A Guide To Tasmania’s Most Popular Hikes, From 20-Minute Bushwalks To Epic Six-Day Adventures
Tasmania is famous for two things: good food and amazing natural scenery. While one of those things is pretty easy to access no matter what your fitness levels, the other can be a bit more touch and go.
The good news is, Tassie has stunning walks for everyone. Heck, you can even drive instead and still enjoy some pretty epic views. The better news (for hikers) is that other walks are a real challenge, and will even require you to hike with all your own gear.
We’ve ranked these — based on the grading given by Tassie Parks and length — from easiest to the hardest challenge so you can choose your fighter. Read on below for the best hikes in Tasmania.
#1 Cape Tourville
The details: 20 minutes, 600km, flat (grade 1), fees apply.
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Check out the famous lighthouse at the point, on this nice gentle stroll that’s suitable for everyone and is wheelchair-friendly. It’s the perfect choice if you want to gaze upon Freycinet National Park, but aren’t willing/able to complete one of its more difficult hikes. You’ll need a valid parks pass though.
#2 Evercreech Falls
The details: 20 minutes, 600km, flat (grade 2), free admission.
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This little nature reserve is perfect for all fitness levels, and worth a visit even if you love a longer hike. It’s home to the tallest white gum trees in the world, standing at over 90 metres high. The short bushland track takes you through forest and next to the South Esk River.
It’s a good spot for a picnic including a barbeque, and there is disabled access available.
#3 Pine Lake
The details: 30 minutes, 800m, flat (grade 1), no facilities.
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It might be an easy track, but it’ll get you close to Tasmania’s rarest trees, the pencil pine, which you can only find in Tassie’s highlands.
The entire track is a raised boardwalk, so it’s suitable for all walkers and is wheelchair accessible. You do need to be aware of the weather though, its 1200m altitude can result in severe weather conditions at any time year.
#4 Tamar Island
The details: 1.5 hours, 4km, flat (grade 1), entry by donation.
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Walk over a river and explore the wetlands that many species of water birds call home. An access-friendly boardwalk takes you right through the wetlands and over to the island, so it’s a good one for wheelchairs (although maybe not the island itself).
#5 Lake St Clair
The details: 45 mins-1.5 hours, 4.7km, a little steep (grade 2-3), fees apply.
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If the Overland Track feels a bit daunting, this max 1.5 hour walk in the last section of the longer hike gives you a little taste test of the views, but in an area that’s easy to walk. Take in the ethereal beauty of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park’s second icon.
#6 Maria Island Painted Cliffs trail
The details: 1.5-2.5 hours, 4.3km, a little steep (grade 3), fees apply.
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There are many trails to explore the picturesque Maria Island, but none so famous as the Painted Cliffs trail that’ll take you passed these striking rock formations. They might be short, but their colour and swirling pattern make them unforgettable.
You’ll need to time your walk for lower tide levels, and you should expect some steep sections.
#7 Crater Lake
The details: 2 hours, 5.7km, a little steep (grade 3), fees apply.
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Another good way to experience the Overland Track without the full commitment is this hike near the base of the famous Cradle Mountain. Loop around several, very different alpine lakes including Crater lake, created by glacial snow and ice.
While it’s still a bit steep in places, the elevation is a lot lower than many other parts of the Overland trail, so the weather can be a bit better.
#8 Wineglass Bay
The details: 2.5-3.5 hours, 6km, a little steep (grade 3), fees apply.
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We’ve all gotten FOMO from images of the bright blue waters and contrasting white sand of Wineglass Bay. This hike may have about 1000 stairs to contend with (2000 by the time you return), but the end views are totally worth it.
#9 Montezuma Falls
The details: 3 hours, 8km, mostly flat (grade 2), admission free.
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Walk along a former tramway and over tree-top suspension bridges through thick forest until you reach one of Tassie’s highest waterfalls — clocking in at 104m tall. It’s mostly pretty easy, so perfect if you’d like to find a longer walk that still won’t require too high a fitness level. Or, you know, if you just enjoy stunning nature.
#10 Dove Lake
The details: 2-3 hours, 6km, a little steep (grade 3), fees apply.
Another iconic Tassie scene is the little cabin at the edge of Dove Lake. The trails takes you around the circumference of this glacially carved lake right underneath Cradle Mountain, and through some pretty spectacular rainforest.
You’ll need to catch a shuttle bus to the start of the trail as private cars aren’t allowed in.
#11 South Cape Bay
The details: 4 hours, 15.4km, a little steep (grade 3), fees apply.
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Take a walk along the southernmost tip of Australia with this hike through the remote Southwest National Park. start from the tip and walk your back to the cliff above South Cape Bay, through woodland and open bush.
There are a few shuttle options to take you between the track and Hobart. Once your there, you’ll need reasonable fitness levels and knowledge of bushwalking.
#12 Three Capes
The details: 4 days, 48km, a little steep (grade 3), fees and bookings apply.
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Sure, you’ll have to camp, but this might just be the perfect foray into overnight hiking as it’s not too difficult (despite there being some steep sections) and you’ll get to sleep in cabins.
The journey begins at the Port Arthur Historic Site, where you’ll take a cruise to the start of the trail at Denmans Cove. From there you’ll hike through tall eucalypt forests, along beautiful coastlines and across Australia’s highest sea cliffs.
#13 Wukalina Walk
The details: 4 days, 33km, a little steep (grade 3), fees and bookings apply.
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The Bay Of Fires is where all those spectacular red rock photos come from. This hike is a little different, as an Indigenous-owned and operated guided walk. Tours depart from Launceston every Sunday at 9.30 am between late September/ early October until Easter.
#14 Overland Hike
The details: 5-6 days, Xkm, steep (grade 4), BYO all gear, fees and bookings apply.
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This might just be a hiking mecca, if you’re into the challenge of it all. Ancient rainforests, river gorges, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild alpine moorlands and glacial lakes: this multi-day trek has it all.
No matter what time of year you’re planning to go, you’ll need to be prepared for rainfall and even snow. This isn’t something you can wing, you’ll need to plan ahead and get your fitness up to scratch — even if you plan on joining a tour group. By golly, it’s worth it though.
This post was originally published on March 10th, 2021 and has since been updated.
