Hike at a Glance

Australia > Tasmania > Southwest National Park

Quick overview: Discover the idyllic Duckhole Lake on this tranquil 4.4km return hike nestled in Southwest National Park, Tasmania. Suitable for all levels with a Grade 2 difficulty rating, this trail predominantly follows a boardwalk through regenerated forest, echoing with birdsong and frog calls. The remnants of a historic 19th-century sawmill tramway add to the charm. This easy bushwalk is perfect for a serene picnic by the peaceful, flooded sinkhole lake, part of the wider regional cave system including Hastings Caves.

Length:

4.4km

Duration:

1.5 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Return

Max elevation: 159m

Min elevation: 124m

Total Ascent: 74m

Start: Coal Hill Road

End: Coal Hill Road

Southwest National Park

Tasmania

Nearby town: Southport

From state capital: 110km

Latitude: -43.37318237

Longitude: 146.89198136329654

10 Reviews

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Hike overview

The feature of this short and easy there-and-back walk is the idyllic Duckhole Lake. The 4.2km track, most of which is boardwalk, follows a stream through regrowth forest to the lake.

Lying within the Southwest National Park the delightfully tranquil lake is actually a flooded sinkhole. It is part of the extensive regional cave and karst system that includes Hastings Caves. The lake is a peaceful place to sit and listen to the birds and frogs while you have a picnic.

The track follows a late 19th century sawmill tramway for much of the way, and remnants of the tramway can be seen.

This walk is co-managed by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

Highlights

This walk makes an enjoyable addition to a visit to the Hastings Caves or a drive along Forestry Tasmania's Arve River Forest Drive.

The walk takes you through a forest of stringybarks and rainforest species such as sassafras and myrtle, and sections of tea tree swamp. The track follows a late 19th century sawmill tramway for much of the way, and remnants of the tramway can be seen.

For more information about this hiking trail please visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania

Track grade

Grade 2 (Easy) - A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.

Practical information

Park entry fees apply.

Picnic table at lake. Toilets, cafe, picnic and barbecue facilities and thermal swimming pool are located at Hastings Caves State Reserve approximately 7.5km from Duckhole Lake car park.

Level track suitable for all age groups.

Supervise children, water in creeks and lakes.

No pets, firearms or bicycles.

Trail features

Walk map and GPX file
Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

Total distance: 4397 m
Max elevation: 159 m
Min elevation: 124 m
Total climbing: 74 m
Total descent: -74 m

GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.

Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Southwest National Park.

Duckhole Lake is located south of Dover. From here, continue south on the Huon Highway (A6) for 7.5km to the township of Strathblane. Once you reach the Esperance River bridge continue for a further 2.9km, then turn right at the intersection on the Darcy Link. Keep left via Creekton Road for a total of 8km until you reach the carpark opposite the track head.

An alternative access is via the Hastings Caves Road and Chestermans Road. This route is only accessible with a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle. It is narrow with steep side slopes and can be slippery at times.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Cygnet, Derwent Bridge, Dover, Franklin, Geeveston, Gordon, Gordon River, Huonville, Kingston, Lake Pedder, Macquarie Harbour, Maydena, Queenstown, Strathgordon, Tullah

About the region

Tasmania's largest expanse of wilderness is in Southwest National Park a remote and rugged landscape in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Home to majestic Huon pine, sassafras, celery top and myrtle, the region is awash with the distinctive fragrances of the Tasmanian forest.

The Gordon River Road is a narrow ribbon through the largely untracked region of forests, imposing mountain ranges and buttongrass plains, providing access to the vast expanses of Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon.

In Southwest National Park, you'll find one of Tasmania's most challenging wilderness walks, the multi-day South Coast Track. There are also endless shorter walks to take you up and over mountains and out to the coast. For a real ends-of-the-Earth' experience, travel to Australia's southernmost point accessible by road, Cockle Creek, where a day walk to South Cape Bay allows walkers to immerse themselves in the raw power of this wilderness landscape.

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Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Duckhole lake walk (4. 4km) trail hiking australia

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.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Highlights

Track grade

Practical information

Trail features

Walk map and GPX file
Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Lake Osborne Hike (2km)

Arve Falls Walk (1km)

Kettering Point Track Walk (2.5km)

Margate Rivulet Track (4km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

Duckhole Lake Walk (4.4km)

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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