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 wind — the last 14 km 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 60 km/h wind — the last 8.7 mi of Arve Road is gravel and closes in snow.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
72 km²28 sq mi
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 km²28 sq mi
- 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 km²28 sq mi · 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
- 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
| 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
How to get there
From Hobart
A6 Huon Highway through Kingston to Geeveston, then C632 Arve Road to the end; the last 14 km is unsealed.A6 Huon Highway through Kingston to Geeveston, then C632 Arve Road to the end; the last 8.7 mi 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
| 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
- 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 ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| 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 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; passes are sold per vehicle and per person, and Hartz itself has no booth (check). |
| Fuel, Hobart return | AUD 25–40 | 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
Walk logbook permit or guide
Winter road access no permit
Park rules
- 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
Cold and wind on the plateau high
Slippery boardwalk medium
No rangers on site medium
Wildlife on the road medium
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.Drive one vehicle per group where you can; the road is narrow gravel for the last 8.7 mi.
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
Sources
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Hartz Mountains National Park
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Hartz Peak track
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Lake Osborne track
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Tasmanian Wilderness
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hartz Mountains National Park, revision 5220611 (CC BY-SA 4.0)