St Marys Pass Lookout Walk
- August 24, 2026
A quick, easy forest walk to a coastal lookout just east of St Marys — one of the simplest scenic…
Dry Forest, Deep Waterholes and a Rocky Gorge Scramble
The Apsley Gorge River & Waterhole Circuit is one of the standout walks in Douglas-Apsley National Park, combining gentle dry-forest walking with a much more adventurous return through the rocky Apsley River gorge. The first part of the walk is comparatively easy, passing through open eucalypt woodland to the beautiful Apsley Waterhole before climbing through dry forest and descending toward the gorge. The character of the walk changes completely if you complete the full circuit. Instead of returning on the formed track, the route follows the river downstream through the gorge, involving boulder hopping, slippery rock and rough riverbed scrambling. This river return should only be attempted when water levels are low and no rain is forecast. In good conditions, it is one of the best half-day adventures near Bicheno and one of Tasmania’s recognised Great Short Walks.
The walk begins with a gentle stroll through open dry woodland toward Apsley Waterhole. From the waterhole, the track crosses the river and climbs through dry, open forest before descending again toward Apsley Gorge. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife describes the park as protecting one of the few largely uncleared dry forests remaining in Tasmania. The formed walking track is generally straightforward, but the full circuit becomes much more demanding once you begin the return through the river itself. The gorge section involves slippery scrambling and boulder hopping along the riverbed, with uneven rocks, deeper pools and narrow sections slowing progress. Water levels determine whether the circuit is safe and practical, so never assume the river return will be suitable simply because the weather is fine when you arrive.
The full Apsley Gorge circuit is officially listed as a Grade 3 walk. The formed-track sections are not especially difficult, but the river return requires balance, confident footing and patience over wet and uneven rocks. If river levels are too high, walkers should return on the formed track instead. That option is approximately 5.6 km return and takes around 2–3 hours. The full circuit is therefore best suited to walkers who are comfortable moving over rough riverbed terrain.
The beautiful Apsley Waterhole is one of the highlights of Douglas-Apsley National Park and can be reached very quickly from the main car park. The large, clear pool sits beneath dry forest and rocky slopes and is particularly popular for swimming on warm East Coast days. It also makes a natural resting point before continuing deeper into the park. If you decide the gorge circuit is too demanding, simply enjoying the waterhole and returning by the easier route still makes for a worthwhile outing.
The gorge provides the adventurous half of the circuit. Here, the Apsley River has carved through dry hills to create a rocky channel punctuated by pools, small falls and boulder-filled sections. Progress is slower than on the formed track because walkers need to pick their way carefully over uneven riverbed rock. In suitable conditions, this section transforms what might otherwise be a pleasant forest walk into a genuine little adventure.
Douglas-Apsley is unusual among Tasmania’s national parks because of its extensive dry forest. The national park protects one of Tasmania’s last substantial areas of uncleared dry eucalypt forest, creating a landscape very different from the rainforest, alpine and coastal scenery found in many of the state’s better-known parks. The contrast between the dry forest above and the cool river gorge below is one of the walk’s defining features.
The Douglas and Apsley Rivers are also important habitat for the endangered Australian Grayling. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife notes that these native fish live in the river system and can grow to around 30 centimetres in length. Their presence is another reminder that the river is an important natural ecosystem as well as a recreational swimming and walking destination.
You don’t need to complete the full gorge circuit to enjoy Douglas-Apsley National Park. The easiest option is simply to walk to Apsley Waterhole, which is only about 1.2 km return and takes around 15 minutes. This gentle walk passes through eucalypts and wattles and is suitable for families and younger children. You can spend time swimming or relaxing beside the waterhole before returning to the car park.
Easier Option
Approximately 5.6 km return • 2–3 hours • Grade 2 • Return on the formed track
Full Gorge Circuit
Approximately 7 km • 4–5 hours • Grade 3 • Riverbed scrambling • Low water only
If conditions are questionable, choose the formed-track return. The gorge circuit will still be there another day.
The gorge circuit requires more care than the easier Waterhole walk:
The full circuit is not recommended for young children. The riverbed scrambling and boulder hopping can be tiring and awkward for inexperienced walkers. The much shorter walk to Apsley Waterhole, however, is an excellent family option and is promoted as suitable for walkers of most abilities. Families can enjoy the forest and swimming hole without committing to the harder gorge circuit.
No. Dogs and other domestic pets are not permitted within Douglas-Apsley National Park.
Douglas-Apsley National Park lies just inland from Bicheno on Tasmania’s East Coast. From Bicheno, head north on the Tasman Highway for about 3 km and turn onto Rosedale Road. Follow the road toward the southern entrance of Douglas-Apsley National Park and the Apsley Waterhole car park. The drive from central Bicheno is short, making the park an easy half-day excursion from town.
Visitor facilities are concentrated at the southern Apsley Waterhole entrance.
Current facilities include:
There are no substantial facilities once you head into the park, so carry everything needed for the walk.
Yes.
A valid Tasmania Parks Pass is required for entry to Douglas-Apsley National Park.
The full gorge circuit is best undertaken during dry, settled weather when river levels are low. Summer can be especially appealing because Apsley Waterhole offers an excellent swimming opportunity on warm days. However, Douglas-Apsley is also bushfire-prone country, so check current fire conditions and park alerts during hot weather. After heavy rain, stick to the formed-track return rather than attempting the river gorge.
The Apsley Gorge Circuit packs two very different experiences into one half-day walk. The first half is a relaxed journey through Tasmania’s distinctive dry eucalypt forest, with the beautiful Apsley Waterhole providing an excellent place to stop and swim. Then the walk changes character completely as you descend into the gorge and begin picking your way over boulders beside the Apsley River. That contrast — open dry forest above and cool rocky gorge below — is what makes the walk so memorable.
For walkers wanting something more adventurous than a simple forest stroll while remaining within easy reach of Bicheno, the Apsley Gorge Circuit is one of the best half-day walks on Tasmania’s East Coast.
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