Length: 11.5km
Duration: 4hrs
Grade: 3
Style: Return
Start: End of Kelly Basin Road
End: End of Kelly Basin Road

Location: Macquarie Harbour Historic Site
Closest Town: Queenstown
Distance from CBD: 303km
State: TAS
Latitude: -42.343074
Longitude: 145.5914

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2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

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Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

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Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

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Prams & Strollers

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Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Trail Running

Horse Riding

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

Hike Summary

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.

Region

The Western Wilderness

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 Mt Jukes Road. Continue on this road for about 30 minutes until the right hand turn to the Bird River walking track.

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.

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

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