Tasmania's 6 Best National Parks for 2026 Hiking

Tasmania National Parks 2026, Overview

Tasmania has one of the world's great wilderness areas, nearly a third of the island is World Heritage listed, covering southwest wilderness, ancient Huon pines, dolerite columns, alpine plateaus and the world's cleanest air. The state has 19 national parks including some of Australia's most spectacular and challenging walking destinations. Here's a guide to Tasmania's best national parks and wilderness experiences.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

• Highlights, Cradle Mountain (1,545m) is Tasmania's icon. The Overland Track (65km, 6 days, one of the world's great multi-day walks) runs from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Day walks from the Visitor Centre include the Dove Lake Circuit (6km, easy, extraordinary views of Cradle Mountain reflected in the glacial lake), Marions Lookout (10km, moderate) and the Barn Bluff summit (22km, experienced walkers). Wombats are a regular sightings at dawn and dusk. Entry fees apply. Book the Overland Track in advance at parks.tas.gov.au.

Freycinet National Park

• Highlights, Wineglass Bay (30-minute walk from car park to lookout; 90-minute return to the beach itself), the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit (31km, 2-3 days), red granite peaks (Mount Amos, 6km return, demanding), sea eagles and Bennett's wallabies. Entry fee applies.

Mount Field National Park (1 hour from Hobart)

• Highlights, Russell Falls (Tasmania's most photographed waterfall, 20-min return walk), giant swamp gum trees (world's tallest flowering plants), Lake Dobson and the alpine landscape (wildflowers November-January), platypuses in the Derwent River.

Southwest National Park (Remote Wilderness)

• Highlights, One of the world's last temperate wilderness areas. The South Coast Track (10 days, extremely challenging, for experienced expedition walkers only) and Precipitous Bluff. Accessible by floatplane from Hobart or on foot. Utterly remote and wild.

Bay of Fires (North-East Tasmania)

The Bay of Fires is not a national park but a protected coastal area of extraordinary beauty, 30km of white sand, turquoise water and orange lichen-covered granite boulders. Free to access. Walk north from Binalong Bay.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.