Hartz Mountains National Park

Rising abruptly from Tasmania's southern coastline, Hartz Mountains National Park is a rugged alpine wilderness of dolerite peaks, ancient pencil pines, and glacial tarns. Less than 90 minutes from Hobart, this World Heritage-listed park offers some of the island's most accessible subalpine hiking, with boardwalks leading through snow gum woodlands to lookout points that sweep over the Huon Valley and distant Southern Ocean. The air is crisp, the light ever-changing, and the silence broken only by the calls of currawongs and the rustle of native grasses.

Highlights & What to See

• Hartz Peak – A challenging but rewarding 3-hour return walk to the park's highest point (1255 m), offering panoramic views of the Tasmanian wilderness and, on clear days, the coast.
• Lake Osborne – A short, easy boardwalk loop around a glacial lake fringed with snow gums and cushion plants; perfect for a quick immersion in the alpine landscape.
• Waratah Lookout – A wheelchair-accessible viewpoint that provides sweeping vistas over the Huon River valley and the distant Hartz Mountains.
• Arve Falls – A 20-minute return walk to a cascading waterfall set in a cool, mossy rainforest gully.
• Keoghs Pimple – A shorter alternative to Hartz Peak, this 45-minute return climb offers excellent views with less effort.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors allocate half a day to the park, which is enough to tackle one or two short walks and take in the main viewpoints. If you're keen to summit Hartz Peak or explore the longer Lady Binney Crag track, plan for a full day. The park is at its best from late spring to early autumn (November to April), when the snow has cleared and the alpine wildflowers are in bloom. In winter, snow can close the access road, so check conditions before setting out.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Huon Valley – A scenic drive through apple orchards, cideries, and the charming town of Huonville, with plenty of farm-gate produce stops.
• Mount Field National Park – About an hour's drive north, this park features the famous Russell Falls, towering eucalypts, and the alpine Tarn Shelf walk.
• Bruny Island – Accessible via a short ferry from Kettering, this island offers dramatic sea cliffs, gourmet food producers, and the Bruny Island Lighthouse.
• Hobart – The state capital is just 90 minutes away, with Salamanca Market, MONA, and Mount Wellington providing urban and natural attractions.
• Cataract Gorge – A stunning natural gorge in Launceston with walking trails, a chairlift, and swimming areas; a perfect complement to a Tasmanian wilderness itinerary.

Please check official sources for current details.