Bushwalking in Tasmania: 12 of the Best Day-Walks

The mountainous island state of Tasmania offers probably Australia’s best hiking. It’s the only place in the country where you can find a high concentration of pointy rugged mountains for a start. There are many plants and animals unique to Tasmania, and this wildlife tends to be more visible than in the south-eastern states of the mainland. The landscape is also unique, with a variety of vegetation from rainforest to alpine heath, many attractive waterfalls, and a lot of rock on offer, including sometimes extensive boulder fields (I’m a particular fan of boulder hopping).

The Walks On Offer

Most day-hikes can be accessed on day-trips from either Hobart, the state’s historic capital, or a number of the towns in the north. You can drive from one end of the island to the other in 6 to 7 hours, so nothing is too far away. There are plenty of mountain peaks to bag, but also great coastal and forest walks. The mountains are of a modest height, (up 1600m of elevation), but they are rugged and picturesque.

Those looking for multi-day hikes can do the famous Overland Track, or any number of challenging walks in the World Heritage listed South-West Wilderness. You can hike all year round, although be prepared for sometimes wild weather at any time of year.

I’ve visited Tassie on three occasions, and did lots of great day-hikes. My photos from these walks proved to be popular on Instagram, perhaps a combination of Tasmania’s unique beauty, and it being less well known than other fabulous places like New Zealand. First up are my five favourites – absolute classics – then seven more which are also great walks. Click on a title to view my blog post on each walk.

My Top Five Day-Hikes in Tasmania

1) Mt Anne

South-West National Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Hard

This is probably the most spectacular Australian walk I’ve done to date. There are knock your hiking socks off views all the way along the track to the summit of Mt Anne (1423m) in Tasmania’s remote Southwest National Park. Huge lakes, rugged cliffs, mountain peaks, alpine plants, and more boulders than you can shake your walking poles at.

With a 1420m change in elevation it’s also a good work out. The final climb to the summit is through shear cliffs and not for those afraid of heights. Even if you don’t do this last bit though it’s well worth walking to their base across a large expanse of boulders. Really good walking.

2) Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park; day-trip from the north

Difficulty: Hard (Summit return: Moderate)

Climbing Cradle Mountain (1545m) is one of the best day walks in Australia, and making a circuit of it by returning along the Face Track and by the Twisted Lakes maximises your scenery. There are excellent views pretty much the whole way. These include views of the mountain from various angles, of numerous lakes, and extensive views from the rocky summit.

The walk is justifiably popular, but not so much as to ruin the experience. Also, the crowds really thinned once we set off on the return portion of the walk along the Face Track. So get on out there!

3) Barn Bluff

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park; day-trip from the north

Difficulty: Hard

The rocky summit of Barn Bluff (1559m) pops up out of an alpine plateau and cuts a striking figure. I first saw it from the summit of Cradle Mountain on a trip to Tasmania in 2008, and although it looks quite remote, it can in fact be climbed on a longish day walk: one of Tasmania’s best. 

Most of the route follows the first section of the world famous Overland Track, so you can be sure there’s quality scenery on offer. It’s a great option if you want a spectacular walk with less people than Cradle Mountain, which you pass along the way.

4) Walls of Jerusalem to Solomons Throne

Walls of Jerusalem National Park; day-trip from the north

Difficulty: Hard

You can only experience the top class scenery of the Walls of Jerusalem by walking in, so it’s a lot quieter than nearby Cradle Mountain. Once you have ascended up through eucalypt forest the alpine scenery starts with numerous tarns, Richea Scoparia (past flowering stage when we visited, but still nice), pencil pines, cliffs, and the cutest, fluffiest wallabies you could ever hope to meet. We chose to walk up the peak known as Solomons Throne (1470m), but if you have time you can also ascend The Temple (1446m) and Mount Jerusalem (1459m). Nearby King Davids Peak (1499m) provides some good photo opportunities. It’s all very biblical.

5) Meander Falls – Split Rock Circuit

Meander Forest Reserve near Deloraine; day-trip from the north

Difficulty: Hard (Meander Falls return: Moderate)

The Meander Falls and Split Rock Tracks are hidden gems offering quintessential Tasmanian scenery without the crowds, and were one of the highlights of my trip to Tasmania in 2019. Expect beautiful forest and rivers, impressive waterfalls, cliffs, and boulders galore. And all of this variety on a convenient circuit walk with a nice toilet at the start.

I may have enjoyed this walk so much because it’s not famous, and so I didn’t expect that much from it. But I’m looking forward to doing it again some day, and there are variations to consider, such as climbing up onto the escarpment near Meander Falls.

Best of the Rest in Tasmania

6) Cape Raoul

Tasman National Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Long but mostly flat

We did the Cape Raoul Track on our first trip to Tasmania in 2008, and I remember it being a great walk. The deeply textured cliffs are a highlight, made up largely of dolerite columns. There may also be seals basking on the rocks below, as there were on the day we did this walk.

A similar but shorter alternative is the nearby Cape Hauy Track. And if you want something longer then consider the guided only Three Capes multi-day walk.

7) Hartz Peak – Mount Snowy

Hartz Mountains National Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Hard (Hartz Peak return: Moderate)

The route to Hartz Peak (1254m) and Mount Snowy (1160m) makes for excellent walking, with a variety of alpine plants, rugged peaks, and extensive views. It also seems a bit less popular than some areas, so you won’t encounter any crowds. You’ll certainly want to plan for sometimes wild and changeable weather mind you, but that will be all part of the adventure.

8) Mt Roland & Mt Van Dyke

Mt Roland Regional Reserve; day-trip from the north

Difficulty: Hard (Mt Roland return: Moderate)

This was another lesser known Tasmanian walk to exceed expectations. Mt Roland is an impressively rocky and quite prominent mountain range, and the circuit taking in Mt Vandyke is varied. It starts in lush forest and then rises onto an alpine plateau, passes boulder fields, and visits two rocky peaks which both require a bit of a scramble. The return track is very steep but this adds to the sense of adventure. There are excellent 360 degree views from the summit of Mt Roland, so plan to do this walk on a clear day.

9) Collinsvale Peaks

Wellington Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Hard (One peak at a time: Moderate)

The area west of Hobart known as Wellington Park is an alpine plateau that contains a number of accessible peaks over 1000m of elevation. It’s possible to climb three of these peaks in one day – Collins Bonnet (1246m), Trestle Mountain (1160m), and Collins Cap (1098m). And you’ll probably have these peaks all to yourself.

The initial climb is through attractive rainforest where tree ferns are flourishing. The walking is then mostly through forest or woodland. You pass through the tree line on the way up each mountain, and from each peak there are unobstructed views of the surrounding area.

10) Tarn Shelf & Lake Webster Circuit

Mt Field National Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Moderate-Hard

The Tarn Shelf & Lake Webster circuit in Tasmania’s Mt Field National Park is a very picturesque alpine walk. As the name suggests it passes by many tarns and lakes. And there are also fabulous pandani plants, age old pencil pines, and a historic ski hut to boot.

11) Mt Amos

Freycinet National Park; East Coast

Difficulty: Short but steep

Wineglass Bay in Tasmania is one of Australia’s most photographed beaches, and the best views are from the summit of Mt Amos (454m). We did this walk on our first trip to Tasmania in 2008, so I don’t remember it very well. Nevertheless, after reviewing my old photos I realise it’s an excellent walk with large rocky sections, great views, and steep enough to be a bit adventurous. 

12) Mt Wellington

Wellington Park; day-trip from Hobart

Difficulty: Moderate (longer circuits could be ‘Hard’)

Climbing kunanyi / Mt Wellington (1271m) is a must-do for any hiker visiting Hobart. It’s just a 15 minute drive to the foot of the mountain, and is also accessible by public transport. The summit provides great views over the city and Derwent Estuary. You can drive to these views, but there’s a network of good walking tracks allowing for a few different circuits. So I recommend strapping your boots on and doing it the hard (but fun) way.

More Information

If you want more information on Tasmania’s national parks then check out the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service website. And for more things to do in Tassie, visit Discover Tasmania.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker. View all posts by Edward Hathway