Tasmania’s most beautiful National Parks (Our favorites)

Tasmania is nature with a capital N. Whether you come for rugged mountains, dense rainforests, white beaches or steep cliffs: the island has it all. And that’s because nearly half of Tasmania is protected natural area. In total there are 19 national parks – and we visited a good number of them during our two-week road trip. In this blog I share our favorite parks, what you can do there and why they are each and every one worth the effort.

1. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

This is perhaps the most famous national park in Tasmania. And for good reason. Cradle Mountain is rugged, alpine and spectacular. We did a strenuous 13-kilometer hike here over the Face Track, but you can make it as tough or as easy as you want yourself. From short boardwalks to multi-day treks like the Overland Track – everything is possible here.

What makes this park special is the combination of mountains, lakes and forests. You can see wombats grazing here, admire the peaks of Cradle Mountain and swim in ice-cold mountain lakes (if you dare). And even if the weather turns bad (which it often does here), the atmosphere is magical.

2. Mount Field National Park

Just an hour’s drive from Hobart you find Mount Field – one of the oldest national parks in Tasmania. The park actually consists of two parts: the rainforest section below, and the alpine area above.

Below you walk along waterfalls (like the famous Russell Falls), through dense forest and past swamp gums over 100 meters tall. Above – at Lake Dobson – you end up in a completely different landscape: quiet, open and cool. We did both in one day and it was really worth it. Mount Field is accessible, varied and perfect for a day of nature with lots of variety.

3. Freycinet National Park

Freycinet is located on a peninsula on the east coast and is world-famous for Wineglass Bay – a perfectly shaped bay that you really have to see with your own eyes. But this park is more than one viewpoint. You can walk here along rugged rocks, relax on deserted beaches or admire the coastline by boat (as we did).

Our walk through Freycinet was tough (lots of stairs!), but the view of Wineglass Bay was completely worth it. After that we walked back via Hazards Beach: a 12 km trek that really shows the park at its most beautiful. Freycinet also has a rich wildlife: wallabies, seabirds and even seals you spot here regularly.

4. Tasman National Park

Tasman National Park is located on the peninsula of the same name and is a combination of rugged nature and colonial history. The high cliffs, deep sea caves and rock formations like Tasman Arch and the Tessellated Pavement make it one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes on the island.

You can make splendid walks here, such as to Cape Hauy or Cape Raoul, or just make short stops at viewpoints. Whatever you choose: the sea is always close by and often wild. We combined this park with a visit to Port Arthur Historic Site, which made the contrast between nature and history even greater.

5. Ben Lomond National Park

Less known, but in our opinion one of the most surprising parks in Tasmania. The drive up via Jacob’s Ladder is already an adventure in itself: steep bends, impressive views and eventually you end up in a bare, almost otherworldly landscape.

On the plateau you walk through an open area with bizarre rock formations and you mainly see… a whole lot of nothing. But that nothing is so impressive that it almost has a meditative effect. We saw wallabies, birds of prey and – yes – a snake here. In winter you can actually ski here.

6. Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

This park is located in the west of Tasmania and is part of the vast Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. We explored this area from the water, during the Gordon River Cruise from Strahan – and what an experience that was! The river winds through one of the oldest rainforests in the world, with mirror-smooth water, centuries-old trees and complete silence around you.

Along the way you make stops at places like Sarah Island (an old penal colony) and Heritage Landing, where you take short walks through the rainforest. Everything feels untouched and pure here. The park itself is largely only accessible on foot or by boat, and that contributes to the feeling of pristine nature.

7. Southwest National Park (wishlist!)

We haven’t been there ourselves (yet), but Southwest National Park really has to be mentioned. This is the largest national park in Tasmania and one of the most pristine areas in Australia. You only get here via long hikes or by boat/plane. Pure wilderness.

For the adventurers among us: this is where you go if you really want to go off the grid. Think days of hiking, no signal, and nothing but nature. Who knows… maybe next time.

8. Maria Island National Park (wishlist!)

This one is also on our wishlist. Maria Island is located off the east coast of Tasmania and is reachable by ferry. Cars are not allowed, so you explore the island on foot or by bike. It is said to be a paradise for wildlife lovers: wombats, wallabies and even the Tasmanian devil are common here.

You find ruins of old settlements, white beaches and limestone cliffs there. Everything in one. And the nice thing: no shops, no traffic, no distractions. Just you and nature.

Whether you want to do a day walk, hike for a whole week or just enjoy the most beautiful stops: the national parks of Tasmania do not disappoint. Each park has its own atmosphere, landscape and charms. And it’s precisely that variety that makes Tasmania so special.

And now that you’re here anyway. Want to do a nice road trip too? Then read our blog with our experience of 2 weeks road tripping through Tasmania!