Awe-inspiring national parks across Tasmania for your next trip

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is easily the most iconic national parks in Tasmania. With dramatic mountains and glacial lakes, the national park could easily be mistaken for a rural European oasis. 

If you’re an avid hiker, then you’ll be pleased to know that the national park is home to The Overland Track, one of Australia’s premier long-distance walks. Spanning 65 kilometres and taking six days to complete, The Overland Track will march you right through the heart of the Alpine beauty of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair. If a multi-day hike isn’t your thing, don’t fret, there’s plenty of adventure to be had here beyond walking from skiing to camping.

When you visit Freycinet National Park, be sure to pack a good camera because this park is all about those postcard-perfect views. From pink granite peaks to the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of the famous Wineglass Bay, this national park is not short on picture-worthy views. 

Located on Tasmania’s east coast, no visit to the park is complete without a hike to the Wineglass Bay Lookout where you get a front row seat to jaw-dropping sunrises, the bay below and the surrounding forests. Beyond the beach, there are plenty of kayaking, wildlife spotting, and camping opportunities to keep you busy.

Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s oldest and most beloved national parks. It’s known as a year-long park, which means that whether you visit it in Tasmania’s chilly Winter or warm Summer, there’ll be a load of adventure to be had here. In the Summer be sure to check out Russell Falls, a stunning three-tiered waterfall lies hidden in a rainforest. In the higher altitudes, the park becomes a Winter wonderland where thrill-seekers can go snowboarding and cross-country skiing.

Avid rock-climbers, this next national park is for you. Located on the Tasman Peninsula is the Tasman National Park you’ll find some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Australia. The park is famous for its sea cliffs and rugged coastline. But it is perhaps best known for being a haven for rock climbers. Home to the ‘Totem Pole’, a 65 metre dolerite sea stack off Cape Hauy, many rock climbers cite this national park as being on their bucket list of dream places to climb and abseil. 

Don’t worry if rock climbing isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other adventures to be had. The Three Capes Track is a world-class walking experience that takes you along some of these cliffs without having to climb them. You can also visit natural wonders like the Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, and the blowhole.

For some people, national parks provide the rare chance to escape. Over time, the perilous hustle and bustle of modern life and urbanisation can get to us. Southwest National Park is as remote as it gets when it comes to Tasmanian national parks. Spanning over 6,000 square kilometres, this vast, remote wilderness reserve is Tasmania’s biggest national park. It is also part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. 

The park has limited access to most of the areas with most sites only being reachable by foot, boat, or light aircraft – so you’re getting the most out of your wilderness escapade here. From hiking to caving, scuba diving, fishing and camping – the dreariness of city living will be all but a dream here.