7 of the best Walks in Tasmania you will love
If you want to go hiking in Tasmania, with over 100 walks from short to long and overnight hikes, you will have to make hard choices. It all depends on the time you have and the itinerary you plan. I have visited Tasmania several times over the past ten years, and I’d like to return.
Australia’s heart’s shaped island boasts some fantastic day walks that make it the perfect gateway from Melbourne or any Australian city on the mainland.
While Tasmania is well known for some of the world’s most popular overnight and multi-day hiking trails, like the Three Capes Track or the Overland trail, here are some short walks you can do on day trips from Hobart.
7 of the best self-guided Walks in Tasmania
If you like walking, you love Tasmania. It offers 60 great short walks to cover each region, from the southern Tasman Peninsula to the most famous national parks in the northwest to the beautiful coastal walks on the island’s Eastern part.
Here are my picks for easy day walks in Tasmania that everyone can enjoy, either on self-guided trips or Tasmania walking tours.
1. Mt. Wellington Walk in Hobart
If you travel from Melbourne to Tasmania, Hobart is where you’re likely to start your Tasmania trip, and although the city isn’t that exciting, its surroundings are worth exploring. Hobart has some of my favourite walking trails in Australia.
Apart from the Organ Pipe Walk and the Mount Wellington Summit Walk, which are the most known walks in Hobart, there are many more easy walks that you can do in town. Use the bus from the city and stop at Fern Tree. The Fern Tree Car Park is where you start all your walking trails. I’ve done the Fern Glade Track and the Radfords Track to the Springs.
Here is the first stop to have a coffee and enjoy a spectacular view of Hobart. With good weather and a clear sky, you should not miss out and continue walking up to the Mt. Wellington Summit; worthwhile. The landscape changes from deep fern tree forests to steep climbing paths and rock formations. I couldn’t do the whole circuit last year in December and had to descend through the Middle Track and Silver Falls trackback to the bus stop.
The Spring Walk: 1.6 km through the Fern Glade Track
The Mount Wellington Summit: 4.7 km
2. The Fluted Cape Walk on Bruny Island
If you want to see the most southerly point of Tasmania, a must-do road trip is to Bruny Island. The island offers many walking trails. The one to Grass Point is only a 4 km return and 1.5-hour walk. On a sunny day, I would do the Fluted Cape’s whole length to see the spectacular cliffs, but this is a steeper walk for fit walkers only.
A car is necessary to explore Bruny Island, and you will use the Ferry at Kettering. There are also tours for a round-trip; it’s convenient if you don’t want to hire a car. You may want to drive to Adventure Bay if you are going on a jet boat tour and visit the Bruny Island lighthouse, where you can do a circular walk with a stunning 360° view.
3. The Painted Cliffs Walk on Maria Island (southeast coast)
This small island off the South Eastern Coast of Tasmania is probably not on your list. You must take the ferry from the mainland from Triabunna and walk at low tide to safely access the rock platforms near the fossil cliffs. It’s a 2-hour walk return. If you are fit, you can do this as part of a longer walk, the Bishop and Clerk walk, up and downhill through long boulders. You can do this walk as a hiking day tour to Maria Island.
4. Wineglass Bay + Hazards Beach Circuit in Freycinet National Park
The Tasmania East Coast is one of my favourite places for scenic drives, but it also has some of the most beautiful Tasmanian walks. Your Australian itinerary must include the Freycinet National Park and the iconic Wineglass Bay.
However there are many walks that you can do there, but one that should be on your list is the circuit if you are a fit walker. The track is well-kept, but there are some steep sections, and the trail is quite long, +11 km, so it allows 5 hours to complete the entire length.
You will stop at the Wineglass Bay lookout to take photos of this top celebrated Tasmania Beach.
My road trip is on the East Coast of Tasmania from Hobart to Launceston through the beautiful scenic drive.
5. Duck Reach Walk in the Cataract Gorge Launceston
The Duck Reach Trail is one of the top things to do in Launceston and such a beautiful one you cannot miss out on this. Start your walk from the King’s Bridge and first stop at the first Lookout to proceed through the narrow and steep path to the Duck Reach Power Station’s suspension bridge. It’s a short walk suitable for kids and families. With 190 steps and some short uphill sections, it is generally a safe and secure walk.
6. Dove Lake Circuit in Cradle Mountain National Park
Cradle Mountain is among the Tasmania national parks and is on your bucket list. This is a must-do walk to take in the beauty of the pristine environment. The Dove Lake lies at the base of the towering spires of Mt. Cradle. It’s an easy walk suitable for everyone, with picnic and toilet facilities along the way.
A superb place for taking photos, especially on a bright day, you will enjoy the Cradle Mountain reflections in the water. It’s also a pleasant walk to warm up for the longer track up to the Mt. Cradle summit.
7. Lady Barron Falls Circuit in Mount Field National Park
Lady Barron Falls Circuit is a circular walk encompassing various falls at a lower altitude. You can choose to do them separately, but this easy walk is a 2-hour walk and a 6km return through unique forests and beautiful gorgeous. It includes the Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Tall Trees and Lady Barron.
If you plan to go hiking in Tasmania, this is just a short introduction to some of the best walks you can do daily.
And don’t forget to check My Tasmania Guide for the Solo Traveller.
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More hiking trails in Australia
I love walking and hiking. In my solo travel adventures around Australia, I have walked for hundreds of kilometres over 15 years in the most diverse environments.
Here are a few more suggestions in Tasmania and Victoria to inspire you and help you plan your Australia trip.
Walking the Three Capes Track in Tasmania
In Melbourne, do the 1000 Steps Walk
Near Melbourne, some of the best Wilsons Prom Walks.
Do you have any more walks in Tasmania that you love? Feel free to add yours to the list.
Tips for Planning Your Hikes in Tasmania
The best way to organise your hiking trip to Tasmania is to hire a car. Driving alone in Australia is fun, and driving is relaxed in Tasmania. If you are on a tight schedule, you may combine a guided tour with some solo trips.
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