Calcified Forest & Seal Rocks Walk
- September 14, 2026
A boardwalk walk to a 7,000-year-old calcified forest and dramatic cliff lookout in King Island"s remote south-west.
The Clifftop–Copperhead Walk is one of King Island’s best short coastal adventures, following the spectacular cliffs of Seal Rocks State Reserve through windswept heath and scrub overlooking the Southern Ocean. Unlike the nearby Calcified Forest Walk, this is a more adventurous, minimal-impact route. There isn’t a conventional formed track for much of the journey. Instead, walkers follow track markers across the coastal landscape, choosing a sensible route while keeping safely back from the steep cliff edges. The reward is a wonderfully wild stretch of King Island coastline, with huge ocean views, rugged cliffs and the full force of the Roaring Forties arriving from thousands of kilometres of open ocean to the west.
Location: Seal Rocks State Reserve, south-west King Island, Tasmania
Distance: Approximately 3.5 km return
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate – exposed, minimally formed coastal route
Track Type: Return
Track Surface: Minimal-impact route through coastal heath and scrub, guided by track markers
Best Time: A clear, relatively calm day for the best coastal views
The Clifftop–Copperhead Walk begins within Seal Rocks State Reserve on the remote south-western corner of King Island. Follow the signs for the Clifftop–Copperhead Walk and then use the track markers to guide your route through the low coastal vegetation. This isn’t a heavily constructed walking track. The minimal-impact approach allows the surrounding coastal landscape to retain much of its wild character, but it also means walkers need to pay more attention to where they’re going. The route follows the spectacular clifftops above the Southern Ocean, with expansive views opening almost immediately. Allow around 1.5 hours for the 3.5-kilometre return journey, particularly if you plan to stop regularly to enjoy the scenery and take photographs.
The cliffs are the defining feature of the walk. Seal Rocks State Reserve contains the tallest sea cliffs on King Island, rising approximately 60 metres above the Southern Ocean. The Clifftop–Copperhead route provides an opportunity to experience this landscape beyond the easily accessible Seal Rocks viewing platform. As you follow the coast, rocky headlands and steep cliffs fall away towards the ocean below, while offshore rocks are constantly battered by Southern Ocean swells. There are no safety fences along much of this remote route, so walkers should remain well back from cliff edges at all times.
Looking west from Seal Rocks, there are thousands of kilometres of open ocean before reaching South America. This enormous stretch of uninterrupted water helps explain the power of the weather and waves that shape King Island’s western coastline. The prevailing Roaring Forties sweep across the Southern Ocean before reaching the island, creating an exposed environment where wind is almost as much a part of the landscape as the cliffs themselves. On a clear day the ocean views are magnificent. In rough weather, the sight of large swells breaking against the rocks below can be spectacular, although strong winds also make walking close to cliffs considerably more hazardous.
The vegetation along the route reflects the harsh conditions of King Island’s south-west coast. Rather than tall forest, expect low-growing coastal heath and scrub shaped by persistent winds, salt spray and exposure. The vegetation can be particularly attractive when coastal plants are flowering, adding splashes of colour to an otherwise rugged landscape of heath, cliffs and ocean. Stay close to the marked route where possible to minimise damage to the surrounding vegetation.
One of the features that distinguishes the Clifftop–Copperhead Walk from many of Tasmania’s other short walks is the lack of a conventional constructed track. This is deliberately a minimal-impact walking route. Track markers indicate the general direction, but walkers are expected to choose an appropriate route between them rather than follow a continuous gravel or boardwalk surface. This creates a greater feeling of exploring a wild coastline, but it also requires more concentration than the nearby Calcified Forest Walk.
The Clifftop–Copperhead Walk crosses exposed coastal country with uneven natural surfaces.
Expect:
Appropriate walking footwear is strongly recommended. Although the distance is relatively short, the exposed location and proximity to steep cliffs mean this walk deserves considerably more care than an ordinary 3.5-kilometre recreational trail.
While visiting the area, don’t miss the nearby Seal Rocks Lookout. The lookout is reached by an easy walk of only around 80 metres from the car park and provides a spectacular view over cliffs rising approximately 60 metres above the Southern Ocean. It’s an excellent introduction to the landscape before tackling the longer Clifftop–Copperhead route.
Seal Rocks State Reserve protects important coastal habitat, so keep an eye out for native wildlife as you walk. Seabirds can often be seen soaring above the cliffs or feeding offshore, while wallabies and other native animals inhabit the surrounding heath and scrub. Short-tailed shearwaters breed within parts of Seal Rocks State Reserve, particularly around the Caves Creek area. If you’re fortunate, you may also spot marine wildlife offshore, so it’s worth occasionally stopping and scanning the ocean.
Clifftop–Copperhead Walk is located within Seal Rocks State Reserve in the south-west corner of King Island. From Currie, follow the B25 Grassy Road towards Grassy. At Nugara, take South Road and continue for approximately 22 kilometres before turning right onto Seal Rocks Road. Follow the road into Seal Rocks State Reserve and the parking areas for the coastal attractions. Because the reserve is relatively remote, allow plenty of time and consider combining the walk with the Calcified Forest and other attractions in southern King Island.
Facilities within Seal Rocks State Reserve are relatively basic.
There are no shops or cafes within the reserve, so bring drinking water, food and anything else you’ll need for your visit.
The relatively short distance may be manageable for active older children, but this isn’t an ideal walk for young children. The route follows steep coastal cliffs with unprotected edges and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife specifically advises that children should be supervised. Families wanting an easier option should consider the nearby Calcified Forest Walk or the short walk to Seal Rocks Lookout.
The Clifftop–Copperhead Walk can easily be combined with several other short walks within Seal Rocks State Reserve.
The Calcified Forest & Seal Rocks Walk is the easiest major walk in the reserve and one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The 1.3 km return, 30-minute Grade 2 walk leads through coastal vegetation to a viewing platform overlooking hundreds of unusual limestone structures formed around the roots of ancient vegetation.
The Seal Rocks Lookout requires only an approximately 80-metre walk from the car park. The viewing platform overlooks King Island’s tallest sea cliffs and provides an excellent view of the Southern Ocean.
The Caves Creek Track provides a more challenging option within Seal Rocks State Reserve. Starting from the Calcified Forest car park, this Grade 4 walk takes approximately two hours return and passes beneath arching tea-tree and through coastal scrub. The route passes short-tailed shearwater rookeries before climbing towards the Seal Rocks Lookout car park.
Nearby Surprise Bay offers another opportunity to experience the remote coastline of southern King Island. Its beaches, rocky shoreline and coastal scenery make it a worthwhile addition to a day exploring Seal Rocks State Reserve.
If you have a few hours available, the best way to experience Seal Rocks State Reserve is to combine several of its walks. Start with the short Seal Rocks Lookout, complete the Clifftop–Copperhead Walk while the weather is favourable, and then visit the Calcified Forest. More experienced walkers can also explore the Caves Creek Track. Together, these walks reveal very different sides of the reserve – towering sea cliffs, windswept coastal heath, nesting seabirds and the extraordinary 7,000-year-old landscape of the Calcified Forest.
The Clifftop–Copperhead Walk is one of the best ways to experience King Island’s wild south-western coastline on foot. At only 3.5 kilometres return, it isn’t a particularly long walk, but its minimal-impact route, exposed clifftops and sweeping Southern Ocean views give it a much stronger sense of adventure than the distance might suggest. With the Roaring Forties sweeping across the heath and waves breaking against King Island’s tallest sea cliffs below, this is a walk where the weather, ocean and landscape are very much part of the experience. Combine it with the Calcified Forest and Seal Rocks Lookout and you have one of the best short-walking destinations on King Island.
A boardwalk walk to a 7,000-year-old calcified forest and dramatic cliff lookout in King Island"s remote south-west.
