Hartz Mountain

Hartz Mountain National Park is an alpine wonderland of rugged peaks and unspoiled scenery that will captivate and delight. A frontier destination, the park sits on the doorstep of the great South West Wilderness — a region so vast that small countries could fit inside. It all amounts to epic vistas and gorgeous countryside, with plenty to discover in this southern extremity of Australia. Some say it’s Tasmania’s best-kept secret, and they may be right.

Close to the national park is the Huon Valley, a popular tourist hotspot that runs along the mighty Huon River. As such, visiting Hartz Mountain National Park goes hand-in-hand with enjoying the many facilities of the Huon, such as its renowned apple orchards and locally produced ciders. There is a range of accommodation options available in the Huon Valley, from campsites to quaint country-style accommodation, with many situated on the banks of the river.

If a day trip is on the agenda, the quaint countryside towns of Huonville and Geeveston are a pleasure to visit, with a range of cafés, restaurants, bakeries and other fine delights to keep you going. Popular paid attractions unique to the area include the Tahune Airwalk, which is an enthralling suspension bridge through the treetops. The Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs also prove to be very popular and are well worth a visit if you’ve got some cash to spare.

While paid tours are nice, there’s certainly enough going on in this remarkable region to satisfy. The following free things to see and do will get you out into the great outdoors to uncover epic sights. There’s something here for all walks of life, down in this southern ‘end of the road’.

If Tasmania’s vast high country is on your to-do list, Hartz Mountains National Park offers alpine trails with something for almost everyone. Set within this rugged and captivating landscape, Lake Esperance is a natural wonder that needs to be seen first-hand to be fully appreciated. For such a short walk, the scenery along the way is nothing short of spectacular.

The lake is a glacial tarn (a lake formed by meltwater), which during the summer and autumn months gives way to a magnificent understorey of cushion plants and alpine species. The lake itself is a phenomenal place to sit and relax, taking in one of the most colourful waterside scenes in Tasmania.

One of the best features of Lake Esperance is the easy trail to the lake itself, which you’d think would be far more arduous for countryside as high in altitude as this. The trail starts as a typical dirt track which transforms quickly into the most picturesque duckboard walk. At this point, without a single tree in sight, visitors stroll along a vast plateau where the views are magnificent. With such a barren expanse, the scenery spans as far as the eye can see, with monumental peaks to savour in all directions. For such an easy stroll, the grand views afforded by this trail are truly something to behold.

Tasmania’s South West Wilderness is vast and, for the most part, inaccessible. Offering a stunning vantage point over this isolated region, Hartz Peak delivers some of Tasmania’s finest views for a walk of only 3–4 hours return. The good news is this is an extension of the Lake Esperance trail, so if you choose to do Hartz Peak, you’ll have Lake Esperance to enjoy along the way. We’ve separated the walks, as while Lake Esperance is easy, Hartz Peak is different altogether and is reserved for those who are physically capable.

From Lake Esperance, the trail is a further four kilometres return (7.4km from carpark). The first section of trail after Lake Esperance is easy-going duckboard, with even more amazing views over endless mountain ranges to be savoured. After approximately 600 metres you’ll come to Ladies Tarn — another alpine lake which, to a lesser extent, is much the same as Lake Esperance. While it doesn’t have the viewing platforms of Lake Esperance, it is beautiful all the same.

After this point the trail rises swiftly, keeping the heart going at a pace until you reach the summit of Hartz Mountain. It’s a hike no doubt, with a rocky scramble required at times, and as such is only recommended for those who are fit and able (good shoes a must). At the top, you’ll have the most amazing scenery in all directions, with Hartz Lake coming into view to the west as you near the summit.

For those who are up to the task, this is one peak you’ll remember for a very long time and an excellent vantage point of Tassie’s ruggedly remarkable south-west region. Note: Be sure to check the weather forecast as conditions in these parts can change quickly.

As you drive up Hartz Mountain, a quick and easy vantage point with sensational views can be found at Waratah Lookout. To get to this captivating location, simply be on the lookout for the signage to this magnificent spot as you ascend into the upper reaches of the mountain along the main road.

Both the signage and carpark are quite unassuming — so much so that most keep driving. Hidden behind a screen of trees, this impressive lookout gives little away from the small carpark nearby. For those that choose to stop and get out of their car, a very short walk through a hollow in the trees will see you standing on the viewing platform, with a staggering outlook to be absorbed.

You’ll also find a great picnic shelter at Waratah Lookout which comes complete with a free gas barbeque and even a fireplace. If you didn’t want to carry your lunch up to Lake Esperance or Hartz Peak, this would be a good option as the picnic facilities at the top carpark are relatively basic. Overall, this is a quick stop at the very least and well worth a look.

Follow Australia’s sealed roads as far south as they go, and you’ll eventually arrive at Cockle Creek — a pristine sandy oasis on the edge of Recherche Bay. Visitors to Cockle Creek can expect low crowds, pristine shores and waters that light up with azure colouration on a clear day.

Many come to Cockle Creek as a day trip out of the Huon Valley, some even camp along the shores. Whichever way you choose, travelling down to the ‘End of the Road’ for many is half the impetus for the journey.

For some of the most scenic views at Cockle Creek, follow the signs to Whalers Lookout. Once you’re at the lookout, numerous interpretive signs tell of the area’s rich whaling history and early colonial days. The sandy shores surrounding Whalers Lookout are some of the best in the vicinity and are a must-see if you’ve made it this far south.

At the Whalers Lookout carpark, you’ll find one trail leading to the lookout, and another nondescript trail of about twenty metres in length that leads to a secluded beach. Be sure to check out this alternate route to the beach as it’s simply gorgeous, with pristine sands, tranquil water and superb views across the bay.