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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.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO World Heritage 1982UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 1977Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

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
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 · 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 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

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarGo
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulCaution
  8. AugCaution
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctBest
  11. NovBest
  12. 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

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Southwest National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Orange-bellied parrotOct–Mar · Critically endangered; Melaleuca is one of its last breeding sites.yesyesyesnonononononoyesyesyes
Short-tailed shearwater and other seabirdsSep–Apr · Breeding colonies on the Mutton Bird Islands off Port Davey.yesyesyesyesnonononoyesyesyesyes
Southern Lights (aurora australis)Apr–Sep · Dark winter skies; you need a clear night and a long-exposure camera.nononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Snow on the rangesJun–Aug · Visible from Whale Lookout and the Gordon River Road.nononononoyesyesyesnononono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

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

Zones of Southwest National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Gordon River Road corridorThe only sealed road in: forest, then moorland, lookouts and the Gordon Dam at Strathgordon.Open; drive yourself.
Lake Pedder and the Eliza PlateauGlacial lake, campgrounds and a plateau walk above the treeline.Open; the plateau walk is for fit walkers.
Port Davey and MelaleucaFjord-like inlet, air-only settlement, orange-bellied parrot country.By air, boat or long walk only.
South coast and Cockle CreekThe South Coast Track and the road end at Cockle Creek.Open at Cockle Creek; the track needs registration.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 10 approximate points in Southwest National Park, north up12345678910
Approximate positions across a very large park, for orientation only.
  1. 1Maydena · Town≈-42.750, 146.617Last fuel before the park.Map ↗
  2. 2Strathgordon · Town≈-42.767, 146.050Map ↗
  3. 3Gordon Dam · Viewpoint≈-42.731, 145.976Map ↗
  4. 4Knob Hill Lookout · Viewpoint≈-42.731, 145.978Map ↗
  5. 5Huon Campground · Sleep≈-43.038, 146.299Map ↗
  6. 6Red Knoll Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.038, 146.277Map ↗
  7. 7Melaleuca · Village≈-43.422, 146.163Air-only.Map ↗
  8. 8Port Davey · Beach≈-43.330, 145.940Map ↗
  9. 9Cockle Creek · Village≈-43.582, 146.890Road end and South Coast Track finish.Map ↗
  10. 10Whale Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.577, 146.900Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsEasyHalf day from StrathgordonGordon Dam and Knob Hill LookoutDrive to the dam wall and the lookout above it; the dam is a short walk from the car park.
TrailsModerate4–6 hEliza PlateauA climb from the Lake Pedder side onto open plateau; navigation and weather matter.
TrailsExpert6–8 daysSouth Coast Track85 km of mud, creeks and beach from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek; self-supported.Booking: Register with the parks service; fly to Melaleuca
Boat tripsEasyFull dayPort Davey by boatCharter boats run from the south coast into the inlet; weather decides the schedule.
ViewpointsEasy30 minWhale Lookout, Cockle CreekShort walk to a bayside lookout with a whale statue; snow on the mountains in winter.
CultureEasyHalf dayMelaleuca and the Deny King museumAir-only settlement; museum on the life of a remote miner and naturalist.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Southwest National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (per vehicle, day)FreevehicleNo 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 40–90vehicle2026 estimate; buy online or at a visitor centre. Covers other Tasmanian parks, not this one's road access.
South Coast Track walker registrationFreepersonFree registration with the parks service before you go (check).
Scenic flight Hobart to MelaleucaAUD 500–900person2026 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

Register with the Tasmanian parks service before starting; the walk is remote and search-and-rescue relies on it (check).

Melaleuca access permit or guide

Fly in with a licensed operator from Hobart, or arrive by boat or on foot; there is no road.

Camping in the park no permit

Campgrounds at Huon and Teds Beach need no booking; backcountry camping is allowed but leave-no-trace rules apply.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
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

Pack for cold rain even in summer; the South Coast Track has creek crossings that rise fast.

Remoteness and no phone signal high

Carry a personal locator beacon, register your walk and leave a plan with someone.

Road conditions medium

Ice, fallen timber and wildlife on the Gordon River Road, especially at dusk; watch for wombats and wallabies.

Weather changes medium

Turn back on plateau walks if cloud closes in; the westerly winds here can be severe.

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.

Related

Tasmania Travel to Australia National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources