Short Bushwalks Douglas Apsley National Park (And Where to Camp Nearby)

Sandwiched between Freycinet and Bay of Fires on the Great Eastern Drive, Douglas-Apsley National Park and the stretch of coast around Bicheno and St Marys get skipped by a lot of travellers rushing between the two bigger names. That’s their loss — Douglas-Apsley is Tasmania’s largest remaining stand of dry eucalypt forest, cut through by a deep river gorge, while the coastal towns nearby have short, easy tracks over pink granite and heathland that make a good stretch-the-legs stop on the way north or south. 

See: 60 Great Short Walks Tasmania

This region rewards a mixed itinerary: one inland gorge walk with some rock-hopping, and a handful of short coastal strolls around Bicheno, Humbug Point and St Marys. None of these need more than a few hours, so they’re easy to slot into a day of driving.

1. Douglas Apsley Loop Track  Apsley Waterhole

A short, flat stroll from the Apsley Waterhole car park down to the river, where a wide, calm swimming hole sits below layered dolerite banks. It’s an easy introduction to the park and a good spot to cool off in summer.

Distance: 1.2km return • Time: 15–20 minutes • Difficulty: Grade 1 (easy) • Dogs: Not permitted (national park)

Nearest campground: Apsley Waterhole bush camp, Douglas-Apsley National Park

2. Apsley Gorge River Waterhole Circuit

The park’s signature walk. From the waterhole, a graded track climbs through dry forest to a gorge lookout before the route drops into the riverbed for the return leg — rock-hopping and wading back through Apsley Gorge past pools and small cascades. Only attempt the river return when levels are low and no rain is forecast; otherwise, backtrack the way you came for an easier out-and-back.

Distance: 5.6km return (track only, Grade 2) or up to 8km as a loop via the gorge (Grade 3) • Time: 2–3 hours return, or 4–5 hours for the full circuit • Difficulty: Grade 2–3 (moderate to hard, depending on route) • Dogs: Not permitted (national park)

Nearest campground: Apsley Waterhole bush camp, Douglas-Apsley National Park

3. Bicheno Blowhole Foreshore Walk

A well-formed coastal track linking Redbill Beach and Diamond Island up past the Gulch (Bicheno’s little fishing harbour) to the blowhole, which puts on a show in a decent swell. At low tide you can also cross the sandbar out to Diamond Island itself, home to a small penguin colony. Mostly flat gravel and granite platform walking with sea views the whole way.

Distance: Around 4km return (shorter options available) • Time: 1–1.5 hours • Difficulty: Grade 2 (easy) • Dogs: On leash in most sections — check local signage, as some stretches of Bicheno’s foreshore are declared exercise or no-dog areas

Nearest campground: Bicheno Bush Camp

4. Whalers Lookout Walk Bicheno

A short, steep climb up through coastal bush to two viewing platforms with panoramic views over Bicheno’s crescent harbour and out to Governor Island Marine Reserve. Worth the puff for sunset.

Distance: Under 1km return • Time: 20 minutes • Difficulty: Grade 2 (short but steep) • Dogs: On leash — check local signage

Nearest campground: Bicheno Bush Camp

5. Humbug Point Coastal Track, near St Helens

North of St Helens, the Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area has a network of easy coastal tracks past orange granite headlands and quiet coves along Georges Bay. The full traverse from Skeleton Bay to Moulting Bay takes most of a day, but it’s easily broken into shorter out-and-back legs — Skeleton Bay to Grants Point is a good half-day option with several beach and lookout stops.

Distance: Around 5km return (Skeleton Bay to Grants Point section) • Time: 2 hours return • Difficulty: Grade 2 (easy) • Dogs: Permitted on leash

Nearest campground: Humbug Point Camping, St Helens

6. St Marys Pass Lookout Walk

A quick detour off the Esk Highway east of St Marys, this short forest walk climbs to a viewing platform with sweeping views back down over the pass and out towards the coast. A handy leg-stretcher if you’re driving the inland route between St Marys and the coast.

Distance: Under 1km return • Time: 10 minutes • Difficulty: Grade 1 (easy) • Dogs: On leash — state reserve, check signage

Nearest campground: Lagoons Beach Conservation Area, near St Marys

Planning Your Trip

Douglas-Apsley National Park requires a Tasmanian Parks Pass for vehicle entry — buy online in advance or at a nearby visitor centre, as there’s no booth on site. The coastal walks around Bicheno, Humbug Point and St Marys are outside the national park system and don’t require a pass. Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Douglas-Apsley National Park, including on the Apsley Waterhole and gorge tracks. Around Bicheno, Humbug Point and St Marys, leash rules apply and vary by reserve, so check local signage before you set off. The Apsley Gorge river return should only be attempted in dry conditions with low water levels — the gorge can flash flood after rain, and the rock-hopping sections are hazardous when wet. If in doubt, stick to the graded track and return the way you came. Along the coast, granite platforms near the Bicheno blowhole can be slippery and are exposed to king waves in rough weather, so keep well back from the edge.