Our Top Five Short Walks Near Hobart
BY FRANCES ROBERTS
Need some nature time? And a leg stretch? Yes, us too. But here’s the thing: some days you just don’t have it in you to pack your lunch, fill the tank, and drive for over an hour to achieve said objectives. Luckily, there are some ripper strolls to be had close to town. And by town, we mean Hobart - sorry northern Tasmanians, your shortlist is coming soon, promise!
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Summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington (image: Samuel Shelley)
According to Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service’s list of 60 Great Short Walks, a ‘short’ walk can range from 30 minutes to seven hours. This is very Tassie spec. We hear you, Tas Parks - seven hours is a short walk compared to seven days on the South Coast Track. But, as we said, we can’t be bothered packing lunch, so without further ado, here are our top five walks under three hours near Hobart. For the days you need some Tassie great outdoors time, but not so much that you need to consider self-catering.
In order of difficulty:
ROCHES BEACH TO SEVEN MILE BEACH COASTAL WALK
6.4km return, 2-ish hours
Ready for the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore? Make sure you take time to unplug those pesky earphones and absorb the coastal soundscape. Starting near the Lauderdale Yacht Club (where free parking is available), this walk follows a gently undulating gravel path along a beautiful section of coastline. If weather allows, pack your swimmers for a solitary dip at the one of the little beaches only accessible via this track. Purists won’t class this trail as a genuine nature bath, as several houses can be seen 20 metres or so above the track at the start of the walk. But if you want to escape the crowds and touch sand on a tight timeframe, this walk is for you.
We recommend starting and finishing at Roches Beach. This is for one reason, and one reason only: you’re only a five-minute drive away from Brine and Driftwood Restaurant for pre- and post-walk nourishment. We were serious about not packing lunch. Roches Beach is part of the Greater Hobart Region, and about 25 minutes’ drive from the Hobart CBD.
Roches Beach to Seven Mile Beach Coastal Walk (image: Frances Roberts)
ALUM CLIFFS WALK, KINGSTON
7km return, 3-ish hours
Another coastal gem but with cliffs, more greenery, and a bit more elevation. Starting at the northern end of Kingston Beach, this out-and-back walk will take you through native bushland and atop some speccy sea cliffs. We love speccy sea cliffs. For those who are elevation intolerant, be aware that there’s a decent number of stairs just before you reach the Shot Tower in Taroona. But never fear. As a circuit track, you needn’t tackle the timber ladder if you don’t want to - just turn around. Near enough is good enough.
Kingston Beach is a 15-25-minute drive from Hobart CBD, depending on traffic. Nearby tasty pit stops include The Salty Dog, Boho at the Beach and Robbie Brown’s.
Sunrise over Kingston Beach (image: Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborne)
ORGAN PIPES TRACK, KUNANYI/MOUNT WELLINGTON
7.4km return, 2.5 hours
What. A. Stunner.
But before we get carried away, please place your hand upon your heart and recite Hobart’s unofficial anthem.
It’s 10 degrees colder on the mountain, so don’t forget your layers,
Wearing Vans and a poncho? Count your flippin’ pray-ers.
Don’t be that silly goose who has to call the chopper,
Grippy boots and back-up kit are how to do it proper.
Okay fine, we just made that up. But if you take only one thing from this article, let it be an appreciation for Kunanyi’s 10-degrees-colder-than-sea-level phenomenon. She gets cold up there. Pack some layers, wear shoes with decent grip and, if there's snow about, expect icy patches. No one wants to become the numpty rescued by Tas Police or, worse still, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter because they got a bit cold and started seeing fairies. We’re warning you, the Tasmanian media does not hold punches when it comes to ill-prepared visitors (yes, we’re still roasting that guy who tried to climb Cradle Mountain barefoot).
Starting from The Springs, this track climbs steadily beneath the towering Organ Pipes - up to 120 metre-high dolerite columns that were formed millions of years ago as Tasmania separated from Antarctica. The track finishes at the historic stone Chalet before returning the same way, with cracking views across Hobart along the journey.
The Springs is around a 20-minute drive from Hobart CBD, or you can catch the Kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus if you'd rather leave the car behind. Afterwards, warm up with coffee and something delicious from Ginger Brown Café or Lost Freight.
Organ Pipes Track, Kunanyi/Mount Wellington (image: Frances Roberts)
CATHEDRAL ROCK, NEIKA
9km return, 3 hours
This one feels much more bushwalk-y. Though the walk starts at the end of Betts Road, be warned: the road gets pretty narrow towards the end which makes turning around difficult if other cars have already parked there. It’s best to park by the river opposite no. 125 - from here, it’s only a five-minute walk up to the trail head.
Don’t mind the semi-hidden teepee set-up on the left. Tassie hippies are really lovely people provided you’re not here to cut down native old-growth forest. Which you’re not, so you’ll be fine. And you haven’t packed lunch, so there’s no risk of a salmon bagel-induced altercation. Side note: please don’t buy farmed salmon, folks. Look it up.
Back to the trail: not going to lie, it’s steep. A meandering intro takes you through temperate rainforest with beautiful river views, but soon enough things will get serious. As in, 600-metres-of-elevation-over-two-kilometres serious. We should also mention that the last few hundred meters are a rough, narrow scramble over rocky ground that demands a bit of hands-on effort to reach the summit. At the top, you’re rewarded with big, sweeping views across Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, the Huon Valley and the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
After that incline, you’ve more than earned a feed at Summer Kitchen Bakery in Ranelagh. The wallaby and potato pie, to be precise.
Allow roughly 30 minutes to drive from the city centre to the Cathedral Rock walking track parking area.
COLLINS BONNET SUMMIT, COLLINSVALE
8.7km return, 3 hours (speedy pace), 4-4.5 hours (normal people)
This one's for the fitness-certified bushwalkers or trail runners who want something with a bit of oomph. Not everyone can knock this over in under three hours, so - if that timeline is your plan - prep your quads accordingly.
Beginning at Myrtle Forest, the trail winds through lush rainforest beside Myrtle Falls before settling into a steady, leg-warming climb. Eventually you'll emerge onto a fire trail where things ease off for a while, before the final push to the summit. The last section involves a little rock scrambling - nothing too technical, but enough to make you feel like you've earned the view.
And what a view. At just a whisker lower than Kunanyi, Collins Bonnet delivers sweeping panoramas across southern Tasmania without the crowds you'll often find on the mountain itself. Expect muddy patches, steep sections and the occasional blast of wind, and turn those expectations into wisdom by befriending sturdy shoes.
Make an early start to avoid potential ‘crowds’ (maybe 15 cars) around Myrtle Falls, and to leverage plenty of recovery time afterwards, including a well-deserved stop at The Agrarian Kitchen Kiosk in New Norfolk - a 30 minute drive from the Myrtle Forest carpark if you take the back road via Molesworth.
Allow 40 minutes to drive from the CBD to Myrtle Forest, with provision for a little overage if Brooker Highway is taking the day slowly (it often is). This one is memorable way to finish a list - and an even better way to spend half a day.
Collins Bonnet Summit, Collinsvale (image: Frances Roberts)
