Tasmanian Hiking- Your Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to explore the untamed wilderness of Tasmania? From rugged peaks to serene beaches, Tasmania offers some of the most diverse and breathtaking landscapes in the world. In this video I'm taking you through the ultimate guide to hiking in Tasmania. We'll be revealing tips, trails and more to make your next hiking trip to Tasmania unforgettable. Let's get started. Hi adventurers, welcome back to the channel, Mowser here. On this channel we discuss all things hiking, gear, tips, all that sort of jazz. Now I have lived in Tasmania, Australia my entire life and of course I have spent time traveling around the world visiting other places as well but Tasmania has always been home and I've been hiking here for over 30 years. Why? Well I think it offers some of the best hiking in the world. Tasmania is Australia's island state. It is not only an outdoor lover's paradise, it is also a hiker's paradise with a diverse range of unique wilderness and landscapes. In this video I'm going to be sharing my expertise and insider knowledge to help you make the most of your Tasmanian hiking adventure and to give you an overview of what is available in the state. So let's get straight into it, let's have a look at hiking in Tasmania. Understanding Tasmania's wilderness. So first up a quick overview to give you an understanding of Tasmania's wilderness. Tasmania is an island located off the southern tip of mainland Australia. It is in fact the 26th largest island in the world and is similar in size to a country like Sri Lanka. Tasmania's landscape is remarkably diverse encompassing a rich tapestry of geographical features that make it a unique and compelling destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The island boasts an exceptional collection of national parks and reserves with nearly half the state encompassed within three world heritage areas which makes it one of the largest conservation areas within all of Australia. In all there are 19 national parks and over 800 reserves in Tasmania. This incredible network offers an array of experiences and most of them are all within easy reach of Tasmania's urban centres. These protected areas are not only gateways to majestic mountains unspoiled coastal stretches and alpine regions but they are also vital in preserving Tasmania's natural and cultural legacy. For bushwalkers or hikers the region is perhaps most famed for its dramatic mountain ranges. These highlands include rugged mountains and serene peaks like Mount Ossa Tasmania's highest peak at 1617 meters and these mountains offer challenging hikes and spectacular views and don't let that relatively low elevation of Tasmania's highest peak fool you. What the mountains here lack in height they make up for in sheer drop and just rugged mountain ranges but the diversity expands to more than just mountain peaks. The terrain can vary from dense eucalypt forest to alpine plateaus dotted with glacial lakes and tarns. Beyond the highlands Tasmania's landscape includes expansive wild rivers and waterfalls adding to the dramatic scenery and providing habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna. The Franklin River for example is one of the world's last great wild rivers and it's famous for its challenging rapids and pristine wilderness. Tasmania also has a rugged coastline with picturesque beaches cliffs and secluded bays. The east coast with its white sandy beaches like Wineglass Bay contrasts sharply with the remote west coast known for its mining towns and a history of hardship. The island's diverse climate ranges from mild maritime conditions of the coast to the cooler wetter conditions of the highlands supporting a variety of ecosystems. This climatic diversity allows for rich agricultural areas producing famous Tasmanian produce like apple hops cool climate wines cheeses you name it. Tasmania's unique topography climate and biodiversity set it apart from other hiking destinations. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and understand the importance of respecting the environment and following the leave no trace principles. So this is all great but what does this mean for a hiker a bushwalker visiting for the first time? Are there any tips? Are there any secrets? And if this is your first trip to Tasmania what walk or walks should you be doing? When considering hiking in Tasmania which is often affectionately known as Tassie the first and most crucial tip I give everyone is to be prepared for unpredictable weather. Tasmania is renowned for its dynamic climate laying in the infamous roaring 40s conditions can change rapidly and the weather can often be described as experiencing four seasons in one day. So let's have a quick chat about weather preparedness. In Tasmania it is not uncommon to start a hike along the coastline under clear sunny skies only to find yourself a few hours later grappling with sudden icy blasts of wind and rain that have just blown straight up from the south directly from Antarctica. I mean a good example look at this hike on Tasmania's southern ranges just a few years ago we went from this and within a matter of hours we were in this. Such swift changes can catch even the most experienced hikers off guard and when you are in a remote area a few days from the nearest road the nearest civilization it can be quite scary even with all the right equipment so carrying the right equipment is essential even if you are planning just a short day hike make sure to pack things like a waterproof raincoat multiple warm layers gloves and a beanie at a minimum. Now I go into all that sort of stuff on other videos links to that will be below but in terms of safety and planning if you're coming to hike in Tasmania the Tasmanian trails while beautiful can present some challenges. Rescues are more common than you might think and even the well-prepared hiker sometimes needs assistance however all too often we see rescues involving hikers who were either ill-prepared or overestimated their abilities. Always respect the wilderness and understand the demands of your chosen trail. For longer treks preparation becomes even more critical make sure to review detailed guides and hiking tips there is a massive amount of information out there there's websites there's blogs there's books and do have a look at my other videos for insights on how to prepare for longer expeditions in Tasmania. Choosing the right trail for those new to hiking in Tasmania choosing the right trail can really enhance your experience on the other hand selecting the wrong trail can completely ruin your entire trip by being well prepared and selecting an appropriate trail for your ability you'll ensure a safe and enjoyable Tasmanian hiking experience. So without further ado let's look at some of my favorite trails some of my favorite walks around Tasmania. Top trails to explore. Now your choice of trail in Tasmania will largely depend on your experience level and the amount of time you have in the state. Tasmania is rich with diverse hiking trails and everyone you ask will likely have their own list of their favorite and the best hikes to do and you've got to do this one you've got to do that one. Expect a plethora of options but today we're sharing some of my favorites having hiked here for well over 30 years. We'll map out a little mini tour across Tasmania and I'm also going to highlight a few options we'll look at some day walks but we're also going to highlight a few longer options for those who may be interested in coming here for some extended hikes. Now a word of caution these aren't intended as a detailed guide on each walk this is a brief overview of the walks that I recommend doing if you're coming here they are not a guide for the walk itself but we will gradually over time be releasing some guides for some specific walks throughout the state so keep an eye for those future videos and the best way to do up for the newsletter down below as well as liking this video and subscribing to the channel that way you'll stay in the loop whenever there's a new post whenever there's a new video you'll get notified and you can also sign up to the newsletter by hitting that little QR code that's just there right there scan that with your phone and we'll leave that on the screen for a few seconds and you can sign up to the newsletter right there and a quick note before we look at the walks a lot of these walks located around the state are in the state's national parks. To visit national parks in Tasmania you need a parks pass. These are available online and links to all this stuff is below. So to start our little tour of Tasmania we're going to start somewhere pretty close to my heart and that is Cradle Mountain Lake Sinclair National Park. For most people visiting Tasmania for the first time this is probably the crown jewel in the hiking crown of hiking in Tasmania. Cradle Mountain itself is one of Tasmania's most iconic natural landmarks and this rugged mountain it is situated at the northern end of this national park and the mountain with its distinctive craggy peaks forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is one of the most visited places in the state. Recreational activities are plentiful in the Cradle Mountain area there's heaps of options there's canyoning you can do in the canyons and rivers around the area you can do a leisurely walk around Dove Lake or you can do some more challenging heights you can head up to you can do Cradle Mountain itself the area itself is also equipped with the various visitor facilities including boardwalks viewing platforms and a visitor center making it accessible and enjoyable to visitors of all ages and fitness levels. Overall Cradle Mountain isn't just a hiking paradise it is a testament to the natural beauty and ecological importance of the whole region. Now generally if I have visitors staying with me who have limited time we will generally make a day trip to Cradle Mountain from Launceston but if you do have time I recommend spending at least two days in the area that way you can take in a few day walks account for weather that sort of thing and it's definitely not something you want to do in a day from Hobart you can do it in a day from Launceston but that is about the limit. Day walks in terms of day walks there is a vast array of day walks in the area now if you're in the area the guys at the visitor center can help you out and recommend walks to do but generally my go-to itinerary for a short day walk with my young family with all my kids and a couple of overseas guests would include us starting at the visitor center catching one of the regular shuttle buses to a place called Ronnie Creek then we'll head on a nice leisurely hike on the boardwalk and on the well-formed track up to a place called Crater Lake. We'll then follow the trail further up and ascend Marion's Lookout bit of a steeper climb up there some chains are there for you to hold as you climb up we'll then have a bit of lunch on Marion's Lookout before continuing back down where we've come from and following an alternate path down to Dove Lake and then once we arrive at Dove Lake we get to the viewing platform there where the shuttle bus can pick us up and return us to the visitor center and this is a great all-around choice even if you're hiking with kids my kids have done this walk since about the age of five or six the route features a mix of short steep sections along with some easier walking and it provides some breathtaking views if you're not up for steep walking for a few sections then I recommend just a short walk around Lake Dove there's a track all the way around very easy walk and still gets those spectacular views but that is just one of many options if you're really up for a challenge if you've got a bit of experience then you can go and do Cradle Mountain as a day walk as well but all in all I recommend spending a couple of days in the Cradle Mountain area and just absorbing it taking it all in. Multi-day walks. Now if you have plenty of time and plenty of experience or maybe you have come to Tasmania specifically for this walk then it's time to head out onto the Overland Track. As a guide I took hundreds of people down the Overland Track over six days per trip on nearly 50 walks off the track itself and I am yet to grow tired of the journey down the Overland Track. If you want variety and diversity then I definitely recommend this as Tasmania's best tracked multi-day walk. It is an absolute stunner but it is estimated that over 8,000 people are now doing the Overland Track each year. The track has a booking system in place from November to April and this allows up to 34 independent walkers per day at the time of this video to depart on the track each day and during this time you not only need to book to do the Overland Track you also need to pay a fee ranges depending on your status or your circumstances from $200 to $300 and that includes park entry parks pass for the duration of your walk. There is also a registration for booking the track during the but that same fee doesn't apply. Now these fees give you access to all the public huts along the track and now most of these are relatively new huts. A couple of them are only one or two years old and they're all quite large now. You are expected to carry all of your own equipment and food so be prepared. The huts are a shelter only with some heating if it gets cold. If you want to do things a bit nicely if you want to be more luxurious there are private companies that guide people down the track like the ones that I used to work for with their own private huts but whatever way you can do it it is well worth heading down the Overland Track once you've built up the experience to head on such a track. The Overland Track itself is an iconic Tasmanian hike and for anyone who enjoys hiking in Tasmania completing the Overland Track has become a bit of a rite of passage and it won't be long before I'm taking all my kids down there in a summer very soon. Timing wise if it's your first trip I normally would recommend undertaking this trip in January or February during the summer months when it's a bit warmer and I would allow sort of five nights normally to allow you to fully immerse yourself in the whole experience as well as providing a bit of time to do a few of the side trips along the way. Now we'll be going into detail on the Overland Track in another video down the track. Down the track? Overland Track? You know what I mean. So again subscribe if you want to see that when it comes out sometime in the future. So if you've only got time to do one extended walk in Tassie then the Overland Track is my recommendation. It's a mouser's choice. So that's Cradle Mountain area. Any quick tips to finish off that bit this section of the video? Well like I said you're best to spend a couple of days there. If you've got a limited time in the state try and have two days in Cradle Mountain. Getting into the park itself you really should be getting the shuttle bus. It's not open to public vehicles hardly any of the time. There is a fee for the shuttle bus. You do all that at the visitor center at the entrance to the park. It is a very busy area especially in summer. There are thousands of people going into the day walk area every day. So I normally would get up there quite early. Start my day as early as possible so I can beat the crowd. Right so that's a quick overview of Cradle Mountain. Now let's have a look at its southern neighbor. The southern end of the park. The Lake St Clair region. Lake St Clair. So next up Lake St Clair. This is at the southern end of the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. It's a premier destination nestled in the heart of Tasmania and it's home to the deepest freshwater lake in Australia. Lake St Clair. It's renowned for its pristine waters and being surrounded by ancient forests. The area offers a serene retreat and offers some great little day walks that cater to all levels of hikers and walkers. Bushwalkers. What did I talk? Bushwalkers? Hikers? Same thing. The area is great for young families and it's a place that I do visit quite often. Now the day walks here are generally much shorter if you're just doing the very short ones within close proximity to the lake. And these little ones like the Water's Meet walk, the Platypus Bay walk, you can generally do them within an hour or two with a couple of very small kids. Very easy to walk. Very flat. Very level ground. Just around the edges of the lake. The Water's Meet walk, well that's maybe, that's maybe about three kilometers return. Maybe one to one and a half hours with kids. The Platypus Bay walk, similar length. Maybe four or five kilometers and allowing sort of a couple of hours at least to do that walk. And the great thing with these walks is that you can do them at any time of year. You do get a bit of snow occasionally but generally not down to this level too often. And even when it's cold these are a nice walk to do with the family. If you're looking for something a bit more challenging there are walks like the Shadow Lake Circuit or the Mount Rufus Track. These are much more serious undertakings with Shadow Lake taking around at least normally five hours and the Mount Rufus Track taking at least sort of seven to nine hours for most parties if not longer. Lake St Clair is also where the Overland Track finishes. This is where you finish when you finish the Overland Track. So if you're sort of looking for a bit of extra time to spend, you don't want to get off the track straight away, you can stay at Lake St Clair, you can camp, you can use the accommodation and then you can spend another day there afterwards just exploring the area around Lake St Clair. Any tips for visiting Lake St Clair? Thanks for asking. Well again prepare for the weather. The area can experience these sudden changes in the weather that we see here in Tasmania. So waterproof gear and multiple layers are highly recommended. This area sits a bit higher than at Cradle Mountain. It just generally feels a bit colder to me when you're in this area for a few days in the Lake St Clair area. I generally feel a bit colder than if I was north at the Cradle Mountain region. The area is also rich in wildlife. You see all manner of the native animals here at Lake St Clair. I've seen platypus, wombats, wallabies, quolls, you name it. I've seen them all down around this area around the lake when it's a bit quiet. You sit there for a while of an evening you might get lucky. You might see a platypus in the lake. Again there is a visitor center there. They've got heaps of information and you can't miss it. It's there when you arrive at the lake and have a good look through that. The lake itself is over 20 kilometers long and there is a boat that can ferry you to the northern point if you want to do a day trip up there to where the overland track finishes where most people finish and that is worth doing if you've got a couple of days. But to sum up Lake St Clair is not just a hiking destination. It's a showcase of Tasmania's untouched wilderness and it's a testament to the natural beauty and ecological importance of the region. Now whether you're just a casual walker or an avid trekker, spending a day exploring the trails around Lake St Clair should be pretty high on the list. But we move on on our tour around the state. Frenchman's Cap. So I'm throwing this extended walk in there just as a bit of a reference as it is one of my favorite walks to do in Tasmania. Frenchman's Cap is a striking quartzite peak located in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. It is known for its challenging terrain and stunning vistas. The Frenchman's Cap walk is a true adventure for avid hikers seeking to immerse themselves in Tasmania's rugged wilderness. Now I have been walking into Frenchman's Cap since the early 1990s. Yes some 30 years ago. The trail to Frenchman's Cap is a 50 kilometer return walk and it is quite demanding and it typically takes most people around three to five days to complete the walk. It starts from the Lyle Highway and traverses diverse landscapes including rainforests, button grass moorlands and alpine ridgelines. The final ascent offers breathtaking views of the iconic white quartzite dome of Frenchman's Cap against a wild Tasmanian backdrop. I myself having been there eight or nine times have once had a view. Every other time it is white out conditions on top so be prepared for that. In and these are the two huts where you can camp in your tent or in the hut itself and seek some shelter. Both of these huts are equipped with basic amenities and offer a place to sleep and cook and both huts are strategically placed to break up the journey into manageable sections of walking. Lake Vera is around 15 kilometers from the start of the walk and Lake Tahoon is about another 11 kilometers or so along and that is normally a short walk to the summit from Lake Tahoon. It normally takes me around an hour but allows sort of two to three hours each way. Now like I said Frenchman's Cap used to be a boggy mud just a just the first day was called the Somme L'Anse. It was a terrible experience but I am proud to have experienced. Then a guy a very wealthy Australian entrepreneur by the name of Dick Smith came along a few years ago donated a bunch of money to fix the track up to improve it. He'd walked the track a lot he'd loved the track and wanted to see it improve so thank you Dick Smith if you're watching. Thanks for fixing up Frenchman's Cap. Thanks for getting a hut built up at Lake Tahoon that was a bit better than the previous one. Thanks very much. In terms of key sites and experiences along Frenchman's Cap well you've got the Barren Pass and this is where you get your first really good view of Frenchman's Cap. It's a few hours from Lake Vera and you arrive at this pass with a view straight across to Frenchman's Cap. The section of the walk from Barren Pass to Lake Tahoon is probably one of my favorite sections of walking in Tasmania across all peaks all walks that I've done. It is just a lovely bit of walking and then you have the final climb up to the cap itself. It can be steep it can be demanding it can be tricky but it does offer some great views and some great perspectives of the surrounding landscapes. In terms of tips well you need to go into this walk completely prepared in terms of fitness and gear. Only last week emergency services reported rescuing a group from the cap itself from the peak. Emergency services said they were an experienced group and commended them on their level of preparedness and the fact they were prepared meant that they all survived well they all got out okay and they were commended for that. So it just goes to show you've got to be ready and prepared even if you have a wealth of experience you need to be prepared when you go into these walks. And generally in terms of fitness you want a good level of fitness to head into Frenchman's Cap. I remember the first time I did it as a young sort of 14 year old. I arrived back after a two night trip to the cap and back and I was absolutely destroyed. That was my first sort of big introduction to multi-day walking in Tasmania. So that's your quick summary of the Frenchman's Cap and it really it is more than a hiking trail it is a expedition into the heart of Tasmania's wild landscapes and a great introduction into that southwest area. It offers not only physical challenges but also the reward of experiencing some of the most remote and untouched environments in Australia. Whether or not it's the panoramic views from the summit if you get them or the unique tranquility of the ancient forests Frenchman's Cap promises an unforgettable adventure. It is a great place to start your training for some of the more serious walks in southwest Tasmania. Southwest Tasmania. Southwest Tasmania is a vast remote expanse at the heart of Tasmania's wilderness world heritage area. It is renowned for its raw and rugged landscapes and encompasses everything from dense rainforest serene lakes to towering peaks and wild rough coastlines. This area offers some of the most challenging yet rewarding treks in Tasmania and one of the parks we'll visit first here in this region is more family-friendly than the other ones. It is the Mount Field National Park. Mount Field National Park. Southwest Tasmania. If you want an introduction to southwest Tassie but you don't want to get into the rigors and the remoteness of some of the other areas we're going to look at then Mount Field is a great place to start. Mount Field National Park. It's only about an hour's drive from Hobart the biggest city in Tasmania and there are various sort of short walks you can do in this region. Here are a couple of my favorites. First up you've got the Mount Field East Walk. Now this can be done either as an out back walk or as a loop. It is one of the first sort of longer walks longer day walks that I took my two elder kids on when they were sort of eight and ten years old and it's around sort of four to five hours normally. There is a track along the way in some parts it can get a little bit vague so you need to be aware of that but on a good day it's a great walk and provides some panoramic views from the summit Mount Field East. It involves a bit of a steady climb so fitness levels need to be good but is a good walk if you're staying in the area or can be done as a day walk from Hobart. If you're up for a bit more of a challenge but probably a more spectacular walk in the area then you can head up to a place called the Tarn Shelf. Now to get up to the Lake Dobson car park where you start this walk probably allow about an hour and a half from Hobart and this walk is a circuit you can do and would normally take people at least five to seven hours bit of variation there but it depends on your fitness levels and it initially involves quite a bit of a steep climb up to the ski village and then over to the Tarn Shelf itself Tarn Shelf itself and depending on the route you choose and the starting points that sort of stuff it could be anywhere from about 11 to 17 kilometers and the Tarn Shelf if you've got a good long day to spend and you haven't got much time in Tasmania it's one of those good walks to give you a good idea of the ecological diversity of Tasmania. That is because you walk through several distinct ecological zones throughout the walk. You go from wet eucalypt rainforest to alpine moorland you'll also get to see a few of those glacial tarns and lakes and it is a great place to also see the phagos the Notha phagos gunny eye which is a native deciduous tree plant found here in Tasmania only it's only found in Tasmania and April is the time to come and see that when it's changing color it is quite spectacular to see and has become quite an attraction for visitors to the state at that time of year. The Tarn Shelf is a great walk but again you want a good fitness level and it is a longer walk so it's going to take you an entire day to do that walk. If you don't have much time head into Mountfield to the visitor center do something like Russell Falls which is a short walk you can do it in sort of 40 minutes or so 45 minutes and some spectacular falls called the Russell Falls offer a good little circuit through some rainforest down at the lower level at the visitor center without having to go all the way up into the peaks of Mountfield itself. If you're in Highbart and you've got a few days there then sort of just pick and choose your day that you go to Mountfield if you've got a few free days go on the day that the weather is best you know if you look at and it's looking like good weather there check the weather forecast at Mountfield then head out there and if you are in town in autumn then try and get out there to see the phagos in full display generally in April peaking around late April is the best time to go but if you're up for a bit more of an adventure you're here as an independent walker you are here with a couple of guys and you're doing some big adventures then you have probably heard of another walk down the road from Mountfield and that one is called the Western Arthur Range. The Western Arthur Range. Now we're not going into this one in detail I've got separate video series about the Western Arthur Range you can check them out down below link is also up there or actually no it's up there that's where it is right there but if you don't know of the Western Arthur Range then you probably shouldn't be heading there after watching this video you need to do some other walks first but if you have heard of this then the Traverse of the Western Arthur Range is one of the most spectacular alpine walks in Australia. It's known for its dramatic peaks its beautiful hanging lakes and also its extremely challenging walking and weather conditions. The walk is suited for experienced hikers seeking a challenging and very remote adventure. It is not for the faint of heart. Now depending on what sort of format you're doing the walk in it can take anywhere from sort of 7 to 15 days depending on whether or not you're combining with the Eastern Arthur Range the Western Arthur Range only if you're doing a portion of the Western Arthur Range or you're doing the entire Traverse of the Western Arthur Range from Moraine A to Lake Roseanne it's going to vary in time frames you need to do your research you need to be extremely well prepared. Check out my other videos links are down below do not head into this region unless you have the necessary experience. The weather in the Western Arthurs is notoriously unpredictable it seems to have its own weather systems it can be sunny on the plains down below and you can be clagged in in cloud even snow on the range itself. I've seen it I've seen that happen I've been up on the range had a brief break in the clouds and seen nice sunshine down the plains but if hanging out up in those jagged rugged mountains isn't your thing then maybe it's time to head south to the coast. The South Coast Track. Now the South Coast Track is again another serious undertaking in southwest Tasmania it is definitely one of Tasmania's fantastic great walks one of the best walks in Tasmania to do but we're talking about a walk stretching around 85 kilometers from Melaleuca in remote southwest Tasmania to Cockle Creek at the very southern end of the road in Tasmania and the South Coast Track is known for its raw beauty for its isolated beaches as well as its challenging muddy sections and it is a favorite amongst people who seek both adventure and solitude. The track itself takes you from Melaleuca an old mining settlement down near Bathurst Harbour in southwest Tasmania you've got to fly in to a remote airstrip in a small airplane but it takes you from there down to the beaches on the coastline through untouched rainforests and then over rugged mountains as well. Most people generally take around six to eight to nine days and there is just an incredible variety of terrains and ecosystems along the way. You'll be heading over the notorious Ironbound Range which hugs the coastline and it is often known as the most challenging part of the entire track and again tends to have its own weather system. You'll then be walking along beaches you'll have to row a boat across the entrance to New River Lagoon you'll then finish with a bit more coastline and the notorious South Cape Range before you arrive at another creek crossing at South Cape Rivulet before the final section along to Cockle Creek and when you arrive at the end you need to have transport organized to get you back to Hobart and I have arrived at some of these creek crossings in very very bad weather conditions to the point where the creek crossings have been touch and go whether or not we could cross or not so you also need to take that into account when you're planning this walk you need to allow for extra days. So in terms of tips well book early organize your flights early organize a pickup at the other end it's also handy to have a satellite communication device if plans change along the way due to weather you really want to be prepared when heading here because it is one of the more remote areas in Tasmania and like the rest of Southwest National Park it is a place of intense natural beauty and grandeur and offers some of the most unforgettable trekking experiences in Australia but that's enough time in the southwest of Tassie for now let's now head up to the east coast to one of my favorite places in Tasmania and it's a place called Mariah Island. Mariah Island is a serene sanctuary off the east coast of Tasmania it offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty wildlife encounters and historical sites. Now I spend a bit of time on Mariah Island and among the various walks available but the two I would normally recommend people do if they are heading there and they've got a bit of time would be Mount Parson and Clerk or the easier Painted Cliffs. Each offers a distinct experience showcasing the island's diverse landscapes and geological features. Now if you're on the island and you want to climb a mountain then Parson and Clerk Mountain is one of your options. It's a steep challenging trek that leads adventurers to one of the highest points on Mariah Island. It's around 12 kilometers return and takes people generally around five to six hours to complete and it has some very steep rough sections and again something that you want to have a bit of experience with if you're going to head up there. Now ideally if you're doing Parson and Clerk you are camping or staying on the island itself you're not doing it as a day trip from the Tasmanian mainland. There is camping at the campground at Darlington where the boat will ferry you to. It's a great area to spend a few days. I did do another video on Mariah Island previously. You can check that out up here that is my Mariah Island video. It is a great spot to visit if you have a bit of time in Tasmania. Even if you're here for a week or two I would try and get there for a day trip. It is amazing and if you are limited for time well the Painted Cliffs is sort of the perfect walk to do if you're just over there for the day. The Painted Cliffs are a series of cliffs renowned for their strikingly beautiful sandstone formations. These formations have been sculpted by the ocean and iron oxide over the millennia leaving what we see today. It's a relatively easy walk from Darlington and when we're camping there we can have friends visit us on the island for the day and we'll walk over to the Painted Cliffs with them. It's about an hour each way or we'll ride the bikes because you can take bikes to the island as well but it is a great walk to do. Kids can have a swim at the beach and you just walk on over see the formations and then head back to Darlington. If you're in a bit of a rush you can do it in about two to three hours but you can take your time also. The trail meanders along the coastline along a bit of a gravel road and is just one of the nicer parts of Tasmania to go and relax for a day or two. Any tips before you go? Well do check the tide. You want to make sure the tide is relatively low if you can. When you go to the cliffs if it's too high you may not be able to skirt around the bit of cliff line to see them. You probably can but it is worth checking and trying to line it up when the tides are a bit lower and of course if it's a sunny day for summertime take your hat take your sunglasses and a bit of sunscreen. In terms of when to visit probably October to April. For most of these walks we're talking October to April. Most of them you could go to in winter as well but obviously summertime it's going to be a bit nicer. Again check out the Mariah Island video I did and it gives you all the details on how to get there how to get back and forth from Mariah Island all that sort of stuff. Then from the mountains and beaches of Mariah Island we're going to move a bit further up the coast. A short distance to the beautiful Freychenet Peninsula. The Freychenet Peninsula is the gem of Tasmania's east coast. It's known for its stunning granite peaks, pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. This is an extremely popular area year round so give yourself the best experience when hiking here by arriving early in the day. But it is also at the top of my list when I've got visitors from overseas it is one of the places it's a must go for us with them. And in terms of walks well probably the most popular walk in the area is to the Wineglass Bay lookout. This is a short walk and it's again it's the walk I take all of my visitors from out of Tasmania on when they come to the state. We will often combine it with walking over to Wineglass Bay itself so we can go for a swim at the beach there. And the track now it is quite well made. It is steep in sections there are a lot of steps on both sides of the Wineglass Bay walk where you're going to be climbing a lot of steps. But we have been taking all of our children here since they were toddlers. We did have to carry them back in those days but since they've been seven or eight they have been able to walk the track themselves. All up we normally allow at least four hours for the return walk from Wineglass Bay. If we're just doing the lookout we'd normally allow about two to two and a half hours. But we love walking over to Wineglass Bay having a bit of lunch on the beach and then returning back to the car park. If you want to make the walk a bit longer if you've got more time in your day if you've got longer legs and you're a bit more energy then you can make the walk a loop and from Wineglass Bay you can head over the Isthmus to Hazards Beach and then walk back around the coastline to the same car park creating a nice little 10 or 11 kilometre loop. One thing you do want to do if doing this walk especially in summer is make sure you are carrying enough water. It is pretty rare to find fresh water along the way. There is the odd creek occasionally but again I never rely on that. I always carry enough water for the entire trek. If you are doing the loop via Hazards Beach also just be wary on some of the granite rocks when you are coming back along the coast. They say if it is wet they can sometimes be slippery so just be aware of that. If you are after a bit of a longer walk in the area if you've got a few days to kill on the east coast and you want to do a multi-day walk then the Freychenay Peninsula circuit stands out as the prime choice here and this trek it gives you a bit of a taste of the beaches as well as the mountains off the peninsula and this is a walk that spans 30 kilometres and again it is a big loop off the peninsula. Most people take three days two nights to complete the walk but having said that it is also one of my favourite trail runs to do in Tasmania. That 30 kilometre loop trail run is a fantastic run if you are into trail running and despite the relatively short distance this walk don't underestimate it. Some people do find this quite challenging especially the walk on day two from Cook's Beach up to the summit of Mount Graham and then back down to Wineglass Bay and during those warmer months you will need to carry all your water for each day. At Cook's Beach there is a water tank which you can normally access water from but one of my big tips here is when you are entering the park check with the park rangers at the entrance as to what the water situation is like at Cook's Beach because the tank there can sometimes run a bit low but you finish this walk by spending the last night camped at this spectacular Wineglass Bay. One of the world's most famous and beautiful beaches. It's often rated as that so it is well worth a visit. So if you're on the Freyschnee Peninsula whether or not you opt for an easy day walk or a multi-day walk you're going to have a great time and a great walk no matter what you choose. Now that's sort of the extent of my walking recommendations but we're going to run through a few or a list of a few others which I really love. I know people are going to say oh what about this walk, what about this walk? This is a, the video is long enough already. Here are some of my other favorites and be sure to check out the links below because I will do a blog post with all of these in detail at some stage. So here we go. First up legs tour on Ben Lyman. One hour from Launceston's drive is a great short walk to do if you have a day to kill in Launceston. It's the highest point in Ben Lyman National Park. It is the second highest point in Tasmania and you can do it in a short one hour loop walk if you want to on Ben Lyman. Second up Cape Hoy walk in the south of the state on the Tasman Peninsula. Another great short walk. It's around nine kilometers return four to five hours and is on the tail end of the Three Capes track, the renowned Three Capes track. We haven't covered that in this video but it is a great short walk to do. Another one I love is Harts Peak in the south of the state. It's been a while since I've been there but it is a great short walk to do from Hobart and it takes you to the summit of Harts Peak. About an eight kilometer return walk, three to five hours walk and it gives you spectacular views of southwest Tasmania. If you want to see the southwest but you want to do it on an easier walk this is the walk to go and do it from. Gives you amazing views. Over on the west coast you're looking for a short walk to do while you're driving down the west coast you can't beat Montezuma Falls. It's an awesome walk. It's around 10 kilometers return. It's three to four hours return. Again one I haven't done for a little while but it is well worth the walk in. Very easy grade of walk. Very flat and a nice one to do if you're on the west coast of Tassie. So there you have it. That is today's video. It's a long one. I know if you've got this far then thank you for sticking around. I wanted to do an ultimate guide to Tasmanian hiking and hiking in Tassie mainly to give all those people that I have coming to the state that are asking me what walks to do. But Tasmania really does offer an unforgettable hiking experience. The main thing is to pick the right walk for your ability. If you found this guide helpful subscribe do all that stuff but in the meantime check out this video where I went on quite the mission. It was an epic walk. Check that one out if you really want to see what I get up to when I'm out there. Check it out. It is a it's a good video. All right see you in the next one.