10 Best Day Hikes in Tasmania

With so many diverse and interesting landscapes to explore, Tasmania is not short on quality hiking options. Ranging from sweeping mountain ranges, swathes of temperate rainforest, dramatic coastal scenery, raging waterfalls and everything in-between, I've compiled a list of the best day hikes in Tasmania from the places I've visited over my travels to this wild and wonderful state. With a few pockets of the island left to explore, this list will change in the future, with Cradle Mountain sure to make the list soon.

I hope you find the list useful and be sure to click onto the individual pages for more information, maps, photos and an account of my time on the hike.

Tarn Shelf Circuit
Mount Field National Park

Length - 15.6km

Vertical Climb - 604m

Time - 5-8 Hours

A stunning alpine walk, the Tarn Shelf Circuit visits the lower lakes before a big climb past Twilight Hut, where you explore a series of alpine tarns providing stunning views of the surrounding national park.

Wineglass Bay Loop
Freycinet National Park

Length - 12.0km

Vertical Climb - 295m

Time - 3-5 Hours

Exploring beautiful Freycinet National Park on the East Coast, hike up to the stunning Wineglass Bay Lookout before looping back around the coastline via Hazards Beach.

Pinnacle Circuit
Mount Wellington

Length - 8.9km

Vertical Climb - 581m

Time - 3-5 Hours

The best way to hike up to the summit of Mount Wellington and experience the epic views over Hobart and the River Derwent, the Pinnacle Circuit combines a few of the excellent tracks running up the mountain.

Shadow Lake Circuit
Lake St Clair National Park

Length - 14.8km

Vertical Climb - 407m

Time - 4-7 Hours

The Shadow Lake Circuit takes you up into the alpine wilderness near the famous Lake St Clair, providing views of Mount Hugel, a visit to Shadow Lake and quality walking you won't forget.

Philosopher Falls
Waratah

Length - 3.9km

Vertical Climb - 96m

Time - 1-2 Hours

Located on the West Coast, Philosopher Falls sees you hike through some amazing temperature rainforest full of fungi and beech forest before reaching a lookout over a cascading waterfall.

Cape Raoul Track
Tasman National Park

Length - 16.0km

Vertical Climb - 482m

Time - 4-6 Hours

Across from the Three Capes Track, the Cape Raoul Track is an out and back hike providing stunning vistas over the South Ocean, excellent scenery and dramatic coastline packed full of dolerite columns.

Hartz Peak
Hartz Mountains National Park

Length - 7.8km

Vertical Climb - 402m

Time - 2-5 Hours

Hartz Peak is a fantastic hike that provides epic views over the surrounding landscape and beyond from the summit, along with visiting a couple of pristine alpine tarns.

Savage River Walk
Corinna

Length - 6.8km

Vertical Climb - 311m

Time - 2-3 Hours

Tucked away near Corinna on the West Coast is the Savage River Walk, exploring the ancient beech forests along the Pieman and Savage Rivers, with a couple of fungi filled hills providing wonderful scenery.

Fluted Cape Walk
South Bruny Island

Length - 6.8km

Vertical Climb - 358m

Time - 2-3 Hours

The best hike on Bruny Island, explore the edge of Adventure Bay, climbing up the edge of the dolerite cliffs that provide some beautiful views over the Southern Ocean and the dramatic coastline below.

The Needles Track
Southwest National Park

Length - 2.9km

Vertical Climb - 366m

Time - 1-3 Hours

A short but sharp climb, The Needles Track provides great views over the surrounding peaks and seemingly never-ending wilderness of Southwest National Park from the rocky summit.

Click for more Tasmanian Hikes

10 Best Day Hikes in Tasmania

Tarn Shelf Circuit Mount Field National Park

Wineglass Bay Loop Freycinet National Park

Pinnacle Circuit Mount Wellington

Shadow Lake Circuit Lake St Clair National Park

Philosopher Falls Waratah

Cape Raoul Track Tasman National Park

Hartz Peak Hartz Mountains National Park

Savage River Walk Corinna

Fluted Cape Walk South Bruny Island

The Needles Track Southwest National Park