Blizzard conditions can occur with little warning, at any time of year, so walkers should be prepared for sudden and severe weather changes.
Lake Osborne is a short and rewarding walk in Hartz Mountains National Park in Tasmania, offering an easy introduction to the area’s alpine and subalpine landscapes. The 2 km return track is graded as easy and usually takes around 45 minutes, making it suitable for most ages and fitness levels. The surface is generally firm and well formed, with gentle inclines and a few steps along the way.
The walk begins at the main car park and climbs gradually through a cool rainforest filled with myrtle, sassafras and pandani. This shaded section feels calm and enclosed, and it does not take long before the forest begins to open out as you cross the Hartz Plateau. Along the track, interpretive signs point out key plant species and explain some of the natural features of the area, adding context to what you are seeing as you go.
Beyond the forest edge, the scenery changes again as woodland gives way to open moorland. On a clear day, the rugged Devil’s Backbone ridge can be seen in the distance, providing a dramatic backdrop to the walk. The track then leads gently down to Lake Osborne, a small glacial lake fringed by ancient King Billy pines that give the area a quiet, timeless feel.
A seat beside the lake invites you to pause and take it all in, whether that means enjoying the reflections on the water, watching the weather roll across the plateau, or simply having a rest before heading back. The return journey follows the same route, making this an accessible and enjoyable walk that offers a rich snapshot of the Hartz Mountains without demanding too much time or effort.
Grade 2 (Easy) -Â
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.
- Suitable for most ages, with a well formed, hardened track surface. Expect gentle inclines along the way, with a small number of steps in places.
- Raised boardwalk sections can become very slippery in icy or snowy conditions. Take extra care during cold weather and closely supervise children.
- A valid Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service parks pass is required to enter Tasmania’s national parks.
Total distance: 2099 m
Max elevation: 928 m
Min elevation: 861 m
Total climbing: 89 m
Total descent: -89 m
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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.
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 to the trailhead: Hartz Mountains National Park.
Hartz Mountains National Park is about 1.5 hours south west of Hobart, travelling via Geeveston on the A6. From Geeveston, turn right onto Arve Road (C632) and follow it for approximately 13 kilometres to the clearly signposted turn-off into the park. The final 10.5 kilometres to the trailhead is on an unsealed road.
Road conditions can change quickly, particularly in winter, so it is important to check conditions before you travel. Snow can close the road, and unless your vehicle is fitted with snow chains, you should not continue if snow is present. Getting stuck in alpine conditions can be extremely dangerous, with a real risk of hypothermia, and there are no rangers based in the park to provide immediate assistance.
Where possible, avoid driving through the park at night. These roads pass through important wildlife habitat, and animals are often active after dark. Take your time, drive cautiously, and be prepared to slow down if wildlife is on or near the road.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Hartz Mountains National Park rises above the southern Huon Valley and features a rugged mix of mountains, lakes and waterfalls shaped by ancient glaciers. From the higher ridges, layered peaks roll away towards Tasmania’s southern coast, creating a strong sense of scale and isolation. The park lies near Geeveston in southern Tasmania, about 55 kilometres south-west of Hobart, making it a straightforward day trip from the capital.
Glacial ice once covered the dolerite backbone of the range, leaving behind cirques, small lakes and steep escarpments where waterfalls now cascade. These landforms give the park its character across the seasons, with winter snow and ice giving way to alpine plants and spring wildflowers, including the striking Tasmanian waratah.
A wide range of walks makes the park popular with walkers of all abilities. Well-formed tracks pass through forest before climbing into subalpine and alpine terrain. Short bushwalks to Waratah Lookout, Arve Falls and Lake Osborne take less than an hour return and still deliver impressive scenery. Longer hikes to Lake Esperance and Hartz Peak, both part of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, take two to five hours return and reward prepared walkers with broad mountain views.
Wildlife is common, with echidnas, platypus, wallabies and pademelons often seen, along with frogs and birds such as honeyeaters, eastern spinebills and green rosellas. Facilities include picnic shelters, water and accessible toilets near Waratah Lookout and at the Hartz visitor shelter. A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks.
Looking for more walks in or near Hartz Mountains National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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