Perks of the National Parks

In Tasmania you can buy an annual pass* for the state's
assortment of national parks and reserves that covers
entry fees whenever you choose to go.

By pure fluke, we bought ours in early October when apparently it is a cheaper rate - it gets more expensive after that with the influx of visitors for the Tasmania tourism season. However, we plan to make the most of the park pass - the guide lists the total of accessible parks at 17 - and they are in every region of the island.  *Shorter length passes are also available for non-Tasmanian travellers.

Freycinet National Park, Tasmania Tourism drawcard

The National Parks, Forests & Waterways Tasmania Visitors' Guide provides substantial information that is easy to read and gives sound advice. Used in conjunction with Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks it contains everything you need to know about embarking on a short stroll or an epic trek. (Without naming names, not everyone in our family has the fitness level required for anything past “moderate” as yet, but hopefully after getting a bit more value from our park pass, we can remedy that.)

The snow capped mountains of Mt Field National Park (home of Russell Falls)

One of our favourite things to do in Tasmania so far has been discovering the Mount Field National Park's many attractions, in particular the hike to Russell Falls.

This was an easy walk for even someone fairly unfit (not divulging the source of that opinion) and the reward was a fabulous sight: a wall of spring mountain water falling right in front of the viewing platform. More photo opportunities!

Just as the drive from New Norfolk, about 1 hour north-west of Hobart, to Mount Field offers some impressive scenery enroute.

Arve Falls, Hartz Mountains
near Tahune AirWalk

Same deal for hobby photography at the AirWalk, part of the Tahune Forest Reserve near Geeveston in the state's south. The Huon Trail is a well-known route promoted for Tasmania tourism, but the day of our visit (think sunny, mild, April weather) the first class facilities were not exactly swamped and we pretty much had the run of the place. And again the hiking options included something to suit all levels of experience and health (thank goodness!). NB entrance fees apply - Forestry Tasmania attraction.

The Visitors' Guide has this to say about Hartz Mountains:

Drive 13 km west of Geeveston through extensive eucalypt production forests then take the narrow rough gravel road into the Hartz Mountains NP. A range of walking tracks leads through subalpine woodlands to ice-carved crags, lakes and alpine moorlands.

So rev up the walking poles, pack the sunscreen
and the picnic basket, and let's go...