Kelly Basin is a 11.5km, grade 3 hike located in the Macquarie Harbour Historic Site, Tasmania. The hike should take around 4 hrs to complete.

Length: 11.5km

Duration: 4 hrs

Grade: 3

Style: Return

Start: End of Kelly Basin Road

End: End of Kelly Basin Road

Location: Macquarie Harbour Historic Site

Closest town: Queenstown

Tasmania

From state capital: 303km

Longitude: 145.5914

Latitude: -42.343074

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Hike overview

Walk with history down the route of the former railway line to Kelly Basin. Where once 1000 people lived, today only historic remnants of the former town of Pillinger can be seen amidst lush green mosses and tree ferns.

Highlights

Standing in East Pillinger in the very early 1900s you would have been in the midst of a bustling port town. Railway carriages loaded with timber, bricks and ore would be shunting past, the sound of shouted instructions ringing out and the smell of wood-smoke hanging thickly in the air.

Today, most of the town has been reclaimed by the forest. There are however some substantial and fascinating relics awaiting your discovery. A full history of Pillinger is available on our web site.

This area is part of the Macquarie Harbour Historic Site and within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 11411 m
Max elevation: 110 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 240 m
Total descent: -240 m

Download file: Kelly%20Basin.gpx

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

Trail features

Tips

Picnic tables near the start of the track. No toilets. Full facilities in Queenstown and Strahan.

Some sections are wet and muddy underfoot.

Supervise children, weather may change quickly.

Pets, firearms or bicycles are not allowed.

Trail location

Getting there

Final 5km of access road is four-wheel-drive only. In Queenstown, turn left at the Empire Hotel and then first right into Conlan Street. Continue along Conlan Street which will lead you out of Queenstown and onto the Mount Jukes Road. Continue on this road for about 30 minutes until the right hand turn to the Bird River walking track.

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Gallery

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About the region

The Western Wilderness

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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.