9 Greatest Hikes in Tasmania | Becoming One With an Ancient Land

Hiking Tasmania is one of our favorite memories of our trip to Australia. In fact, we spent a month enjoying a lot of Tasmania hikes and trails, and for us, it’s probably the most beautiful part of Australia. Exploring it by foot is a superb way to get to know this incredible land, and for adventurers, there’s no shortage of superb hiking trails.

Whether you’re looking for a quick walk to stretch the legs, or a multi-day trek to rediscover peace and solitude, there’s a Tasmania hike for you. In this guide, we’ll cover 9 of our favorite Tasmanian hikes, with something for everyone.

So buckle up, and get ready to start dreaming about hiking in Tasmania — I know I am!

Video: Tasmania Travel Inspiration

In this short video I will show you what to expect from Tasmania. The islands has so much to offer so whenever you like relaxing, museums, restaurants or outdoor activities Tasmania has it all.

My Top Multi-Day Hikes in Tasmania

Undertaking a multi-day hike in Tasmania is a life-changing experience. The longer you spend immersed in its stunning scenery, the more you begin to appreciate just how ancient this land is. Camping out under bright, starry skies in utter tranquility makes you realize that returning to the ancient ways occasionally offers some of the best therapy on earth.

1. Walls of Jerusalem

The Walls of Jerusalem national park is a hidden gem for adventure hikers. High up in the central highlands, it’s considered the top of Tasmania — hikes in this region boast breathtaking views at every turn! Taking in craggy mountains, ancient pine groves, and shimmering lakes, it’s a veritable wonderland. 

The hike is fairly flexible, and starts from the Walls of Jerusalem car park. From here, you’ll need to hike uphill through Eucalyptus forests for around 3 km (1.8 miles), gaining 600 meters, until you reach Wild Dog Creek campsite. This is the only official campsite in the park. It’s well maintained with good facilities and makes an ideal base camp. From here, you can easily spend 3 or 4 days exploring, covering around 43 km (26.7 miles).

From the campsite, you can follow a myriad of trails, though the main path ascends the mighty Mount Jerusalem and various other peaks. It’s a fantastic area to explore, though care should be taken on the sometimes delicate terrain. Ideal for experienced adventure hikers, the going can be tough and the weather can change without warning, so be prepared!

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

Check out: Tasmania Travel Guide: The Ultimate Guide for First-Timers

2. Frenchmans Cap

Famous for being among the most challenging hikes in all of Tasmania. The route takes you up to the summit of Frenchmans Cap, and back down again, in a grueling 54 km return hike. It’s a tough trail, and you’ll need a decent level of fitness to reach the peak, but it’s well worth the effort.

Most hikers take 4 or 5 days to complete the entire trek, stopping off at 2 huts along the way; Vera Hut and Tahune Hut. Both are situated on the edge of lakes of the same name. They’re unstaffed, but otherwise strong and well-equipped with 20 bunks in Vera Hut and 24 in Tahune.

This is a stunning hike to tackle, but care should be taken not to attempt the summit unless the weather is clear. The top can be treacherously slippy in even the lightest drizzle. Don’t be deterred though, the route up is absolutely stunning — climbing through pine and rainforests, beautiful lakes and gushing rivers dot the way, while moody mountains surround you.

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

3. The Overland Track

The Overland Track is Tasmania’s most well-known multi-day hike, and for a very good reason. Covering 77 km, the linear route takes you from Cradle Mountain up into gorgeous plateaus, all the way to Lake St. Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. Along the way, you can expect crashing waterfalls, lush rainforest, moorlands and fragrant meadows, and towering mountains.

On average, hikers take 6 or 7 days to complete the journey. It’s physically demanding and mentally draining, but ultimately spiritually rewarding. With numerous side tracks, you can take as long as you wish. Adding on a couple of days to reach the summit of Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest peak, is well worth it.

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

Ideal for experienced hikers, you’ll need to carry all your own supplies for the entire duration, and have excellent map reading and compass using skills. A number of huts are dotted along the trail, with compostable toilets and rainwater tanks for refilling your bottle — be sure to treat or boil the water first though!

One caveat, you’ll need to book in advance during summer months and pay the $200 fee, as well as hold a valid parks pass. Trust us though, it’s worth it!

Must Read: Self-Drive Tasmania: The Best Trip Planner for an Ultimate Road Trip

Amazing Day Hikes in Tasmania

If you don’t have all the gear or time for multi-day hiking Tasmania, no worries! There are tons of amazing half-day and day hikes to enjoy, each taking in incredible sights. Here are some of our favorites Tasmania hikes you can do in a day.

4. Mount Amos (Freycinet National Park) 

Freycinet National Park is a beautiful area to explore, and one of the best hikes is to the summit of Mount Amos. From the peak, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over the iconic Wine Glass (Coles) Bay. When we were planning this one, a lot of people warned us about how tough the going can get, and, well, they weren’t lying!

Tough, but far from impossible, this isn’t a particularly long hike, and the return trip of this Tasmania hike can typically be completed within 3 hours. It starts off easy enough, but as you near the summit, it becomes a scramble to the top, up huge slabs of slick rock, and bulging boulders. Fun for the adventurous, but not to be underestimated!

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

We loved it, but be sure to wear decent boots and avoid it in wet weather, as the rocks are bad enough when they’re dry! To have a better chance at avoiding the wet season, check out our guide to the best time to travel to Australia.

5. Flinders Island Coastal Walk

Home to around 1,000 islanders, Flinders Island is famed for its solitude and peace. For adventure travelers, it’s also one of the best places for hiking in Australia, boasting 3 of Tasmania’s top hikes. The island is known for its paradise beaches, granite cliffs, and crystal clear seas, and one of the best ways to take it all in is on the Trousers Point Walk.

It’s a fairly easy-going circular route that typically takes around 2 hours to complete. Along the way, you’ll saunter under the shadow of the mighty Mt Strzelecki and gaze out across the ocean to distant islands. All the time, you’ll feel the soft sands of Trousers Point and Fotheringate beaches beneath your feet, two absolutely amazing Tasmania beaches.

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

To get to Flinders Island from Tasmania mainland, you can take one of the regular flights from Launceston. Sharp Airlines offer several flights daily, with tickets costing around $200 one way. There’s also a weekly cargo service/ferry that sails from Bridgeport, which is ideal if you have a vehicle. An adult passenger ticket costs $80 one-way or $130 return.

6. Cape Bruny Lighthouse — Bruny Island 

The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is a fantastic place to visit. Dating back to 1836, it stands over 110 meters tall, offering amazing views out to see if you climb to the top. There’s also a really nice, though short, walk that climbs up the steep hill to the base of the lighthouse. Starting from the car park, it’s a pleasant way to stretch the legs after driving the length of Bruny island if you’re on a self-drive tour of Tasmania.

You can do a tour of the lighthouse, which is fascinating, and there’s also the light station museum, which is filled with maritime treasures and artifacts. But for us, the highlight was gazing out to sea in every direction, and witnessing migrating whales and countless swooping seabirds.

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

To get to Bruny Island from Tasmania, you have to take the car ferry from Kettering. The ferry runs many times a day, and there’s no requirement to pre-book. Foot passengers travel free, motorbikes cost $6, and other vehicles range from $38 to $110 depending on the size. You can check out the prices here. All fares offer an open return trip, valid for any day.

7. Cradle Mountain Circuit 

Cradle Mountain is the usual start point for the epic Overland Trail, but there are plenty of shorter walks to enjoy if you only have a day. The Cradle Mountain Circuit is a great choice if you want a full day of hiking in Tasmania amid some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia. It’s a looped trail that takes in around 12.8 km of stunning Tasmania mountains, lakes, highland moors, and craggy rocks. 

Starting at Ronny Creek car park, it typically takes around 8 hours to complete the circuit, including reaching the summit of Cradle Mountain. When we did it, we somehow missed a junction along the way, extending our hike by a few hours. This was actually a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us more time in the breathtaking park!

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

The route is fantastic, but it can be hard going at times, especially after several hours of climbing. But, if you’re up for the challenge, it’s one of the best trails to capture all that the park has to offer in just a day. Be sure to take a comfortable and durable day pack with you, and fill it with supplies and plenty of water.

You might also like my guide on the best day packs for hiking

8. Bay of Fires 

Known as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the Bay of Fires Conservation Area is certainly majestic. Boasting clear blue seas, soft, powdery sands, and vivid orange rocks and cliffs, it’s a sight to behold! It’s also an amazing area in Tasmania for hiking, and there are a number of half day, day, and multi-day hikes to enjoy.

This slice of paradise is a great place to stay a while — enjoying long walks along the beach or up into the cliffs, cooling off with an evening swim, and wild camping among the dunes. It’s difficult to suggest one walk in particular. The best advice is to go with no solid plan, just give yourself a day or 2, and see where it takes you!

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

9. Mount Field National Park 

As one of Tasmania’s oldest and most diverse national parks, it’d be a crime to not make time for a visit! It’s a land of cascading waterfalls, ancient forests, peaceful glacial lakes, and mysterious caves. There’s no shortage of hiking routes in the park either.

One of the most popular Tasmania hiking trails in this park is the Russell Falls Track. Fairly easy-going, it’s a 2.1 km loop that takes in one of the most majestic waterfalls in Tasmania. It’s just a short leisurely walk from the nearby visitor center, but despite this, it doesn’t see a huge amount of traffic. 

Click here or on the title of the trail on the right corner of the map, to get more information.

The route passes under the canopies of huge trees, awash with wildlife, before arriving at the main event. Russell Falls are breathtaking, and you could easily spend hours here enjoying the raw power of mother nature!

Best time for hiking in tasmania

Tasmania is an island situated 500 kilometers South of Melbourne. In Tasmania, seasons are even more extreme than in Southeast Australia.

Winter

Winter is cold in Tasmania. Temperatures drop to 10ºC and below. In the mountains, it will snow and skiing is possible on some small slopes. Winter is a good time to see the Southern Lights. Although the Southern Lights can be seen all year round, in winter is your best chance, because of the long and dark nights.

Summer

Summer is temperature-wise the best time of the year, but during the day it won’t be much warmer than 20ºC. A perfect temperature for a long hike into the mountains!

Best travel time

Tasmania can best be visited between December and February. The temperatures are best during this time of the year. Nature is stunning and many activities can be done. But always be prepared for a cool day and cold nights.

Month	Min Temperature °C	Max Temperature °C	Rain mm
January	13.0	23.0	45.0
February	13.0	22.0	40.0
March	12.0	21.0	35.0
April	15.0	18.0	45.0
May	13.0	16.0	40.0
June	15.0	13.0	45.0
July	15.0	13.0	45.0
August	6.0	14.0	70.0
September	8.0	16.0	55.0
October	9.0	18.0	55.0
November	11.0	19.0	50.0
December	13.0	21.0	55.0

Pin for later

It was great to remember these amazing hiking Tasmania adventures while writing this, and we hope you’re eagerly planning your own trip to Tasmania. For more pointers, check out our Tasmania Travel Guide!

Are you ready to discover more about Australia? Check out our Australia page to read all our Australia articles.