Road.

The two kilometre return walk is generally level, with some gentle slopes. The track passes through semi-rainforest vegetation, with bird songs filling the air, to a bridge at the base of the Myrtle Gully Falls. Surrounded by ferns and native trees, this lovely waterfall cascades down numerous tiers of moss-covered rock.

On our return from the waterfall, we took the Middle Island Fire Trail to the Grove of Giants, situated where the Main Fire Trail meets Strickland Avenue. This area is an important remnant of Tasmania’s giant stringybark (eucalyptus obliqua) and blue gum (eucalyptus globulus) forest. In the Grove of Giants, information boards describe three remarkable examples of these trees. The relaxing five kilometre walk offers the beauty of the Myrtle Gully Waterfall, and an insight into the ancient trees in the Grove of Giants. All this, within a short distance from Hobart’s city centre.

STAY HEAT SMART THIS SUMMER

With hot weather predicted across the state this summer, the Department of Health is urging Tasmanians to stay heat smart and know how to help themselves and others keep healthy and safe. “Hot summers increase the risk of heat-related illness – especially for those at higher risk such as pregnant women, older and very young Tasmanians, and people with chronic illnesses,” Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Scott McKeown said. Tasmanians can stay healthy and safe by following a few simple steps to reduce the chance of illness due to hot weather:

• Plan your day to minimise strenuous activities and time spent outside.
• Limit time in the sun and wear light coloured, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
• Use fans or air-conditioners and draw blinds and curtains to keep the heat out.
• Keep windows and doors closed if it’s hotter outside than inside.
• Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Never leave children or pets in cars. Keep them out of the sun with cool water to drink.
• Check on family, friends and neighbours especially if they are at higher risk.
• Know the symptoms and signs of heat-related illness and if needed seek medical advice from your GP or by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call 000 for help.

Symptoms of heat-related illness include: sweating heavily, having a raised body temperature, feeling dizzy or faint, headache, feeling tired and lethargic, reduced appetite, feeling thirsty and having a dry mouth, rapid heart rate, passing less urine than normal, being irritable and having difficulty thinking clearly, twitching or having muscle cramps in the arms, legs or abdomen. For further advice on how to stay heat smart this summer, go to www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/environmental-health/hot-weather-and-heatwaves.