Tasmania
The smallest of Australia’s States, but the biggest offering of walks and walking holidays. Tourism is Tasmania’s biggest industry and not least because 45% of it lies in nature reserves, national parks and state forests. Obviously, a walker’s dream destination.
The mountainous central region is home to Australia’s best known multi-day walk, The Overland Track, and numerous other remote and challenging trails.
The east coast is the sheltered side of the island and boasts a string of world class coastal walks, including the Three Capes Track, the Bay of Fires and the walks on Freycinet Peninsula and Maria Island.
The west coast and the south west are sparsely inhabited wilderness regions. Those that long for the remote and wild will be drawn to this region’s South Coast Track and Frenchman’s Cap Track.
Walking related tourism is more developed in Tasmania than anywhere else in Australia. The State government has been strongly supportive for many years, meaning tracks and facilities are of a high standard and there are long-established and highly experienced walking tour operators. So the options for walkers are many and varied.
Some of the best walking regions in Tasmania are set out below
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park is the home of the Overland Track, generally recognised as Australia’s premier multi-day alpine walk. It also has an international reputation as one of the world’s great wilderness bush walks. The National Park offers many other shorter walks and there are some great accommodation options.
Tasman Peninsula
Located close to Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula is a rugged and spectacular area. There is something here for everyone including stunning coastlines, caves, blowholes, world heritage listed convict sites, and some of the best short and multi-day walks in Australia. Of these walks, the recently created Three Capes Track is a stand-out.
Freycinet National Park
The Freycinet National Park houses the exquisite Freycinet Peninsula, a large, dramatic land formation carved into Tasmania's eastern coastline. It’s renowned for its pink granite mountain range, The Hazards, and its sheltered, white sand beaches. Of those beaches, Wineglass Bay is considered one of the world’s best beaches.
Bay of Fires
The Bay of Fires Conservation Area and its northern neighbour, Mount William National Park, cover about 60 km of Tasmania’s sheltered north-eastern coast. This coastline boasts crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and stunning orange granite boulders. The walks provide access to secluded beaches and therapeutic solitude.
Maria Island
Vertiginous sea-cliffs, tranquil bays, a mountainous interior, and historic ruins - Maria Island has it all. The island’s entire 115 square kilometres is National Park which makes it the perfect home to some of the best wildlife in the country including rare bird species, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and Tasmanian Devils.
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Occupying the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is wild, breathtaking and inspiring. Home to jagged mountain peaks, gorges, waterfalls and renowned rivers, the Park is revered for good reason and its protection is an important part of Australia’s story.
Southwest National Park
The massive Southwest National Park, Tasmania’s largest National Park, delivers some of the world’s most pristine, isolated forest and coastal wilderness. Next landmass south is Antartica and heading west you’ll need to lean in to the Roaring Forties. Walks in the Park cater to all levels.
Walls of Jerusalem National Park
Located in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park is a wondrous land of alpine tarns, dolerite peaks and diverse vegetation. The Park’s name derives from the dolerite peaks, bluffs and cliffs in the middle, elevated section of the Park that appear to create a natural and imposing fortress.
The Tarkine
Located in north-western Tasmania, the Tarkine is home to the largest cool temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s an ancient land populated by magnificent myrtles, huon pines and leatherwood as well as giant ferns and eucalypts. It’s also renowned for its waterways and waterfalls.
Bruny Island
From afar, Bruny Island appears to be two islands but a long, narrow strip of land connects the two landmasses to form this 50km long island. Easily accessed from Hobart, Bruny is home to some of the best preserved nature in Tasmania. The large National Park in the southern section offers exceptional walking.