Short Bushwalks on Hartz Mountains, Huon Valley (And Where to Camp Nearby)

Hartz Mountains National Park sits at the southern end of the Huon Valley, about 90 minutes from Hobart, and it’s one of the few places in Tasmania where you can drive to the edge of genuine alpine wilderness in an ordinary car. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area — ancient dolerite peaks, glacial lakes and tarns, and a mix of subalpine plants including cushion plants and the Tasmanian waratah. Weather up here turns fast, even in summer, but the walking options range from a five-minute stroll to a proper half-day mountain climb, so there’s something for most fitness levels.

The last stretch of road in from Geeveston is unsealed, so allow extra driving time, and note there’s no camping inside the park itself — plan on basing yourself in the Huon Valley below.

1. Waratah Lookout Walk — Hartz Mountains

The first stop on the drive in and the easiest way to get a taste of the park without leaving the car park for long. A short, well-formed track leads to a viewing platform with sweeping views over the Wellington Range and Huon Valley. Visit from November to January for a chance to see the park’s namesake Tasmanian waratahs in flower.

Distance: 300m return • Time: 5 minutes return • Difficulty: Grade 2, easy • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 20 minutes back down Hartz Road toward Geeveston. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

2. Arve Falls Walk — Hartz Mountains

A little further along Hartz Road, this walk follows the Arve River through alpine herbfield and snow gum woodland to a small but scenic waterfall lookout. It’s flat, well-graded and quick, making it a good stretch-the-legs stop on the way to or from the Day Visitor Centre.

Distance: 1km return • Time: 20 minutes return • Difficulty: Grade 2, easy • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 20 minutes’ drive. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

3. Lake Osborne Walk — Hartz Mountains

Starting near the Day Visitor Centre car park, this gentle uphill walk moves through rainforest and stands of ancient King Billy pine before opening onto a boardwalk with views of the lake sitting in the lap of the surrounding hills. A good pick if you only have time for one longer walk and want a genuine glacial lake at the end of it.

Distance: 2km return • Time: 45 minutes return • Difficulty: Grade 2, easy • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 25 minutes’ drive from the Day Visitor Centre. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

4. Lake Esperance Walk  — Hartz Mountains

Also starting from the Day Visitor Centre, this walk shares its first stretch with the Hartz Pass and Hartz Peak tracks before branching off to a second glacial lake. The path climbs gently through alpine bushland and rocky steps into subalpine moorland, with views of Hartz Peak on a clear day. Keen walkers can extend another 25 minutes each way to Ladies Tarn.

Distance: 3.4km return • Time: 1.5–2 hours return • Difficulty: Grade 3, moderate • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 25 minutes’ drive. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

5. Hartz Pass Walk — Hartz Mountains

A steeper climb than the lake walks, following the same track as Hartz Peak before turning off to the pass itself. It’s a solid uphill push, but the payoff is a wide view straight into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area — a good option for walkers who want the mountain views without pushing all the way to the summit.

Distance: 6km return • Time: 3.5 hours return • Difficulty: Grade 3, steep sections • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 25 minutes’ drive from the Day Visitor Centre. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

6. Hartz Peak Walk— Hartz Mountains

The big one, and one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The track climbs steadily through glacially carved terrain to the 1,255m summit, with views stretching south toward the state’s remote southwest wilderness on a clear day. Sturdy footwear, warm layers and a weather check are essential — conditions on the exposed summit ridge can turn quickly, and this is a serious half-day outing rather than a casual stroll.

Distance: 7.4km return • Time: 3–5 hours return • Difficulty: Grade 4, hard, 400m elevation gain • Dogs: Not permitted

Nearest campground: Arve River Camping and Picnic Area, about 25 minutes’ drive from the Day Visitor Centre. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/arve-river-camping/

Planning Your Trip

Hartz Mountains is a fee-paying national park, so you’ll need a valid Tasmanian Parks Pass before you arrive — there’s no pass sales point at the park itself, so buy online or at a visitor centre on the way through Huonville or Geeveston. Dogs are not permitted on any of the walks in this list, and there are no camping facilities within the park boundary at all, so the Arve River Camping and Picnic Area near Geeveston is the best base if you’re pitching a tent. On the safety side, this is genuine alpine country: snow, hail and freezing wind are possible on the plateau in any month, even when it’s mild down in the Huon Valley, so carry warm layers and a waterproof shell regardless of season, and register at the walkers’ book near the main car park before setting out on Lake Esperance, Hartz Pass or Hartz Peak. The final 10.5km of Hartz Road is unsealed and can close in snow, so check road conditions before you head up.