The 10 best walks in Tasmania (from our road trip)

Tasmania is a paradise for hikers. Honestly. Whether you love short walks with a viewpoint as your reward or you are looking for long, challenging hikes through rugged mountains – this island has it all. During our almost two-week road trip, we walked in so many places: through forests, along bays, over ridgelines and sometimes just through the rain. And to be honest: every walk was different.

In this blog, I will take you along the 10 most beautiful walks we did (or that we put on our wishlist for next time). Some are short, others are pretty tough – but all of them are worth it.

1. Organ Pipes Track – Mount Wellington

We kicked off our trip with a solid walk along the famous Organ Pipes on Mount Wellington, just outside Hobart. This walk takes you past impressive basalt columns that really look like gigantic organ pipes. The views along the way are spectacular – at least, if the weather cooperates. When we were there, the weather kept changing: sun, mist, rain and even hail, all in one afternoon. You are truly walking in a rugged mountain area here, and you feel that in everything. The walk itself is not technically difficult, but the weather can make it challenging at times.

You can approach the Organ Pipes in different ways. We chose to walk part of the trail from the Springs and turned around before starting the climb to The Pinnacle. A perfect choice with jet lag and changeable weather.

Not in the mood for a hike here? Then you can just drive a little further up to the summit of Mount Wellington and enjoy the view (with zero effort).

2. Three Falls Circuit – Mount Field National Park

Mount Field is one of the oldest national parks in Tasmania and is known for its waterfalls and giant trees. The Three Falls Circuit is a beautiful loop walk of around 6 kilometres, passing Lady Barron Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Russell Falls. Our tip: walk it in reverse. That way you end your route with the spectacular Russell Falls as your grand finale.

What makes this walk so enjoyable is the variety. You walk through dense rainforest, along flowing creeks and through the realm of gigantic swamp gums – the tallest flowering trees in the world. And the best part? It was wonderfully quiet. Especially early in the morning you hardly meet anyone. This walk is perfect to combine with the Tall Trees Walk, which connects directly.

3. Face Track via Lake Rodway – Cradle Mountain NP

Cradle Mountain is one of the most famous nature areas in Tasmania – and with good reason. Here you will find an extensive network of hiking trails, from short loops to serious alpine adventures. We started with a plan, but changed it on the go. In the end, we hiked the Face Track towards Lake Rodway, a tough route of over 13 kilometres with plenty of climbing and scrambling. But wow… those views!

You literally walk along the iconic peaks of Cradle Mountain, through rocky sections and past mountain lakes. The weather was typically Tasmanian: rain, wind, sun, all within an hour. But that only added to the adventure. Cradle Mountain is an area where you can easily hike for several days without getting bored. Other great routes here include the Dove Lake Circuit (much shorter and more accessible), the climb to Marion’s Lookout and, for the true diehards: the six-day Overland Track.

4. Wineglass Bay & Hazards Beach Circuit – Freycinet NP

This walk had been on our list for years. Wineglass Bay is one of the most iconic places in Tasmania and the view from the saddle between Mount Amos and Mount Mayson is world-famous for a reason. But where most people turn around after the viewpoint, we continued. And that is exactly what you should do if you have the time.

You descend to the beach of Wineglass Bay – powder-white sand, crystal-clear water, almost no other people. This is where we had lunch with a view of the ocean (and forgot to take a photo, oops). After that, you continue via the Isthmus Track to Hazards Beach and walk back through a quieter, wilder part of the park. In total, we walked about 12 kilometres and had a perfect mix of beach, forest and mountainous terrain along the way.

5. Summit Track – Ben Lomond National Park

Ben Lomond is a bit out of the way, but that is exactly what makes it so special. The drive up via Jacob’s Ladder is already an adventure in itself – hairpin bends without guardrails, views over the valley, and then suddenly you arrive in a kind of deserted alpine village. This is where the Summit Track starts, a relatively short walk that takes you across a rugged plateau with bizarre rock formations and endless views.

It almost felt like walking on the moon here. The silence, the barren plateau, the light-grey rocks. Along the way, we saw wallabies, birds and even a snake. The trail is not always clearly marked, so an offline map comes in handy. But it is not easy to get lost: the landscape is open and easy to read.

6. Cape Hauy Track – Tasman National Park

We did not hike this trail ourselves, but it was high on our list. Cape Hauy is located on the Tasman Peninsula and offers impressive views of the rugged coastline and steep sea cliffs that Tasmania is so famous for. The walk is 10.1 kilometres return, well maintained and fairly popular – although nature here is so grand that you will still feel like you have it all to yourself.

Along the way, you look out over dolerite columns rising straight up from the ocean. If you are lucky, you might spot seals or albatrosses along the coastline. This walk is known for its spectacular finale: a narrow path ending on a rocky promontory high above the sea. Not for anyone with a fear of heights, but a must for everyone who loves wild, rugged coasts.

Tip: Follow the Great Eastern Drive around Tasman National Park!

7. Cape Raoul Track – Tasman National Park

Slightly longer and more challenging than Cape Hauy is the Cape Raoul Track. This walk is 15 kilometres long and takes you through forest, over cliffs and to a viewpoint you will not forget anytime soon. We did not hike this route ourselves, but met several people on our trip who were absolutely raving about it.

What makes Cape Raoul so special is the contrast: you start in the forest but end up on a high cliff with views of jagged rock towers in the sea. The wind is often strong here and the views are endless. This walk demands a bit more from your legs, but is said to be one of the most beautiful in Tasmania.

We did visit the natural highlights of Tasman National Park, like in the photo above!

8. Lake Dobson Circuit – Mount Field (alpine section)

After our waterfall walk in Mount Field, we drove further up – via a gravel road that takes you to Lake Dobson. This is where a short but lovely loop walk around the lake starts. It feels like a completely different park up here: alpine vegetation, silent forests and not a soul in sight.

The walk itself is not difficult, but it does give you that ‘away from it all’ feeling that is so typical of Tasmania. Ideal if you are looking for a quiet afternoon walk without too much fuss.

9. Tessellated Pavement & surroundings – Tasman Peninsula

Okay, this is technically not a hike, but it is so special that it still deserves a spot on this list. The Tessellated Pavement is a geological formation on the east coast of the Tasman Peninsula where the rocks look like a perfectly laid tiled floor. The closer you look, the stranger it becomes. The pattern was created by natural cracks and erosion – it looks as if a giant left a kitchen floor behind here.

From the car park, you walk down to the beach in just a few minutes. Make sure to visit at low tide, otherwise everything will be underwater. In the surrounding area you will find several viewpoints and short trails, for example to Tasman Arch or Devil’s Kitchen.

10. Enchanted Walk – Cradle Mountain

We finish with a short walk that is perfect for the start or end of your day: the Enchanted Walk in Cradle Mountain. This walk only takes around 20 minutes but feels truly magical. You follow wooden boardwalks along a gently flowing creek, through dense forest filled with moss and ferns, and with a bit of luck you might spot wombats here.

For families, people who want to warm up their legs or anyone who just feels like seeing something beautiful without much effort, this is an ideal trail. We did this one after our big hike and it almost felt like stepping into a different world.

Which walk will you choose?

Tasmania is truly made to be explored on foot. There is so much nature, so much variety and so much space. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or simply love beautiful walks: this island will not disappoint.

Want to find even more walks in the area you are visiting? Try using the AllTrails app to search the map for the best routes near you.

Busy planning a road trip through Tasmania? Then make sure to read our blog with our itinerary and travel tips!