Mother Nature didn’t hold back when it came to Tasmania. Across the entire island, you'll find towering peaks, moody coastlines, misty rainforests, and plenty of well-worn trails to see it all IRL. If you’ve ever even thought about getting into hiking, this is the place to do it.
I've rounded up a list of the hikes that'll have you chasing waterfalls, conquering cliffs, scrambling across rocky terrain and feeling wildly smug at the summit. Lace up your hiking boots, fill up your water bottles and let's go—here are twelve Tassie trails worth every step.
Mount Amos
You’ve probably seen the shot: Wineglass Bay in all its curve-perfect, aquamarine glory, plastered across every second Tourism Australia ad. What you might not know is that those knockout views are best earned by scrambling up Mount Amos, a 454-metre granite dome towering over Freycinet National Park. It’s a short but surprisingly technical ascent—expect to use your hands more than once—and the rock underfoot can get slick after rain, so caution is key.
My friend Bron tackled this one last year. She left before the sun (and the temperature) had risen, but swears the golden glow cast across Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet peninsula was worth the early start. If you're steady on your feet and partial to a view that makes the effort totally worth it, this is the hike to prioritise.
Barn Bluff
At 1559 metres above sea level, Barn Bluff is one of Tassie's tallest peaks. Make no mistake, this is no walk in the park. It's steep, rocky and will require you to scramble across the granite slabs, but if you're up for the challenge, you'll be rewarded with glorious views and that endorphin-heavy rush you only get after scaling something that seriously tested your limits.
I'm not bluffing (see what I did there...?!) when I say this one’s high on my hike list. It's far less touristy than some of the other hikes and a fair bit more challenging than any other hikes I've done in my lifetime. But to get those views? Challenge accepted.
Three Capes Track
Got a spare four days up your sleeve? Three Capes Track is an absolutely magnificent experience, ascending through wildly diverse microclimates and ecosystems that’ll leave you completely enchanted by the raw, shifting beauty of nature.
This 48-kilometre, multi-day trek takes you across windswept coastal plains, dense rainforest and up close to some of the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate the tidy huts, boardwalk sections, and guided or self-guided packages that make the whole thing feel a little more achievable. As one of Tassie’s most well-organised treks, there’s plenty of structure, but the sense of wild adventure is very much intact. Bring your walking legs and a decent camera—you’ll want both.
Organ Pipes
Kunanyi/Mount Wellington is essential for first-time visitors. The views across Hobart and the Derwent River are worth the trip alone, but the four-hour return hike from Fern Tree to the towering dolerite columns known as the Organ Pipes adds a whole other layer. Along the way, you’ll pass through alpine forest and past seasonal wildflowers, with the summit shifting between sun-drenched and snow-dusted depending on when you visit.
I love that this iconic hike is only 20 minutes from the centre of Hobart, and you can knock it off in half a day. It’s the perfect combo of accessible and awe-inspiring—just enough effort to feel earned, without chewing through your entire Tassie itinerary.
Mount Anne
If I were chasing a full-day challenge, the 15km Mount Anne trek would be the one I'd go for. Clocking in at around 8 to 10 hours, it's definitely for the well-prepared and organised hiking bunny (solid boots and plenty of water are essential to make the distance).
There are steep and slightly challenging aspects of the 1289m high climb, but the unique flora, from vibrant alpine flowers to towering pandani palms, keeps you mesmerised every step of the way. There’s something special about walking through a World Heritage-listed wilderness, and the rugged beauty makes the effort more than worthwhile.
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Meander Falls
Although I've been told we shouldn’t go chasing waterfalls (thanks TLC), I have to make an exception for Meander Falls. The falls plunge steeply into two separate tiers through a cleft in the Great Western Tiers with a three-hour total return trip ensuring you get to experience all of the majesty on offer.
With some rocky and muddy sections, this one is not recommended for kiddies, but for the big kids, it seems to me like the perfect adventure day out. As a bonus for braving Tassie's winter temps, you might just be treated to the spectacle of the falls freezing, or at least forming large icicles in winter.
Truganini Track
One of my favourite things about Tassie is how easily you can escape into nature without leaving the city behind, Truganini Track is a perfect example of that. Starting from Hobart’s Mount Nelson suburb, this 2.1km one-way walk weaves through open forest and colourful wildflower patches. It’s peaceful, easygoing and ideal for those days when you want to stretch your legs without gearing up for anything too hardcore.
The track also passes the Truganini Memorial near the summit, a quiet and moving tribute to Tasmania’s First Peoples and their descendants. It’s not a long walk, but it leaves a lasting impression.
Overland Track
Cradle Mountain is synonymous with pristine wilderness, jaw-dropping views and incredible wildlife (Tasmanian Devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and the highly inquisitive black currawong to name a few). For those highly experienced daredevil climbers, the Overland Track stretches over 80kms all the way from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in a trek that usually spans across 5 to 6 days. . It’s one of Australia’s most iconic long-distance hikes and, thanks to the Parks and Wildlife team, it’s incredibly well-maintained and clearly marked—no bush-bashing or compass-wrangling required.
I know this one is a big commitment, but if you’ve got the gear, the stamina and a love of remote landscapes, the Overland Track delivers in spades.
Russell Falls
Mt. Field National Park is basically the great-great-grandparent of Aussie national parks: it’s the second-oldest in the country and still looking lush as ever. Just an hour from Hobart, this green wonderland is home to Russell Falls, Tassie's photogenic, favourite waterfalls.
The walk in is an easy, flat and wheelchair-accessible trail that lets you soak up the scenery without breaking a sweat. You'll wander beneath towering swamp gums, past mossy logs and thick fern canopies that make the whole thing feel like a scene from The Jungle Book. It's the kind of hike you can do with a coffee in your hand. Low effort, high reward, just how I'd like it if I'd had a few too many Tassie vinos the night before.
Cape Hauy
Located on the Tasman Peninsula in Hobart’s South West, the Cape Hauy track passes through the Port Arthur penal settlement, attracting tonnes of visitors every year. The path is well-built but definitely gets the blood pumping, especially if you head all the way to the lookout above the Candlestick and Totem Pole—two of the world’s most iconic sea stacks (and, for the brave, climbing routes).
I haven't committed to either of these pillars, the walk itself is still really rewarding. Sweeping ocean views, that wild Tasman wind and a mix of uphill burn and coastal bliss—it’s a solid half-day adventure that feels like a full-on nature documentary.
Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
I’m officially sanctioning doing the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track in Tevas. Forget hiking boots or trekking poles—when it’s low tide, you can stroll right along the beach with the waves lapping at your feet. Combining beach and bush, the trail stays mostly flat, so even if you’re only reasonably fit, you can expect to finish within about two hours.
There’s plenty to take in along the way, but the real showstopper is the natural arch—a massive, gravity-defying formation practically begging for a photo beneath it.
Montezuma Falls
Montezuma Falls is one of Tasmania's tallest waterfalls, and getting there is half the fun. The 8.2km return train winds through thick, mossy rainforest on the wild West Coast, following an old tramway route with suspension bridges, creeks and misty magic all the way to the main event.
The falls drop 104 metres into a rocky gorge, and when they’re pumping, it’s seriously cinematic. I recommend going after heavy rain for the full thunderous experience. I also recommend wearing a quality raincoat and ensuring your camera has a waterproof case, it can get pretty wet out there.
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Image credit: Urban List, Tourism Tasmania/Geoff Murray, Sarajayne Lada, James Vodicka, allaboutadventure, Paul Fleming, Tayla Gentle,
Jason Charles Hill, Jason Charles Hill