The magnificent wilderness in Tasmania’s Huon Valley and Far South is ripe for on-foot adventure. There are a beautiful range of walks to choose from, located outside and inside the region’s national parks. Discover peace and quiet, beautiful landscapes, stunning views, and special flora and fauna. We’ve listed some of the best walks in the Huon Valley and Far South Tasmania (this is by no means an exhaustive list, rather a few of our top picks).
Safety tips:
- Read Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service’s Essential Bushwalking Guide and watch the informative short video.
- Check information on track, campsite and reserve closures and reopenings.
- Check the current conditions and adequately prepare.
- Drive to conditions and watch out for wildlife.
- Follow all signs and safety advice and don’t take unnecessary risks.
- Respect the environment and wildlife by sticking to pathways, taking only photos, and leaving no trace.
- Pop into the Visitor Information Centres at Huonville or Geeveston for current information and travel advice.
The Huon Valley
The Huon Valley is home to some of the best walks near Hobart (these tracks are all within a 1-hour drive of the city).
Walks under 1-hour return
The Billy Browns Falls walk is located on the northern hillside of Judbury. The 2.5 km / 1-hour return track winds through dry and wet sclerophyll forest. The falls themselves are particularly impressive after heavy rainfall.
Walks over 2 hours return
The Mount Misery walking track (5 km / 3 hrs return) begins at Huon Bush Retreats and explores the Mount Misery Habitat Reserve. Pause to read the interpretive panels along the way to learn about the area’s Aboriginal and natural values. The stunning reserve features open grasslands, acacia groves, rainforest, young eucalypt regrowth, and towering old-growth forest.
The track to Lake Skinner (6.5 km / 4–5 hours return) is suitable for experienced hikers. The lake is located within the Southwest National Park (remember your Parks Pass) but is accessed via Judbury. The solid, gradual climb through forest transitions to an alpine environment above the tree line. Enjoy magnificent views from the crest of the mountain range out over the Weld Valley and to the Southwest.
The Hartz Mountains National Park
The impressive glacier-carved Hartz Mountains National Park is accessed via Geeveston, in the Huon Valley. Walks range from easy strolls to more challenging hikes up to the peak (Parks Pass required).
Walks under 1-hour return
The 5-minute return walk to Waratah Lookout is a great introduction to the park. Gaze out at the old myrtle forest just below the lookout and enjoy amazing views across the Huon Valley to the Wellington Range. In December and January, the Tasmanian waratah is in flower—a festive red blaze!
The leisurely walk to Arve Falls (20 minutes return) is an easy, pleasant stroll. Follow the path of the Arve River through alpine herb field and snowgum woodland to the edge of the plateau. Signs along the way offer information about the landscape and its special plants.
The 40-minute return walk to Lake Osborne is a gentle uphill climb across the Hartz Plateau. The picturesque glacial lake is fringed with ancient King Billy Pines. Along the way, discover many varieties of forest and moorland, look out for the Devils Marbles (large boulders dumped onto the plateau by glaciers), and learn how fire and ice shaped the landscape.
Walks over 2 hours return
The 2-hour return walk to Lake Esperance treks through woodland and snow gums, up to the high country where cushion plants and ancient King Billy pines encircle the lake. Along the plateau, listen out for the haunting call of the mountain currawong.
Reasonably fit hikers can tackle the steep uphill climb to Hartz Pass (3.5 hours return) for an impressive view into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. For more adventure, continue on to the park’s highest point: Hartz Peak (total 5 hours return). On a clear day, the summit offers breathtaking views of the southwest. (Please note that the route is not clearly marked beyond Hartz Pass and extreme changes in weather can occur suddenly.)
Far South Tasmania
Tasmania’s beautiful Far South feels worlds away but is easily reachable via a 1–2-hour drive from Hobart.
At/near Hastings Caves State Reserve
When visiting Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs for a cave tour and float in the thermal pool, be sure to plan additional time for exploring the forest tracks. The short walk that starts near the pool is suitable for people who use wheelchairs (some assistance is needed at the beginning). The slightly longer Hot Springs Track leads to the place where the warm waters of one creek meet the cold waters of another—dip your hand in and feel the freaky temperature change!
The nearby walk to Duckhole Lake (4 km / 1.5 hours return) is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The track follows an old tramway for much of the way, winding through a forest of stringybarks and rainforest species as well as sections of tea tree swamp. The tranquil lake has a secret: it is actually a flooded sinkhole that forms part of the surrounding cave and karst landscape.
The walk to Adamsons Falls (6 km / 3 hours return) is located on the eastern edge of the Southwest National Park, near the Hastings Caves State Reserve. The track gradually climbs through the rainforest and steepens just before the falls, which are accessible at different levels via short side trails (be careful not to slip). Bird enthusiasts, keep an ear out for tricksy lyrebirds.
Near Dover
The Stringers Cove to Garrett’s Bight Track (6 km / 1.5–2 hours return) at Strathblane follows a 4WD track to a steep climb down onto rocky shoreline. Climb over large rocks to reach a deep, beautiful bay. Halfway along, take the left fork and visit The Pines via a short walk to a clearing along the shoreline.
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