National park · Australia

Hartz Mountains National Park

Give it a half day from Hobart: drive 1 h 15 min to the Hartz Road shelter, walk Lake Osborne (45 min return) or Lake Esperance, and turn back at the first snow or 60 km/h (37 mph) wind — the last 14 km (8.7 mi) of Arve Road is gravel and closes in snow.Give it a half day from Hobart: drive 1 h 15 min to the Hartz Road shelter, walk Lake Osborne (45 min return) or Lake Esperance, and turn back at the first snow or 37 mph (60 km/h) wind — the last 8.7 mi (14 km) of Arve Road is gravel and closes in snow.

Not field-verified

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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

72 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (72 km²)

approximate

Established

1951

Best months

Nov–Feb

UNESCO

None

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: 72 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (72 km²); Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).
Established: 1951
Best months: Nov–Feb
Permits: For some areas

Hartz Mountains National Park is the alpine corner of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, an hour and a quarter from Hobart: dolerite ridges, two glacial lakes, a waterfall and a 1,255 m summit, all reached from one gravel car park at the end of Arve Road. It is small, free to enter and has no ranger on site, so the day is decided by weather and road conditions rather than by tickets or queues. Come for a short boardwalk morning at Lake Osborne or Lake Esperance, or commit to the Hartz Peak climb when the forecast is settled; turn back when snow, ice or wind arrives, because the last 14 km of Arve Road is unsealed and can close.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1951.

Size and age

72 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (72 km²) · national park since 1951

Park boundary figures vary by source; treat the area as approximate (check).

Why go

Alpine and glacial country 1 h 15 min from Hobart, with a dolerite peak, two glacial lakes and a waterfall all on short tracks from one car park.
Lake Osborne and Lake Esperance are among the easiest glacial lakes to reach in Tasmania, both on or beside boardwalk.
The Hartz Peak track climbs 400 m to 1,255 m for the widest view in the Huon and Far South.
Winter snow, summer wildflowers and the December–January Tasmanian waratah bloom at Waratah Lookout.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanBest
FebBest
MarGo
AprGo
MayCaution
JunCaution
JulAvoid
AugAvoid
SepCaution
OctGo
NovBest
DecBest

JanDriest month; mild, long daylight
FebMild and settled
MarCooling; clearer than summer cloud
AprCrisp; first snow possible
MayWet, cold; boardwalk greasy
JunRain builds; snow on the road
JulColdest; snow and ice, road may close
AugWettest month; snow and ice
SepStill wet; snow patches
OctRain easing; snow melt
NovWildflowers; good walking
DecWaratah bloom; mild

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Hartz Mountains National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Bennett's wallabies and Tasmanian pademelonsAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk; drive slowly on Arve Road at those hours.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Echidnas and platypusOct–Mar · Look near water and along quiet edges of the tracks; both are hard to spot.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes
Green rosella, eastern spinebill and honeyeatersSep–Feb · Spring and summer in the flowering forest and heath.	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
Tasmanian waratah in flowerDec–Jan · Best around Waratah Lookout.	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes

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

A6 Huon Highway through Kingston to Geeveston, then C632 Arve Road to the end; the last 14 km (8.7 mi) is unsealed.A6 Huon Highway through Kingston to Geeveston, then C632 Arve Road to the end; the last 8.7 mi (14 km) is unsealed.

1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min

Open the page →

From Geeveston

C632 Arve Road from the town centre to the park entrance.

30–40 min

From Huonville

A6 south to Geeveston, then Arve Road.

50–60 min

Zones and sectors

Zones of Hartz Mountains National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Hartz Road day-use area	Car park, shelter, toilets, logbook and the start of every track.	Open; no fee, no ranger on site.
Lake Osborne and Waratah Lookout side	The lower, gentler western tracks through sub-alpine forest.	Open on foot.
Lake Esperance and Hartz Pass	Boardwalk and rock across the plateau toward the peak.	Open on foot; snow and ice in winter.
Hartz Peak and the summit ridge	The 1,255 m dolerite summit and the alpine zone above the lakes.	Open on foot; exposed, no shelter.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along Hartz Road and the tracks, for orientation only.

1Park entrance (C632) · Gate≈-43.188, 146.787Map ↗
2Hartz Road day-use shelter · Headquarters≈-43.217, 146.771Logbook, toilets and trackhead.Map ↗
3Arve Falls · Trail≈-43.210, 146.773Map ↗
4Waratah Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.196, 146.767Map ↗
5Lake Osborne · Trail≈-43.216, 146.759Map ↗
6Lake Esperance · Trail≈-43.228, 146.769Map ↗
7Hartz Peak · Summit≈-43.245, 146.768Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

7 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 along Hartz Road and the tracks, for orientation only.

See & do

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

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsEasy45 min returnLake Osborne walk2 km (1.2 mi) with gentle ups and downs on a rocky surface, no boardwalk; the most family-friendly track in the park.

TrailsEasy1–1.5 h returnLake Esperance boardwalkA short diversion off the Hartz Pass track to a glacial lake ringed by boardwalk; snow can bury the boards in winter.

TrailsEasy20–30 min returnArve FallsAbout 1 km (0.6 mi) from Hartz Road to a waterfall in wet forest; the shortest stop in the park.

ViewpointsEasy30 min returnWaratah LookoutA short climb to a view over the Huon Valley forest; Tasmanian waratah flowers red in December and January.

TrailsModerate3.5 h returnHartz Pass6 km (3.7 mi) return over boardwalk, rock and bare ground through the glacial and alpine landscape; the boardwalk is very slippery in winter.

TrailsHard3–5 h returnHartz Peak7.4 km (4.6 mi) return with 400 m of climbing to the 1,255 m summit; the top section is rough rock and exposed to wind.

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

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Hartz Mountains National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	person	No entry fee for Tasmanian national parks; you pay for a parks pass only if you are driving into parks that require one (check).
Tasmanian parks pass (holiday, per vehicle)	AUD 40–90 (≈ US$30–60)	vehicle	2026 estimate; passes are sold per vehicle and per person, and Hartz itself has no booth (check).
Fuel, Hobart return	AUD 25–40 (≈ US$17–30)	vehicle	2026 estimate; about 150 km return.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No ticket booth and no gate fee at Hartz Road; drive in and park at the day-use shelter.

Walk logbook permit or guide

Fill in the logbook at the day-use shelter before setting off on any track, and sign out on return.

Winter road access no permit

No permit, but the last 14 km (8.7 mi) of Arve Road is gravel and can be closed by snow; carry chains in winter (check).

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

Nights or days

Tasmanian parks pass (holiday, per vehicle)per vehicleA$40–90≈ US$30–60
Fuel, Hobart returnper vehicleA$25–40≈ US$17–30

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 — Hartz Mountains National Park before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Camping: No camping anywhere in the park; there are no campgrounds and no huts.
Fires: No campfires or stoves with open flame; the vegetation is slow-growing and dry in summer.
Logbook: Sign in and out at the day-use shelter before and after every walk.
Dogs and drones: No dogs and no drones in a Tasmanian national park (check).
Stay on track: Keep to the marked tracks and boardwalk; the alpine plants and cushion plants do not recover from trampling.

Where to stay

Near the park

Geeveston

Closest town, 30–40 min from the gate; a small choice of motels, B&Bs and pub rooms.

Near the park

Huonville

About 50–60 min out; more shops, motels and farm stays.

Near the park

Hobart

1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min each way; the widest choice of hotels and hostels.

Safety

Snow and ice on Arve Road high

In winter carry chains and be ready to turn around; the last 14 km (8.7 mi) is gravel and the road can be closed. Even 4WDs struggle without chains.

Cold and wind on the plateau high

Take a waterproof shell, warm layers, hat and gloves year-round; the summit is exposed and the temperature drops fast with wind.

Slippery boardwalk medium

Expect wet, icy or snow-covered boards between May and September; grip matters more than speed.

No rangers on site medium

There is no ranger station in the park; sign the logbook, carry a map and do not rely on phone signal.

Wildlife on the road medium

Avoid driving Arve Road at night; if you must, drive slowly and watch the verges.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

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 day-use shelter, toilets and the start of the tracks are reached by car with no steps.
Lake Osborne and Arve Falls are the gentlest walks, but both have rocky, uneven surfaces and no boardwalk.
Lake Esperance and Hartz Peak involve steep, rough and often wet ground; not suitable for limited mobility or wheels.

Visiting lightly

Stay on the boardwalk and rock; alpine and cushion plants here take decades to regrow.
Carry out everything you bring in — there are no bins beyond the day-use area.
Fill the logbook so search teams know where to look if you are overdue.
Drive one vehicle per group where you can; the road is narrow gravel for the last 14 km (8.7 mi).Drive one vehicle per group where you can; the road is narrow gravel for the last 8.7 mi (14 km).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Hartz Mountains National Park?

There is no entry fee and no ticket booth at Hartz Road — you drive in and park at the day-use shelter. Tasmanian national parks are free to enter; you only buy a parks pass if you plan to drive into parks that charge for vehicles, and passes are sold per vehicle or per person (check current prices before you go).

What are the best hikes in Hartz Mountains National Park?

For most people: the Lake Osborne walk (2 km, 45 min return) or the Lake Esperance boardwalk (short diversion off the Hartz Pass track). Arve Falls is a 20–30 minute return stop near the road. If you want a full walk, Hartz Pass is 6 km return and about 3.5 hours, and Hartz Peak is 7.4 km return with 400 m of climbing and 3–5 hours.

When is the best time to visit Hartz Mountains National Park?

November to February for the mildest weather, longest daylight and the waratah bloom in December–January. January is the driest month. July and August are the coldest and wettest, with snow and ice on the road and tracks; if you come then, carry chains and expect the last 14 km of Arve Road to be difficult.

Can I camp in Hartz Mountains National Park?

No. There is no camping and no accommodation inside the park, and campfires are not permitted. Sleep in Geeveston, Huonville or Hobart and drive in for the day.

Do I need a 4WD to reach the park?

No, but the last 14 km of Arve Road (C632) is unsealed gravel and can be closed by snow. In winter, chains are the thing that keeps you moving — even 4WDs can be stopped without them.

How far is Hartz Mountains National Park from Hobart?

About 1 h 15 min–1 h 30 min by car: A6 Huon Highway through Kingston to Geeveston, then C632 Arve Road to the end. It is roughly 30–40 minutes from Geeveston and 50–60 minutes from Huonville.

Deep dive

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

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