5 Tassie trails worth trekking

Dear mountains of Tasmania,

Thank you for your magic!

Tasmania is Australia's most mountainous state (and the smallest state at that!) with nearly 3,000 peaks. Everywhere you drive, walk, bike or boat around here leads to another hill, a distant summit, a calling to explore farther, deeper, higher.

I've been in Tasmania for nearly three months now and feel privileged to already have gotten to explore many amazing parts of the state. This island is much bigger than I imagined! My partner Danny and I have tried to make a point of getting out to hike and adventure as many weekends as we can and we've been amazed by the rich plant and wildlife here and the incredibly mountainous terrain.

Dear mountains of Tasmania, thank you for calling me to stomp in the mud, dance in the wind, pause to feel the softness of moss and unplug. You are magic. To me, hiking means a lot more than walking in the woods. Hiking is my meditation, my means of connecting with the planet, tuning into my heart and softening.

Here are a few of my favorite mountain hikes I've done since being here. Perhaps this list can act as a calling to get you to Tassie someday-- it is worth it!

1. South Coast Track – 85km

Danny and I had been in Tassie less than 24 hours when we set off with our packs to trek across the SCT. Infamous across the island for its steep climbs and muddy trails, this trail isn’t for the faint of heart. This trail is part of the South West National Park and is only accessible by foot or boat, making it an incredibly pristine remote wilderness. That being said... you get dropped off by car on on side and need to fly out on a tiny plane to return...quite the adventure!

The SCT crosses the Ironbound Range, a nearly 1,000 meter ascent up a rocky, muddy and nearly always windy climate. Near the base you are ankle deep in mud and at the summit the wind is so powerful I nearly lost a few items off my pack! But, wow the views... see for yourself here:

I’ll soon be sharing a full guide for this multiday trek including how to book permits, what gear to bring, how to plan for weather and some of the highlights of the hike. Stay tuned! 

Hartz Peak – 7km

Think… clouds! Danny and I did this hike in early May and boy was it cold! Situated at 1,200 meters this short 7km day hike still scratches cloud cover during the autumn and winter, making for a very mystical walk. Much of the beginning part of this out-and-back is along a boardwalk along which you can focus less on your steps and more on the dense scrubby plants and flowers (watch out the cute flowery-looking moss is spiky!). 

The final ascent is very rocky and you’ll need to follow a few cairns to scramble to the top where you may see a splendid view of the valley or perhaps you’ll be in a dense cloud as I was and in that case prepare to hunker down out of the wind and enjoy a well-earned bag of chips. 

There are a few very short side trails to some lovely untouched lakes. One even has a few benches where one can sit and soak in the glassy water.

Three Falls Circuit, Mt. Field – 6 km

If you love ferns this hike is your dream come true. This fairly easy, wide trail weaves through oldgrowth fern and eucalyptus forests and is home to dozens of species of mushrooms, diverse undergrowth, and of course, a few spectacular waterfalls.

Mt. Field is only a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart and offers shorter and longer hikes near its visitor center as well as treks higher up near its peak. My favorite is the Three Falls Circuit, which like its name boasts winds along several beautiful falls. If you go in the evening you might see glow worms hanging from the trees not too far from the visitor center.

Wineglass Bay – 9.3km

The East coast of Tassie is very rural with a lovely rugged coastline, of which many say Wineglass Bay takes the cake. A relatively short hike, this stair-heavy walk down to the bay (yes it is wineglass shaped) weaves through a very picturesque part of Freycinet National Park where you are sure to see lots of pademelons and colorful birds. 

At the far end of the beach, there are great sheltered places to camp near the water and that far side of the bay is home to glassy waters, perfect for swimming or fishing (or playing mermaids?). The sunset here was incredible and I’d love to go back and spend a full day hanging at the beach here. 

Though I haven't been there yet, Mount Amos is a great mountain to summit near Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park.

Tarkine Loop (this is a drive with lots of short walks and viewpoints)

The Tarkine, or Takayna as called by the Aboriginals, is a cool temperate rainforest tucked away in the northwest corner of the island. Well over 5 hours drive from Hobart, you’ll pass through many sweet towns along the way before starting this 90km loop drive. The drive itself is so picturesque and remote, but the best part is stopping at many of the viewpoints and short hikes to see this old-growth region up close.

A few highlight spots to see include the Trowutta Arch (20-minute roundtrip hike) and the Sumac Lookout. Jaw. Dropping. Beauty. I’d recommend having a whole day just to hike different trails along the loop and staying in the small town of Arthur River is a great option. The tiny town of Arthur River only has one small food store, so plan to bring provisions, and don't miss the edge of the world on the westernmost point in Tassie.

If you drive a bit further north past the loop to breathe in the cleanest air in the world! Watch out if you are driving at dusk, this is when the marsupials come out to scavenge and play and we saw lots of pademelons and wombats near the sides of the road. 

If you get the chance to stay in Arthur River, I'd highly recommend taking the Arthur River Cruise! This family-run business takes you up the river and you get a spectacular view of untouched forest, even stopping to do a guided bushwalk! Check it out here.

Mariah Island Circuit -- 33 km

If you are looking for wildlife up close this is the hike for you. This loop is best done over two days, especially if you want to tack on Mariah Summit (well worth the steep rocky incline!). To arrive to Mariah Island you’ll need to book a ferry ticket in advance, there are ferries running several times a day and tickets cost $64 AUD.

While many people like to rent mountain bikes on the island to cruise around the circuit or even venture further into the southern part of the island, Danny and I opted to walk as some of the tracks are offlimits to bikes (plus as you know by now… we really like hiking.) The circuit is mostly flat, and the coastal part is especially picturesque with breathtaking views of the ocean and mainland Tassie beyond. There is even a short detour to see the painted rocks... these sandstone rocks look just like a bisected tree!

Yet, the best views come from atop the two peaks on the island. Bishop and Clerk and Moutn Mariah are both beautiufl in their own ways. Bishop and Clerk is just off the main island cirucit but starts close to where the ferry drops you off in the old settlement of Darwin. This trek laces through gorgeous forests as well as sticking close to a high cliff coastline. Mount Maria is more inland, less densely forested but has lots of fun rock scrambling and unbeatable views of the isthiumus-- the small sand barier between the two halfs of the island.

We camped at Frenchman’s Farm and I’d recommend spending the night camping on the island as you’ll get to see the state’s famous wombats roam the fields at dusk! 

These past few days I've been a bit under the weather and couldn't go out and explore this weekend. However, I found moments to be out in the garden with my hands in the dirt and also went on a few neighborhood walks. I try to integrate as much outdoor time as I can... my boyfriend even jokes that I'm like a plant. Without enough sunlight, I start to feel like I am withering. Can anyone else relate?

I hope you all are having a beautiful week.

Love,

Ava//

Rewilidng Child