Self-drive guides

Self-drive and walking guides to Tasmania’s wild forests

Huon Riveaux, Tasmania

Styx Valley

The secluded Styx Valley is less than two hours drive west of Hobart. Discover ancient rainforests, majestic mountains, the swirling waters of the Styx River, and the tallest hardwood trees in the world, Eucalyptus regnans.

Styx self-drive & walking guide

The Upper Florentine

The Upper Florentine Valley lies 80km west of Hobart (100km by road) in the rugged and wet Western part of the state. It is an intrinsic part of Tasmania’s South-West wilderness—one of the greatest temperate wilderness areas on Earth.

The upper reaches of the Florentine are surrounded by the spectacular mountains of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The valley floor is home to giant trees, rainforest and moorlands as well as outcropping limestone. This limestone is riddled with caves containing ancient Aboriginal heritage as well as the bones of extinct mega-marsupials.

Today, the Upper Florentine is visited by thousands of people on their way to Lake Pedder. From the Gordon River Road, people can walk through a spectacular part of the Upper Florentine en route to well-known peaks and lakes within the World Heritage Area. Lookouts on the road provide impressive views across a landscape of jagged quartzite mountains and thick forests.

Upper Florentine self-drive guide

The Tarkine

Sumac Lookout & Balfour Track
Easy - moderate, 3 hours in total

The Tarkine contains one of the world’s great temperate rainforests and Australia’s largest wilderness rainforest. It is a vast area located between the Arthur and Pieman rivers. Only 5% of the Tarkine is protected as National Park. In May 2005 further formal reserves were declared in the Tarkine . Unfortunately this protection is not as National Park, leaving the area open to mining exploration.

Travel south from Smithton on the C217/C218 for approximately 60 km to Kannunnah Bridge (Arthur River). Turn left onto Sumac Rd, follow for 1.7 km to the lookout. Then retrace your drive back to Kannunnah Bridge (do not recross it) and onto Blackwater Rd (C214).  Follow the C214 for 4.7 km from the bridge to a small car park opposite the start of the Balfour Track walk.

Further walks, including the sensational Philosopher Falls walk near Waratah and Mt Donaldson near Corinna, are available on the free Tarkine self-drive flyer from the Tarkine National Coalition (phone: 0409 543 902).

Click here to view the Tarkine map

Further information: Tarkine National Coalition

Blue Tier

The Big Tree
Moderate, 1.5 hours

Welcome to the mystery of the Blue Tier. A land of glacial refugia where flora has survived for 65 million years! Set your trip meter to 000 at the Weldborough Hotel and drive along the A3 towards Pyengana for 6.7 km and turn left onto Lottah Rd. Follow Lottah Rd for 1.3 km and turn right near the quarry. Follow this dirt road for 1.7 km to the start of the Big Tree Walk.

This fantastic walk will take you through stunning  sassafras and a mystical fern glade. Descending  through huge eucalypts, musk, myrtle, mosses and ferns to the majesty of the Blue Tier Giant. This massive Eucalyptus regnans has a girth measuring a staggering 19.4 metres! The loop walk continues to the beautiful Groom River and the unique ‘cradle’ tree. The trail is a little steep in places.

Click here to view the Blue Tier map

Further information: Friends of the Blue Tier

South Sister

The Summit
Easy, 30 - 60 minutes

Close to St Marys, the Sisters provide views across to Flinders Island, the Northeast Highlands and along the spectacular east coast.

Travel 5.4 km from St Marys on German Town Rd. Turn left onto South Sister Rd. drive approx. 2 km (it’s a  beautiful walk). Enjoy the easy walk to the summit of  South Sister (the final 10 minutes are steep but have steps and rails).

Soak in the 360 degree views from the lookout at 832 metres.

Click here to view the South Sister map

Further info: South Sister

The Weld

Reubens Falls
Easy - moderate, 1.5 hours

Part of the magnificent Southern forests that include the Picton and Huon valleys, the Weld Valley contains giant oldgrowth eucalypts and a diverse range of wild- life that relies on these habitat-providing forests for its survival.

To get to Reubens Falls you will need to first obtain a key from Forestry Tasmania - (03) 6297 0012 - for the Tahune gate on South Weld Rd. Once you have a key, follow the signs to the Tahune Airwalk. Drive past the Airwalk, using the key to open the gate. Drive northwards along the South Weld Rd for approx. 15 km. Here a signposted walk to Reubens Falls will leave the right side of the road.

The Reubens Falls walk will take you through ancient stringybark forests along the beautiful Isabella Creek which flows down into the wild Weld River. Deep into the forest, the walking trail will lead you to your destination— the spectacular and tall Reubens Falls.

A visit to Glovers Bluff (off the South Weld Rd) or nearby Hartz Mountains National Park will provide landscape views of logging in the area. The turn‑offs are well signposted.

Click here to view The Weld map

Further information: Huon Valley Environment Centre  (03) 6264 1286

Getting around

Many of Tasmania’s threatened forests and wilderness areas are in remote locations. Public transport cannot be relied upon to take you to these areas. If you require assistance seeing these wild places please contact the conservation group in the area you wish to visit well in advance to find out if they can help you get there.  If at all possible, bring your own vehicle. 

Extra information

Bring food, water, sunhat, raincoat and stout shoes. Bring toilet paper, as many of these areas have no built toilets.

Warning: These are dirt roads, many kilometres from the nearest township and out of mobile-phone range. Ensure that you have adequate petrol in your  vehicle for the journey you are taking. Always drive at a safe speed and slow down for potholes, corrugations and other hazards. Although suitable for two wheel drive vehicles, many of these roads become slippery when wet, and dusty when dry. Ensure you have a spare tyre and jack. Drive slowly at night and dusk to spare wildlife. Beware of log trucks.

Bushfire warning: Please do not light any campfires or smoke cigarettes while in the forest or other natural areas.

Disclaimer: Visitors should be aware that  natural hazards occur within Tasmania’s forest and other natural environments. The Wilderness Society accepts no liability for any injury or damage resulting from such hazards.