Seven wonders of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

You’ve probably heard that Tasmania’s Port Arthur is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but did you know that a huge chunk of wilderness – some 20% of the state – is too? The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area includes seven national parks, all well worth visiting.

It would take 1.6 million lifetimes to fully appreciate the area’s 1.6 million hectares, so hit each park’s hot spot to experience the best of this diverse, breath-taking landscape. Lush rainforests, pristine beaches, craggy mountains and wild rivers are yours for the cost of a Parks Pass, available from Parks Tasmania and on Spirit of Tasmania at the Tourism Hub.

Welcome to a land of mirror-like lakes, varied vegetation, abundant wildlife and glacier-sculpted mountains, including the eponymous peak featured in countless photos. Get an eyeful on one of the world’s bucket-list hikes, the 65-kilometre Overland Track. This challenging yet wildly popular walk takes six days, travelling between the two natural features that give Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park its name. An easier option is the 2-3 hour Dove Lake circuit walk, which has almost constant Cradle Mountain views.

In the World Heritage Area’s heart, this is a true wilderness of deep gorges, impenetrable rainforest and rivers that twist and roar through the rugged landscape. Rafting the Franklin River, which takes eight to 14 days depending on conditions, is the ultimate Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park experience, attracting thrill-seekers and tree-huggers from around the world. Or take it easy on a Gordon River Cruise.

Only 80 kilometres from Hobart and packed with sublime scenery, Mt Field National Park is ideal if you aren’t into extreme adventure. It’s blessed with diverse vegetation, from fern forests to fagus, the native deciduous beech tree that glows red and gold in autumn, as well as numerous waterfalls. Take the short, wheelchair-accessible track to Russell Falls, a spectacular tiered cascade that featured on Australia’s first stamp.

An underground wonderland awaits in Mole Creek Karst National Park, which has 300-plus caves filled with limestone formations. The most accessible and awe-inspiring is Marakoopa Cave, named for an Indigenous word meaning ‘handsome’. Guided tours reveal crystals, stalactites, stalagmites, reflecting pools and subterranean streams, plus Australia’s biggest glow-worm display.

Tasmania’s largest park is 600,000 hectares of mostly remote wilderness, from ancient, towering Huon pines to white quartzite beaches. One of Tassie’s great escapes is camping and kayaking around the south coast’s beautiful Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey, which are usually accessed from Melaleuca’s little airstrip. Or simply drive into Southwest National Park’s north and take a walk – perhaps the family-friendly Creepy Crawly Nature Trail.

Just 84 kilometres from Hobart, Hartz Mountains National Park is a great place to quickly get away from it all among waterfalls, glacial lakes, forests, alpine moors and jagged peaks. The difficult four-hour return Mt Hartz summit walk is rewarded with panoramic views across the wilderness to remote mountain ranges. The easiest alternative is Waratah Lookout.

Tasmania’s only true alpine park isn’t for the casual visitor: it’s not directly accessible by road, is exposed to changeable weather and has limited public facilities. If you’re up for a Central Highlands adventure though, try the full-day trek to the craggy geological feature that gives the Walls of Jerusalem National Park its name. From Herod’s Gate to Lake Salome, you will pass many other places whose wonders are of biblical proportions.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.