Panoramic ridgelines above Tasmania’s north-west coast

Overview

Mount Montgomery State Reserve sits in the Dial Range south of Penguin on Tasmania’s central north-west coast, a little under 30 kilometres west of Devonport. The reserve protects one of the best-known high points in this chain of forested hills, where the country rises quickly from the coast into a compact band of ridges and summits.

Even though it is close to settled farmland and the coast, the landscape feels distinctly elevated and enclosed by bush. Mount Montgomery reaches 471 metres, and the reserve forms part of a broader group of protected areas in the Dial Range that are valued for both recreation and their mix of natural and cultural features.

Highlights

The defining feature here is the way the Dial Range lifts out of the surrounding lowlands. Mount Montgomery is known for its wide outlooks, with the summit and upper slopes opening to sweeping views across the north-west coast. The range itself is a strong visual landmark around Penguin, made up of multiple peaks and ridges rather than a single isolated hill.

Another part of the appeal is the changing character of the terrain as you move higher. Lower slopes give way to more elevated forest and rockier ground near the top, so the reserve has that satisfying sense of moving from coastal foothill country into a more exposed ridgeline setting.

Best Time to Visit

Conditions are often most pleasant in the milder months of spring and autumn, when the north-west coast usually brings cooler walking weather and clearer air for long views. Summer can also be rewarding, particularly on calmer days when the coast and inland ranges are at their clearest.

At any time of year, this is a place where the experience is shaped by weather. Cloud, wind and passing fronts can change the feel of the mountain quickly, which is part of what gives the reserve its strong coastal Tasmanian character.

Plants and Animals

One of the interesting things about Mount Montgomery is the way vegetation changes with elevation. As the slopes climb, the forest shifts through different plant communities, reflecting the range’s varied terrain and exposure.

The wider Dial Range is noted for its variety of landscape, vegetation communities and fauna. Nearby official track information for this part of the range also points to tree hollows that provide habitat for birds and small mammals, which helps picture the sort of animal life these forests support.