Cathedral Rock Track (8.5km), Wellington Park, Tasmania

Cathedral Rock Track is a 8.5km, grade 4 hike located in the Wellington Park, Tasmania. The hike should take around 4 hrs to complete.

Length: 8.5km

Duration: 4 hrs

Grade: 4

Style: Return

Start: Cathedral Rock Car Park

End: Cathedral Rock Car Park

Location: Wellington Park

Closest town: Leslie Vale

Tasmania

From state capital: 27km

Longitude: 147.205966

Latitude: -42.952555

Hike summary

This challenging walk meanders through wet forest beside the boulder-strewn North West Bay River. The track then heads away from the river up a steep, zig-zagging, heart-testing climb to the towering dolerite columns of Cathedral Rock. The reward for your effort includes breathtaking views across southern Tasmania. This is the only walk in Kingborough that takes you to such giddy heights.

Super fun, very challenging hike. First section journeys alongside the riverbed and is very pleasant. Track then veers off and the incline quickly increases until you are huffing and puffing your way straight up the hill. The last section to summit the rock is very steep.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 8249 m
Max elevation: 797 m
Min elevation: 278 m
Total climbing: 674 m
Total descent: -674 m

Download file: Cathedral Rock Track.gpx

Tips

This walk climbs into the sub-alpine area to an altitude of 880m.
Take a raincoat and warm clothes for protection, as the summit is quite exposed.
Keep away from cliff edges and closely supervise children.
Take care when walking on the large riverbed pebbles.
If you want to keep a steady pace, you're going to sweat it out!
Taking off you jacket ready to put it back on at the top is a good idea.
Narrow bush track, multiple steep climbs.
Limited parking at start of track.

Contributed by Tim Slingsby

Gear you might need

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Location

Getting there

From Hobart head south on the A6, turn right on to Leslie Road and then make a hairpin turn onto Betts Road. Betts Road is a small road in which you need to park immediately after the river otherwise you start driving onto private property.

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Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

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