Over 40 per cent of Tasmania is protected as national parks and reserves, most within easy reach of our main cities.
Tasmania’s scenery is spectacular with many different terrains and environments found in a relatively small area. Walking tracks criss-cross the state and offer everything from short and accessible walks to longer, immersive multi-day hiking experiences. In the wild and in wildlife parks, you can get close to Australian animals and endemic species such as the Tasmanian devil. The elusive Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, can also be seen from southern Tasmania.
National Parks and Walks
Much of Tasmania is protected as national parks and reserves, a large proportion of them making up the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Tasmania is home to four of the eight Great Walks of Australia and hosts its own collection of Great Walks of Tasmania.
Featured Short Walks
Dove Lake Circuit
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
One of Tasmania’s most popular walks, the 6 km loop track snakes around Dove Lake in the shadow of Cradle Mountain, mostly on boardwalk.
VISIT WEBSITEWineglass Bay
EAST COAST
Take the short walk up to the lookout over Wineglass Bay, perched between the twin peaks of The Hazards, or continue on the descent down to the beach.
VISIT WEBSITERussell Falls
MT FIELD NATIONAL PARK
Russell Falls is one of Tasmania’s prettiest waterfalls and only one hour from Hobart in Mt Field National Park. The 20 minute walk loops through towering swamp gums and cool temperate rainforest.
VISIT WEBSITEMontezuma Falls
WEST COAST
Montezuma Falls is Tasmania's highest waterfall. Near Rosebery in Tasmania’s west, this level, three hour return rainforest walk features leatherwood, myrtle and sassafras trees.
VISIT WEBSITELiffey Falls
NORTH
Liffey Falls in the Great Western Tiers in Tasmania’s north is one of Tasmania’s most beautiful waterfalls, made up of four sets of falls along a 45-minute return walk.
VISIT WEBSITEFeatured Guided Walks
Life's an Adventure - Tarkine Wilderness Walk
NORTH-WEST
Travel light with only a small day pack as you walk through the second largest cool temperate rainforest in the world. For three days, experience remote waterfalls, myrtle rainforests, pristine rivers, towering mountain tops and wild coastlines.
VISIT WEBSITECradle Mountain Huts Walk
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Walk the Overland Track in comfort. Cradle Mountain Huts Walk offers the only private hut accommodation along Tasmania’s most popular walk, between October and May.
VISIT WEBSITEFreycinet Experience Walk
EAST COAST
Join a four-day walk on the stunning Freycinet Peninsula. Explore remote areas of the national park with knowledgeable guides before retiring to award-winning lodgings and fresh local produce.
VISIT WEBSITEMaria Island Walk
EAST COAST
This four-day guided walk through a World Heritage listed island national park combines history and wildlife with wilderness camps and gourmet food and wine.
VISIT WEBSITEWukalina Walk
EAST COAST
The wukalina walk is the best way to experience the famous Bay of Fires region and discover the cultural homeland of the indigenous palawa people.
VISIT WEBSITEWilderness and Wildlife
Russell Falls / Credit: Stuart Crossett
Wilderness and Wildlife
Russell Falls - Mt Field National Park
One of Tasmania's most treasured and photographed places
Three Capes Track - Tasman National Park
An independent multi-day walking experience on the Tasman Peninsula
Cradle Mountain
This spectacular World Heritage Area is just 1 hr 15 min from Devonport
Honeymoon Bay
Freycinet National Park, East Coast
Donaghys Lookout
A short walk to stunning views of the Franklin River Valley and Frenchman's Cap
Mt Olympus
In the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Overland Track - Multi-day Walk
Probably Tasmania's most famous walk
Wildlife Encounters
Tasmania is home to unique wildlife, and in some cases the only place in the world where these animals are found. Venture into the wilderness, and if you’re lucky see wombats, wallabies, rare and migratory birds, platypus and even Tasmanian devils in their natural habitat.
Featured Wildlife Encounters
White Wallabies
BRUNY ISLAND
The White Wallaby is unique to Bruny Island and can be found around the south side of Adventure Bay. They are most often seen around dawn and dusk. White Wallabies are Bennett's wallabies with a rare genetic mutation that gives them their white fur.
VISIT WEBSITEWombats
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Head to the Cradle Valley boardwalk for some wombat-spotting at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. If you have a car, park at the Ronny Creek car park or hop on the shuttle bus at the visitors centre. For the uninitiated, wombats have pretty uniquely shaped poo, so if you see piles of cube-shaped droppings you know you are in the right place.
VISIT WEBSITEBird Watching
MARIA ISLAND
Maria Island National Park is a natural wildlife haven and home to the Cape Barren goose, the Forester kangaroo, wombats, Bennett’s wallabies and Tasmanian devils. It's also one of the best places in Tasmania for bird-watching with many Tasmanian endemics, including the rare forty-spotted pardalote and swift parrot.
VISIT WEBSITEKangaroos
NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK
Dubbed the ‘Serengeti of Tasmania’, Narawntapu National Park is a haven for wildlife including wallabies, quolls, Tassie devils and a variety of birdlife. Head to Springlawn to see Forester Kangaroos—the largest marsupial in Tasmania.
VISIT WEBSITEWildlife Parks
While it’s possible to see Tasmanian animals in their natural habitat state-wide, wildlife sanctuaries offer an excellent opportunity to get up close and learn more about these unique species from conservation professionals. Take a behind the scenery tour and understand how conservationists work to preserve our state icon the Tasmanian devil, or catch a glimpse of shy animals like the platypus swimming in specially designed facilities.
Featured Wildlife Parks
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
HOBART
Passionate about conservation, Bonorong is a sanctuary for Tasmanian wildlife and the state’s largest 24 x 7 Wildlife Rescue Service. Enjoy an animal encounter or feeding experience just 30 minutes north of Hobart.
VISIT WEBSITEDevils@Cradle
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Devils @ Cradle is a sanctuary breeding Tasmania's three unique threatened carnivorous marsupials; the spotted-tail quoll, the eastern quoll and the Tasmanian devil. Join a feeding tour and learn more about the devastating cancer that has affected the population.
VISIT WEBSITETasmania Unzoo
TASMAN PENINSULA
An hour from Hobart toward Port Arthur, Tasmania Unzoo is a zoo with no formal boundaries where animals and visitors roam free. Feed kangaroos and pademelons or come nose-to-nose with a Tasmanian devil.
VISIT WEBSITESeahorse World
NORTH
See these mysterious creatures up close at the unique facility located at Beauty Point, north of Launceston. Take an educational tour and get an exclusive behind the scenes look at Australia’s only working commercial seahorse farm.
VISIT WEBSITEPlatypus House
NORTH
Tasmanian platypuses and echidnas are unique and can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. Take a guided tour and watch them feed and play in their indoor habitat, 40 minutes from Launceston at Beauty Point.
VISIT WEBSITE