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South Tasmania Accommodation
South Tasmania Activities

Arve Forest Drive
From Geeveston, the 60 km return Arve Forest Drive leads into the nearby working forests where you can see some of the world’s tallest flowering plants, the mighty Eucalyptus regnans or swamp gums, and see modern production forest practices in action. Take time to explore the short walks to the Big Tree and Keoghs Creek, with its informative and thought-provoking signage. The drive takes you to the banks of the Huon River and the Tahune AirWalk and Visitor Center.

Coal Mines Historic Site and Lime Bay
Here you can wander freely among the ruins of the Coal Mines convict station, with its cramped and gloomy underground cells. Nearby there are walks on the beaches and through the coastal heathlands of Lime Bay State Reserve, where wildflowers are prolific in summer. Lime Bay has a camping area with basic facilities. Turn right off the Arthur Highway (A11) at Taranna, then turn right at Premaydena towards Saltwater River. The convict station ruins are about 20 km from the highway at Taranna.

Cockle Creek/Southwest National Park
The tiny seaside settlement of Coockle Creek is 90 km south of Geeveston. It is a t the end of Australia’s most southerly road, which is gravel surfaced and sometimes rough. This quite corner, ideal for a summer swim, picnic or campsite, is the beginning of the South Coast Track, one of Tasmania’s Great Bushwalks. Get a taste of the wilderness by walking to the dramatic South Cape Bay (4 – 5 hours return) or enjoy a short scenic stroll from your car around the foreshore to the whale sculpture and interpretation sign explaining the whaling history of the bay. You can also walk beyond the sculpture around the coastline to Fisher Point.

Hartz Mountains National Park
Drive 13 km west of Geevestone through extensive eucalypt production forest then take the narrow rough gravel road into the Hartz Mountains National Park. A range of walking tracks leads through subalpine woodlands to ice-carved crags, lakes and alpine moorlands. On clear days, there are superb views east to the sea and west further into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. At any time of the year the weather can change suddenly – be prepared for cold conditions, even in summer.

Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Twenty km south of Dover, turn right on a short gravel road to the Hastings Visitor Centre and thermal pool. Cave tour bookings, pool tickets and detailed information are available at the new Visitor Center. The entrance to the spectacularly-decorated dolomite caves is a short drive and walk further on. Take the guide tour, have a dip in the geothermal swimming pool and enjoy a short forest walk alongside Hot Springs Creek – keep your eyes open for a platypus!

Lake Gordon, Lake Pedder, Strathgordon Visitor Information Center
Take the good sealed road approximately 90 km west from Mt Field National Park to reach the two hydro storage of Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder. Near Strathgordon is the Hydro Visitor Center at the mighty Gordon Dam, site of Australia’s longest vertical abseil. Both lakes are within the Southwest National Park and are excellent wild trout fisheries with good boat launching facilities. There is a small campground at Ted’s Beach near Strathgordon and two more on the unsealed Scotts Peak Dam Road.

Mt Field National Park
This historic and beautiful national park has spectacular glaciated landscapes, some of the world’s tallest eucalypt forests and a network of excellent walking tracks, from overnight alpine walks to the sealed then minute wheelchair-accessible walk to Russell Falls, one of Tasmania’s best-known attractions. Picnic and camping facilities are nearby. Access to the alpine area is via the Lake Dobson Road, which climbs for 16 km through a succession of forest types to reach Lake Dobson and is walking tracks.

Tahune AirWalk
On the banks of the Huon River is the Tahune Forest Reserve, location of the Thaune AirWalk. The feature is a 600 m tree top walk through eucalypt forest and culminating in a spectacular cantilever above the Huon and Picton Rivers. Other activities include cable hang gliding and guided walks to the most easily accessible place in Tasmania to view the famous Huon Pine. It’s a great place for picnic and barbecue.

South Bruny National Park
Wild seascapes and sweeping surf beaches, wonderful coastal walk, birdlife and wildflowers, tall forests and an historic lighthouse are all features of this national park. Access to Bruny Island is by a 15 minute crossing by a passenger/vehicle ferry from Kettering, south of Hobart. Head south, crossing at the narrow Neck to reach the park boundary near Adventure Bay or south of Lunawanna. The range of walks includes the coastal track to Penguin Island and Fluted Cape, from Adventure Bay; beach walks on Cloudy Bay; or the full-day circuit of the Labillardiere Peninsula. A narrow gravel road links Lunawanna and Adventure Bay, giving wide south westerly views.

Tasman National Park
From Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula the Tasman Coastal Track leads south, skirting the edge of 300 m sea crags and providing wonderful views of the coast and Tasman Sea. The full track is a long day’s walk to Fortescue Bay but there are excellent short and easy walks from the road-end at Eaglehawk Neck to Tasman Arch, Waterfall Bay and Paterson Arch. From Fortescue Bay a fine full-day walk reaches Cape Hauy, where rock climbers scale the steep sea-stacks of the Candlestick and Totem Pole. Fortescue Bay has basic camping, picnic facilities and boat launch facilities.

Wellington Park
Wilderness on Hobart’s doorstep, Wellington Park provides walking, climbing, abseiling, cycling and sightseeing opportunities less than half an hour’s drive from the city. Pillinger Drive turns right off Huon Road just before Fern Tree and gives easy access to the mountain’s maze of tracks and to the picnic and barbecue facilities at The Springs. The road passes beneath the towering crags of the Organ Pipes, a mecca for climbers. Views from the summit are superb this is the starting point of the Mt Wellington cycle descent, one of Australia’s most challenging and exiting alpine rides.

Bruny Island Neck
Climb the stairs to the lookout, follow boardwalk paths through penguin and shearwater colonies, often populated during summer. Reach Bruny Island by passenger/vehicle ferry from Ketering. The Neck is 25 km south of the ferry terminal.

Geeveston Forest & Heritage Center
This Center is the gateway to the Southern Forests, the Tahune Airwalk, Hartz Mountains National Park and the Southwest World Heritage Area. Discover the stories of this early settlements, its pioneers and bushmen. Browse the crafts and art gallery after watching wood turning displays.

Hastings Forest Drive Picnic Area
Follow forestry roads from Hastings Caves to a picnic area on the Esperance Rive, then rejoin the A6 at Taminea, just south of Dover. On the drive see how forests are manages and regrown. Walk to Duckhole Lake and logging history sites at Adamsons before you stop for lunch.

Mt Nelson and Truganini Reserve
See Hobart and the Derwent from the Signal Station lookout, ten minutes from the centre of Hobart. Take a short Bushland walk in the Truganini Reserve.

Port Arthur Historic Site
Tour the interactive Visitor Centre at Australia’s most important historic site, stroll through the grounds, explore convict buildings and the Model Prison. Enjoy a picnic under the oask or visit one of the on-site café’s.

Richmond Gaol
A good half-day trip, 25 km from Hobart. Tour the convict-built prison, spend a moment in the solitary cell and punishment yard then explore the café’s, galleries and Gregorian cottages of the colonial village.

Seven Mile Beach
Beach walks, trail rides on sandy pine forest tracks, swimming, birdlife and picnics are the features of this beachside reserve near Hobart Airport, 15 km east of the city.

Shot Tower Historic Site
Ten km south of Hobart in the riverside suburb of Taroona is the 48 m sandstone shot tower, built in 1870 to make lead gun pellets. Climb the tower, enjoy a cuppa in the café.