Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 26m
Min elevation: 8m
Total Ascent: 108m
Safety advice
Always supervise children, as the beaches are unpatrolled and the track has unprotected edges.
Hike overview
Flinders Island is a place of striking natural beauty, where rugged landscapes meet pristine beaches and the sense of isolation only adds to its charm. Whether you have a weekend or a full week to explore, it’s well worth taking the time to experience its walks, wildlife, and coastal scenery. Among its many highlights is the Trousers Point walk, a route within Strzelecki National Park that offers a mix of dramatic rock formations, sweeping ocean views, and two spectacular beaches.
Trousers Point Beach is one of the island’s most photographed locations, and for good reason. Its dazzling blue waters, soft white sand, and the towering granite peaks of Strzelecki National Park make it an unforgettable sight. The 5 km circuit walk, which typically takes around two hours, starts from this beach and follows a well-formed coastal track. The trail offers ever-changing views across the Bass Strait islands before leading to Fotheringate Beach, a stretch of sand framed by unusual granite caves and rock formations.
The rocky granite headland of Trousers Point is overlaid with Quaternary sands, shaping coastal beaches, dunes, ridges, and flats. Granite boulders protrude through the shallow sandy soil and along the coastline, creating a striking contrast against the bright waters. The area is also home to significant geoheritage features, with coastal karst landforms at Fotheringate Bay and broad shore platforms extending up to fifty metres. Here, solution pans, sea stacks, caves shaped by emerging groundwater, and marine erosion reveal the ongoing geological processes that have sculpted this landscape over time. Alveolar weathering has carved intricate patterns into the cliffs, adding to the region’s distinct character.
The return journey follows the same coastal track back to Trousers Point Beach, though a more direct route via a gravel road is also an option. With a compacted surface, gentle gradients, and occasional steps, the walk is suitable for most ages and fitness levels. It’s an ideal way to experience the island’s coastal beauty at an easy pace, taking in the contrast between the rugged cliffs and the calm, inviting waters below.
Tips
- Park entry fees apply and can be paid at Service Tasmania in Whitemark. Annual pass holders should bring their 'Annual All Parks Card' to Flinders Island.
- Facilities at Trousers Point include toilets, tank drinking water, gas barbecues, and unpowered campsites. Picnic tables are available at Fotheringate Beach.
- Track conditions – Be mindful of short rocky sections that can be slippery when wet.
- Safety advice – Supervise children at all times, as the beaches are unpatrolled and the track has unprotected edges.
- Restrictions – No pets, firearms, or bicycles are allowed on the track.
- Camp fires – Are not permitted for half of the year within all PWS reserves, with fuel stoves only during the hottest months. This fire ban encompasses the whole North East region of Tasmania.
Content use
Please don’t copy GPX files or content from this site to AllTrails or other platforms. Each trail has been personally mapped, documented, and refined to support Australia’s bushwalking and hiking community. While some details come from land managers, every listing reflects significant personal effort. This is a free, community-driven initiative—your respect helps keep it that way.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 26 m
Min elevation: 8 m
Total climbing: 108 m
Total descent: -108 m
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Strzelecki National Park.
To reach the trailhead, head 16 km south of Whitemark. From there, travel south on road B85 towards Lady Barron and turn onto road C806, which leads to Trousers Point. Flinders Island is accessible by both plane and sea. Sharp Airlines offers flights from Melbourne (1 hour) or Launceston (35 minutes), with a shuttle service from the airport to Whitemark, where you can hire a car, camper van, or bicycle to explore the island. Alternatively, you can bring your own vehicle via a weekly barge service operated by Furneaux Freight from Bridport. Once in Whitemark, simply continue south on the B85 and take the C806 to reach the Strzelecki National Park. Please be mindful of wildlife when driving, especially at night, and take care on the roads.
Closest towns to this walk: Emita, Furneaux, Killiecrankie, Lady Barron, Trousers Point, Whitemark
About the region
Strzelecki National Park
Strzelecki National Park, located in the southwest of Flinders Island, about 400 kilometres from Hobart, is a spectacular destination for hiking and bushwalking. With towering granite peaks, coastal heathland, and Tasmanian blue gum forests, the park offers a mix of challenging climbs and easy coastal walks, all with stunning island views.
The well-known Strzelecki Peaks hike takes you to the island’s highest point, offering breathtaking panoramas along the way. For a more relaxed walk, the 2 km trail at Trousers Point Beach follows a rocky headland, with clear waters and striking granite formations making it a scenic and family-friendly option.
Wildlife is abundant, with wombats, Bennetts wallabies, echidnas, and pademelons often spotted along the trails. Birdwatchers will find plenty to see, including the distinctive Cape Barren Goose and rarer species like the swift parrot and forty-spotted pardalote.
Flinders Island
Flinders Island may be small at just 1,333 square kilometres, but it offers an incredible escape for those seeking adventure, solitude, and stunning natural beauty. With rugged coastlines, deserted beaches, towering granite cliffs, and weathered limestone formations that seem to defy gravity, the island is a dream for hikers and nature lovers alike. More than 120 pristine beaches fringe its shores, while over 65 shipwrecks hint at the region’s dramatic maritime history. Much of the landscape remains untouched since Matthew Flinders first mapped these waters more than 200 years ago, creating a rare sense of stepping back in time. With a variety of short walks and longer hikes weaving through diverse terrain, each day promises something new to explore.
Late spring and summer are ideal times to visit, with October to February bringing warmer temperatures that make a post-hike swim all the more inviting. This is also the island’s busiest season, as visitors take advantage of the long daylight hours and mild conditions. However, no matter when you arrive, the scenery is always spectacular.
Getting around Flinders Island requires some planning, as there’s no public transport. Hiring a vehicle in advance is recommended, or you can bring your own by ferrying it across with Bass Strait Freight. That said, walking remains one of the best ways to take in the island’s beauty, with well-marked trails leading to hidden coves, windswept headlands, and high vantage points that showcase the wild Tasmanian landscape.
The island is a haven for birdlife, with over 200 species either living, breeding, or stopping here on their annual migrations. Thousands of birds, including the giant Wandering Albatross, Pacific Gulls, Wedge-tailed Eagles, and the rare Cape Barren Goose, can be seen across the island’s lagoons and inlets. Between January and April, the sight of thousands of Shearwaters (Mutton birds) returning at dusk to Settlement Point is one not to be missed.
Beyond birdwatching, Flinders Island is home to a thriving population of native wildlife. Common wombats, Bennetts wallabies, Pademelons, echidnas, and possums are all part of the landscape, often spotted foraging in the island’s dense coastal scrub. Wildflowers also flourish along the walking trails, with delicate rock orchids and bush orchids among the seasonal highlights.
Rising from the sea like a chain of rugged mountain peaks, Flinders Island is the jewel of Tasmania’s island walks. Its dramatic terrain, untamed wilderness, and sense of remoteness make it a truly unforgettable destination for those who love exploring on foot.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Strzelecki National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Track grade
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.
Explore safe
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
Packing checklists
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Let someone know
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Suggest an edit
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
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.