Hike at a glance

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Quick overview: Journey through the heart of Tasmania's Dial Range Reserves on the 8km Mount Duncan Track. Starting and ending at the Mount Gnomon Carpark, this moderate Grade 3 trail offers a rewarding day out for experienced walkers, just a short drive from the nearby town of Penguin. Be enchanted by the scent of eucalypts, the murmur of the bush, and the varied terrain that leads to the highest peak in the range. Enjoy views that stretch across other peaks and towards the north-west coast, making every step worth the 4-hour return trip.

Hike length

8km

Average duration

4 hrs

Trail Difficulty

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Hike Type

Return

Technical details

Max elevation: 658m
Min elevation: 152m
Total Ascent: 927m

Start: Mount Gnomon Carpark

End: Mount Gnomon Carpark

Location: Dial Range Reserves

State: Tasmania

Nearest town: Penguin

State capital distance: 295km

Latitude: -41.17741038457617

Longitude: 146.02784870160227

Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.

Hike details

Difficulty

Planning

Safety

Getting there

The region

Nearby hikes

Weather

Trail details

Walkers should always be well prepared before setting out in Tasmania’s parks. Check the conditions, carry suitable equipment, let someone know your plans, and be ready to adjust them if the weather changes.

Hike summary

The Mount Duncan Track offers a rewarding day walk through the heart of the Dial Range Reserves in northwest Tasmania. Stretching for about 8 kilometres return, this Grade 3 trail typically takes around four hours to complete and is well-suited to walkers with some bushwalking experience. Beginning at the Mount Gnomon carpark, the track gradually winds its way uphill toward the highest peak in the range, surrounded by a beautiful mix of forest and ferns.

The walk begins by following Dial Road for roughly 500 metres until it meets the Tall Trees Track. This linking route sets the tone for the experience ahead, drawing you into a landscape rich with the scent of eucalypts and the soft murmur of the bush. You’ll soon find yourself beneath towering trees, descending gently through a shaded understorey of lush tree ferns before tracing the path of Dial Creek. The cool, damp air of this section contrasts with the drier slopes above, revealing how the vegetation shifts with changes in elevation and light.

As you climb higher, the forest opens up and glimpses of the surrounding peaks and coastline begin to appear through the canopy. The Tall Trees Track continues to a signed junction where you can choose to return the way you came or continue along the route to the summit of Mount Duncan. From this point, the track steepens slightly, gaining about 300 metres of elevation from the carpark to the top, but the effort is well rewarded.

At the summit, you’ll stand on the highest point of the Dial Range, surrounded by views that stretch across to other nearby peaks and out toward the north-west coast. On a clear day, the landscape unfolds in every direction, while on misty days, clouds drift across the ridgelines and weave through the trees, giving the mountain a quiet, otherworldly feel.

The return journey retraces your steps, offering a chance to notice details you might have missed on the way up, the changing textures of bark, the calls of birds hidden in the canopy, and the gentle trickle of the creek below. For those looking to extend their adventure, the Mount Duncan walk can easily be combined with the Mount Gnomon Lookout Track, which starts from the same carpark, providing another perspective on this diverse and scenic reserve.

Additional Information:

For more information, visit Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Track difficulty

Grade 3 (moderate) badge

Grade 3 (Moderate)

Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.

While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.

Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.

Planning essentials

Practical Information:

Dogs, horses, mountain bikes, and motorbikes are not permitted on the track.
There are no toilet facilities along the route. The nearest public toilets are located about six minutes away at the Ferndene Gorge State Reserve picnic area.

Map and GPX file

Mount Duncan Track (8km)

Total distance: 9347 m
Max elevation: 658 m
Min elevation: 152 m
Total climbing: 927 m
Total descent: -928 m

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

Safety and preparation

Planning this hike?

Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Interactive Safety Scenarios. Then refer to the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Let someone know

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, and it only takes two minutes..

Let someone know your plans →

Planning something more serious? The comprehensive trip intentions form is designed for remote, overnight, and off-track trips where your emergency contact needs more detail. Register your advanced plans here →

Free 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

Dial Range Reserves

The Mount Duncan walking track begins from the Mount Gnomon carpark, about a 25-minute drive from Ulverstone, roughly 20 kilometres away. To get there, head west towards Burnie along the A1 Bass Highway and take the South Road exit towards Penguin. From there, turn onto Sports Complex Avenue, then left onto Ironcliffe Road, and continue for approximately 8.6 kilometres. The final 1.7 kilometres of the road are unsealed but generally suitable for most vehicles. Parking is available at the trailhead, located at the junction of Ironcliffe Road and Dial Road. When travelling through these reserves, try to avoid driving at night, as native wildlife is often active on the roads. Take it slow and keep an eye out for animals to ensure a safe journey.

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

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.

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Or browse accommodation in nearby towns: Burnie, Devonport, Latrobe, Penguin, Riana, Sheffield, Somerset, Ulverstone, Wynyard

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About the region

Dial Range Reserves

Tucked away in northwest Tasmania, just south of the coastal town of Penguin, the Dial Range Reserves span a rugged 52 square kilometres of diverse terrain. This striking landscape tells a geological story of ancient volcanic activity and sedimentary processes later reshaped by early mining efforts. The result is a dramatic mix of peaks and valleys, with Mount Gnomon standing out on the northern skyline. Walkers can explore a wide variety of trails that wind through forests, over ridgelines, and across rocky slopes, revealing ever-changing views and vegetation shaped by altitude, aspect, and soil type.

The range offers something for everyone, from gentle forest walks to steep climbs that lead to panoramic coastal and inland views. Trails transition through dry eucalypt forests, damp gullies filled with swamp gums and blackwoods, and heathlands that come alive with colour in spring. Popular peaks such as Mount Dial, Mount Montgomery, and Mount Duncan provide unique vantage points, while shared paths also cater to trail runners and mountain bikers. Whether you’re after a short stroll or a challenging full-day hike, the Dial Range Reserves promise a rewarding experience rich in natural beauty and variety.

Mount Dial Nature Recreation Area

Nestled within the Dial Range of northwest Tasmania, around six kilometres south of the coastal town of Penguin, the Mount Dial Nature Recreation Area is a gateway to some of the region’s most scenic forested walks. Managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania, it sits among neighbouring reserves such as Mount Montgomery and Ferndene, forming a connected network of protected landscapes that highlight the diversity of Tasmania’s natural environment. The range stretches for about 14 kilometres, featuring a series of distinctive peaks including Mount Gnomon, Mount Duncan, Mount Riana, and Mount Lorymer. Mount Dial itself lies near the centre, offering a convenient starting point for exploring the surrounding trails, which vary from gentle forest walks to more challenging climbs that reveal sweeping coastal and inland views.

The landscape here tells a story of ancient volcanic forces and human history. The mountain slopes are shaped by layers of conglomerate, dolerite, sandstone, and volcanic rock, with remnants of early mining visible in places such as Ferndene State Reserve. Vegetation shifts with the terrain, ranging from dense wet eucalypt forest to open grassland and heath, supporting an abundance of wildlife and several threatened plant communities, including Eucalyptus amygdalina forest and woodland on sandstone. Whether you’re seeking a short stroll beneath tall eucalypts, a day-long bushwalk through rugged country, or a connected hike linking multiple peaks, the Mount Dial Nature Recreation Area offers a rich and varied experience for walkers of all levels.

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Weather on the trail

Dial Range Reserves

The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Mount duncan track (8km) 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.