Name: Best trails in Southwest National Park
Address: Tasmania, Australia
Rating: 4.3

Best trails in Southwest National Park

4.3(2,246 reviews)

Australia
:
#83 of 637 national parks

Southwest National Park is located on the South West Coast of Tasmania on Palawa land and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is Tasmania's largest national park and has some long multi-day walks like the Southern Coast Track, as well as plenty of shorter walks to give you a taste of this beautiful wilderness area.

Weather in this region is incredibly unpredictable and can become severe with very short notice, being prepared when entering this park and region is a must and not to be taken lightly.

The park's wilderness and dense forest are very well protected because of the park's remoteness, absence of infrastructures (some parts of the park can only be accessed by foot, boat or small aircraft), minimal human activity (only people hiking in the park) and inhospitable weather all year round. Before European settlement of Tasmania, Aboriginal people had inhabited this area for over 25 000 years and archaeologists have found great examples of this within the park.

Top trails

#1 - South Cape Bay Trail

This is a scenic hike through the wilderness of Southwest National Park in the southern most tip of Tasmania, Australia. This out and back trail begins and ends from the parking area near Boltons Green Campground within the park. From here you'll follow the South Coast Track all the way to the wild beach and along to the South Cape Bay Campsite. The trail itself is not that well maintained and a little overgrown in some areas but is easy to navigate and offers some seriously stunning views...

#2 - Mount Anne Trail

This is a demanding track taking you up past the Eliza Plateau passing the amazing Eve Peak and Frances Bluff to the summit of Mount Anne. This is a highly exposed walk taking you over moorland with little to no tree cover experienced along the way. Preparing for this trip is not to be taken lightly, although it might be a short walk, the weather can change incredibly quickly and become severe with very short notice. Taking spare warm clothes, decent shoes, water and food are all...

#3 - The Needles Track

4.6(220)

•Moderate

•1.5 mi

Looking for a short but challenging hike in Tasmania? Look no further than The Needles, a group of rocky spires in the south-west of the island. This hike is a must-do stop along the scenic Gordon River Road (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/tasmania/gordon-river-road), and is only a 1.5 hour drive from Hobart. As you ascend the trail, you'll be treated to stunning views of Tasmania's South-West Wilderness World Heritage Area. However, be prepared for a rocky and muddy track,...

#4 - Fishers Point Trail

4.4(144)

•Moderate

•3.1 mi

A beautiful coastal trail near the southern most point you can drive to in Tasmania, located not too far from Cockle Creek. This out and back route begins and ends from the parking area near the Whale Sculpture in Southwest National Park. Enjoy making your way along the shoreline out to Fishers Point and back again. A good idea to look up the tides before heading out as some sections of the trail will be under water during high tide.

#5 - Lake Skinner Track

This is a straightforward walk up to Lake Skinner. Starting outside the perimeter of the Southwest National Park you'll make your way up a well marked trail through mossy rainforest dense with ferns. This walk takes you up around 1000 metres above sea level and the weather can be erratic and change quickly with out warning. Bringing water, decent shoes, warm clothes and a bite to eat are essential in this terrain. Always make sure you check the weather before heading out.

#6 - Western Arthur Range Traverse

4.4(80)

•Hard

•36.1 mi

Located in South West National Park, the Western Arthurs Ranges feature 22 significant peaks and 30 lakes due to glaciation in the area in recent ice ages. While this has been frequently referred to as Tasmania's most excellent trail by bushwalkers for its breathtaking landscape features, it is also one of the most dangerous for its extreme and rapidly changing weather conditions and varied technical terrain. This is a challenging multi-day hike with many steep gully ascents and descents,...

#7 - South Coast Track: South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek

This hike is part of Tasmania's South Coast Track, a 6-8 day bushwalking track that runs along the rugged and wild coastline. This specific route is the finale of the multi-day hike taking you from South Cape Rivulet to the shallow sandy inlet of Cockle Creek. The area is rich with flora and fauna, expect to cross sensational wildflowers, swamp grasses, soft sandy beaches, richly vegetated depressions, and even the magnificent Sea Elephant, often spotted lazing about at Lion Rock. There is...

Lake Judd Trail is a visually stunning track leading to...you guessed it! Lake Judd. A top trail in South West National Park, this path is one to add to the to-do list. This breathtaking wilderness walk follows wooden walkways over button-grass plains and crosses the Anne River suspension bridge. Sections without the wooden walkways can be wet and boggy, so proper footwear (preferably waterproof) is critical. The section leading up to the lake is a hard slog, but the adventurous will be...

#9 - Mystery Creek Cave

4.4(77)

•Moderate

•2.3 mi

A relatively easy walk in Southwest National Park, located in the central southern top of Tasmania, Australia. The trail head out to the Mystery Creek Cave through lush green forest, that can be slippery after rain. The main section near the entrance of the is fine to investigate without a guide. Take a headlamp with plenty of battery to explore the caves!

#10 - Mount Wedge Summit Track

A great trail within the Southwest National Park in southern Tasmania, located near Lake Gordon. This out and back route begins and ends from Gordon River Road. The trail itself features a solid climb up to the summit of Mount Wedge (1147m) and back again along the Moung Wedge Track. A good mix of terrain with rainforest followed by bushland and then a rocky scramble to the top where you'll be rewarded with some spectacular views.

Showing results 1–10 of 76

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Trail reviews for Southwest National Park

3,154 trailgoers Busiest in January

Sheila Doyle

Feb 9, 2025•Hiking

It is a relatively easy 14k hike mostly on duckboard. The last section to the lake is uphill but extremely doable. The weather and views on the hike were absolutely stunning. It was very hot and sunny (29 degrees), unusual for Southwest National Park. Took roughly 4h 45 minutes in total to the start and back.

Conditions: Great!

Lake Judd Trail

Pika Pika

Aug 27, 2025

Not crowdedGreat views

Probably the best easy hike in Southwest. Amazing views all the way up but with muddy and steep sections. Weather changes quickly and get prepared

The Needles Track

Mh3 Hounds

Dec 22, 2024•Hiking

Good views

The South Coast Track: A Grim Excursion The fickleness of Tasmanian weather rendered flights from the 23rd onwards a hopeless endeavour. Left with little choice, I resolved to walk from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca, clinging to the faint hope of finding a flight there. What followed was a journey marked by discomfort, folly, and the occasional glimpse of beauty. Day 1: Cockle Creek to South Cape Rivulet The journey began innocently enough, a gentle hike under reasonable conditions. A late start meant progress was modest, but the campsite at South Cape Rivulet was pleasing—a serene and scenic spot. It might have been a promising start if not for the ominous clouds of Tasmanian reality gathering on the horizon. Day 2: South Cape Rivulet to Granite Beach This was where the illusion of adventure gave way to unmitigated misery. The track devolved into a vast bog, an endless march through knee-deep mud that stretched for ten torturous kilometres. The uphill slogs felt like a descent into Mordor itself, bereft of anything resembling hope or reprieve. By the time I reached Granite Beach, I was too weary to fully appreciate its picturesque setting. All that mattered was that it was not a swamp. Day 3: Granite Beach to Prion Boats The third day’s trials were a study in endurance. The path demanded countless scrambles over and under fallen trees, a relentless and fatiguing obstacle course that left me drained. While the mud persisted, it was mercifully less abundant than the previous day, though my spirits remained mired in it. Day 4: Prion Boats to Lower Ironbound Camp Forewarned of worsening weather, I pressed on to gain elevation, anticipating that the climb ahead would be a challenge. The day began with a hint of warmth, a cruel joke played by the Tasmanian summer. By afternoon, howling winds and a southwesterly squall shattered any pretense of comfort. Rain lashed the camp through the night, a grim lullaby for my weary body. Day 5: Lower Ironbound Camp to Louisa River This was a day to test both resolve and reason. The ascent began with a flowing creek masquerading as a track, the terrain a treacherous blend of mud and fallen trees. Near the summit, blizzard conditions set in, and temperatures plummeted into the realm of genuine danger. Crossing the plateau was an exercise in survival, with 100km/h winds, sleet, and hail battering me from all sides. The descent, though easier in comparison, offered little solace, with the relentless rain and mud following me like a curse. By the time I reached Louisa River, I was soaked, freezing, and utterly spent. Day 6: Louisa Creek to Melaleuca I awoke to a desolate scene: hail carpeting the ground and a thunderstorm rolling ominously overhead. After a sleepless night, I packed my sodden gear and set out for the final 24 kilometres, driven by the promise of a dry hut at Melaleuca. The track was easier to navigate but no less wretched under the unrelenting rain. When I finally arrived, drenched and chilled to the bone, it was less a triumph than a desperate escape. Reflections Tasmania offers no such thing as summer. This track is a venture for only the supremely fit, resilient, and well-prepared. The trail itself is an affront to civility—poorly maintained and rendered nearly impassable by the ceaseless traffic of unprepared walkers, many inspired more by social media than by any understanding of the terrain. It is a track where mistakes are unforgiving, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of three hikers this week alone. Parks Tasmania must take responsibility for these conditions, introducing emergency huts in critical locations and addressing the risks posed by the increasing popularity of the walk. The South Coast Track is not a pursuit for the faint-hearted or ill-equipped. It demands fitness, experience, and a generous dose of luck with the weather. For those without these, the track offers only the prospect of hardship—or worse.

Conditions: Bugs, Muddy, Overgrown, Snow, Icy, Dusty

Parking: Permit required, Free, Large lot

Difficulty: Strenuous

South Coast Track: Full Walk

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Southwest National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Southwest National Park is South Cape Bay Trail, which has a 4.5 star rating from 408 reviews. This trail is 10.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 715 ft.

What is the longest trail in Southwest National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Southwest National Park is Port Davey and South Coast Tracks (North to South). This trail is estimated to be 97.3 mi long.

How many trails are in Southwest National Park?

There are 76 trails in Southwest National Park. These trails have an average 4.3-star rating from 2,246 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Southwest National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Southwest National Park has you covered. Western Arthur Range Traverse: Huon River to Picton River boasts the most elevation gain with 33,717 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Western Arthur Range Traverse, which will get you 24,934 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Southwest National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 45 camping trails in Southwest National Park and the most popular is South Cape Bay Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 408 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Southwest National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 running trails in Southwest National Park and the most popular is Lake Skinner Track with an average 4.4 star rating from 86 community reviews.