The most popular National Park in Tasmania, Mount Field National Park is about half an hour west of the leafy town of New Norfolk. Here is a very special part of Tasmania - the high country with its tall trees, thundering waterfalls, pandani-fringed lakes and even ski fields at the right time of year.

One of the Park's glistening attractions is practically at the entrance gate. It is that famous cascade of water called Russell Falls, second only to Port Arthur as the most visited spot in the State.

Getting there couldn't be easier. You stroll a mere ten minutes on a wheelchair accessible track through a wet forest lined with tree ferns - your ears tell you before your eyes do that the Falls must be near. Stand on the little wooden bridge to admire the view (best photographed in the morning), then continue on up a steeper track to reach the top of the Falls.

There is also a second cascade there, appropriately named the Horseshoe Falls for its distinctive shape. Lady Barron Falls is another hour along the track. From Horseshoe Falls, it's only a further 15 minutes to the site of a brand new tall trees interpretation walk, your chance to stand at the base of one of these 70 metre high giants and learn why they do so well here. On the micro side of things, have a look amongst the rotting logs on the forest floor for colourful outcroppings of tiny fungus.

Just 2 kilometres up the road is the Tall Trees Nature Walk, one kilometre of easy walking amongst some 85 metre tall giants of the natural world. These are swamp gums, the largest flowering plants on earth. A series of fascinating interpretive signs explain why the trees grow so well here, and how early visitors reacted to discovering this forest.

There are two very distinct environments in this 16,257 hectare park - one is the lush wet forest with its ferns and its waterfalls. The other is found about 16kms up a winding unsealed road to the high country around Lake Dobson.

This is a world of windswept plains, rugged rock scree, bizarre dinosaur-era plants and jewel like lakes. It can also get quite cold here virtually at any time of the year. You'll enjoy it best if you dress to stay warm.

Start your jaunt by circumnavigating Lake Dobson via the Pandani Grove Nature Walk. Stands of hardy pencil pines and the eerie looking pandani plants are the chief attractions of this easy half hour walk. Not far away is the track to the Platypus Tarn and Lakes Seal and Webster, ideal examples of the effect of ancient glacial scooping and sculpting. In autumn, the tarn shelf, ablaze with the oranges and golds of the endemic fagus (deciduous beech) is a must. The blaze of colour rivals the maples of Quebec in October, and that is saying something.

If the weather is being kind and the legs are willing, take one of the longer walks to Mount Field or even further to Mount Field West. These peaks are both accessible over fairly easy tracks, but take lots of warm clothing, food and a tent.

Not far from Mount Field is one of those deliciously rewarding destinations that even the locals don't know about. It's Marriotts Falls State Reserve just west of the park border and accessible from the tiny village of Tyenna. After a half hour's rainforest walk, you arrive at the base of a majestic but seldom visited waterfall ringed by huge tree ferns. Take a picnic lunch and sit up on a boulder to watch the water roaring before you.

There is a camping area with powered and unpowered sites, toilets, showers and laundry. Booking not necessary. The sub-alpine region of the park also offers some basic six-bunk cabins.

For further information phone (002) 88 1149.

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