National park · Australia
Southwest National Park
Go only if you accept rain and no facilities: drive the Gordon River Road to Strathgordon and the Gordon Dam in a day from Hobart, walk the short lookouts, and treat the South Coast Track (6–8 days) as a separate expedition booked months ahead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,183 km² (2,387 sq mi)2,387 sq mi (6,183 km²)
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
Oct–Dec
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 6,183 km² (2,387 sq mi)2,387 sq mi (6,183 km²)
- About 10% of Tasmania; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- Oct–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Southwest National Park covers the whole south-west corner of Tasmania, about a tenth of the state, and is the core of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is not a park of gates and boardwalks: there is one sealed road in from Maydena to Strathgordon, two tiny settlements (Strathgordon and Melaleuca, the latter air-only), no fuel, no shops and rainfall over 2,000 mm a year. What you get instead is buttongrass moorland, wet eucalypt forest, glacial lakes, the Gordon Dam and one of the best places in Australia to look for the Southern Lights on a clear winter night.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1982Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1977Declared under the UN Biosphere Program.
Size and age
6,183 km² (2,387 sq mi)2,387 sq mi (6,183 km²) · national park since 1955
About 10% of Tasmania; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- The Gordon River Road runs from farmland into moorland and rainforest with almost no traffic; the dam at the end is the day-trip payoff.
- Lake Pedder and the Eliza Plateau look like southern Canada, not the Australia most visitors picture.
- The South Coast Track is one of the country's classic long walks, 85 km (53 mi) from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek.The South Coast Track is one of the country's classic long walks, 53 mi (85 km) from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek.
- Winter nights here are dark and far from city light: a real chance of the aurora australis.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarmest and driest-ish; still expect rain
- FebGood for the long walks
- MarCooling; fewer walkers
- AprSnow possible on high ground
- MayWet, short days
- JunCold and wet; best aurora nights
- JulSnow on the plateaus; road ice
- AugCold; snow views from Whale Lookout
- SepUnsettled; wildflowers start
- OctLonger days, walkers' season opens
- NovBest mix of light, access and track condition
- DecWarmest; book the South Coast Track early
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange-bellied parrotOct–Mar · Critically endangered; Melaleuca is one of its last breeding sites. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Short-tailed shearwater and other seabirdsSep–Apr · Breeding colonies on the Mutton Bird Islands off Port Davey. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Southern Lights (aurora australis)Apr–Sep · Dark winter skies; you need a clear night and a long-exposure camera. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Snow on the rangesJun–Aug · Visible from Whale Lookout and the Gordon River Road. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Hobart
Drive the A10/B61 via Huonville and Maydena to Strathgordon, then on to the Gordon Dam; no fuel after Maydena.
2.5–3 h
From Maydena
Last town before the park; fuel and a shop, then about 1 h to Strathgordon.
1 h
From Cockle Creek
Drive south from Hobart via Geeveston and the C635 to the end of the road; start of the South Coast Track's northern end.
2.5 h
From Melaleuca
Light aircraft from Hobart airport only; no road access.
1 h flight
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon River Road corridor | The only sealed road in: forest, then moorland, lookouts and the Gordon Dam at Strathgordon. | Open; drive yourself. |
| Lake Pedder and the Eliza Plateau | Glacial lake, campgrounds and a plateau walk above the treeline. | Open; the plateau walk is for fit walkers. |
| Port Davey and Melaleuca | Fjord-like inlet, air-only settlement, orange-bellied parrot country. | By air, boat or long walk only. |
| South coast and Cockle Creek | The South Coast Track and the road end at Cockle Creek. | Open at Cockle Creek; the track needs registration. |
Sketch map
- 1Maydena · Town≈-42.750, 146.617Last fuel before the park.Map ↗
- 2Strathgordon · Town≈-42.767, 146.050Map ↗
- 3Gordon Dam · Viewpoint≈-42.731, 145.976Map ↗
- 4Knob Hill Lookout · Viewpoint≈-42.731, 145.978Map ↗
- 5Huon Campground · Sleep≈-43.038, 146.299Map ↗
- 6Red Knoll Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.038, 146.277Map ↗
- 7Melaleuca · Village≈-43.422, 146.163Air-only.Map ↗
- 8Port Davey · Beach≈-43.330, 145.940Map ↗
- 9Cockle Creek · Village≈-43.582, 146.890Road end and South Coast Track finish.Map ↗
- 10Whale Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.577, 146.900Map ↗
Take the points offline
10 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across a very large park, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per vehicle, day) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee at the park; a Tasmanian parks pass is needed for some other parks and for overnight walking (check current pass rules). |
| Tasmanian parks pass (holiday, per vehicle) | AUD 40–90 (≈ US$30–60) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; buy online or at a visitor centre. Covers other Tasmanian parks, not this one's road access. |
| South Coast Track walker registration | Free | person | Free registration with the parks service before you go (check). |
| Scenic flight Hobart to Melaleuca | AUD 500–900 (≈ US$350–600) | person | 2026 estimate; light aircraft, weather-dependent. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
South Coast Track registration permit or guide
Melaleuca access permit or guide
Camping in the park no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$40–90≈ US$30–60
- A$500–900≈ US$350–600
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Southwest National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Fuel
- No fuel inside the park; fill up at Maydena or Huonville before you go in.
- Fires
- Campfires only in provided fireplaces at campgrounds; total fire bans apply in summer.
- Food storage
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins in the backcountry.
- Drones
- Not allowed in the World Heritage area without a permit (check).check
- Weather
- Tell someone your plan and carry a personal locator beacon for any walk away from the road.
Where to stay
In the park
Lake Pedder Wilderness Lodge, Strathgordon
The only lodge in the park; rooms and meals by the dam road.
In the park
Huon Campground
Sheltered sites near the Scotts Peak Dam side of Lake Pedder; toilets and fireplaces.
In the park
Teds Beach Campground
Toilets and electric barbecues near Strathgordon.
Near the park
Maydena and Huonville
Small-town motels, cabins and pubs outside the park boundary.
Safety
Hypothermia and river crossings high
Remoteness and no phone signal high
Road conditions medium
Weather changes medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Gordon Dam, Knob Hill Lookout and the campgrounds are reached by sealed road with short, mostly level walks.
- The Eliza Plateau and the South Coast Track are rough, muddy and unsuitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the track: buttongrass moorland is fragile and slow to recover.
- Use a fuel stove rather than collecting firewood in the World Heritage area.
- Keep your distance from orange-bellied parrots and seabird colonies; do not land on the Mutton Bird Islands without a permit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Southwest National Park?
There is no entry fee and no gate on the Gordon River Road; you pay only for your own fuel, food and accommodation. A Tasmanian parks pass (2026 estimate A$40–90 per vehicle) is needed for some other Tasmanian parks and for some overnight walks, so check the current rules before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Southwest National Park?
For a day: the short walks at the Gordon Dam and Knob Hill Lookout, or the climb to the Eliza Plateau above Lake Pedder. For a serious walk: the 85 km South Coast Track from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek, 6–8 days, which needs registration and a flight in.
When is the best time to visit Southwest National Park?
November to March for the longest days and the best track conditions, with October and November the sweet spot. Winter (June–August) is for the Gordon River Road day trip, snow views and aurora watching, not for long walks.
Do I need a 4WD to drive to Strathgordon?
No. The Gordon River Road is sealed all the way to the Gordon Dam. You do need to fill up before Maydena, because there is no fuel in the park.
Can I see the Southern Lights here?
Sometimes, on a clear dark night between roughly April and September. There is no viewing platform: you need to be away from light, and a camera with a long exposure helps.
Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?
Yes, but very little: the Lake Pedder Wilderness Lodge at Strathgordon and two campgrounds (Huon and Teds Beach). Maydena and Huonville outside the park have more choice.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Southwest National Park
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — South Coast Track
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Southwest camping
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Tasmanian Wilderness
- secondaryWikivoyage: Southwest National Park, revision 4834054 (CC BY-SA 4.0)