Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to South Coast Track (Tasmania), Australia. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Australia
- Biome
- Coastal wilderness (0–500 m)
- Best season
- December – March
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Sea Kayaking
- Beachcombing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Coastal wilderness (0–500 m)
- Best season: December – March
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of South Coast Track (Tasmania)
Topic summary
An 85-km 7-9 day trek along Tasmania's remote southwest coast.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: December – March
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Coastal wilderness (0–500 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
South Coast Track (Tasmania) trip tools
How to get there
South Coast Track (Tasmania) is in Australia, Australia. Its center point is -43.6500, 146.0500. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at South Coast Track (Tasmania)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Sea Kayaking
Coastal crossings, tides, and protected camps.
- Beachcombing
Tide-line walking between camps.
Animals around South Coast Track (Tasmania)
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — South Coast Track (Tasmania)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at South Coast Track (Tasmania)
Planning to fish South Coast Track (Tasmania), Australia? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Australia are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at South Coast Track (Tasmania)?
- A Australia fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Australia fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near South Coast Track (Tasmania)
Thinking about hunting South Coast Track (Tasmania), Australia? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Australia are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at South Coast Track (Tasmania)?
- Confirm the land around South Coast Track (Tasmania) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Australia?
- A Australia hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Setting and scope
The South Coast Track is the destination covered here, but track-specific access and walking details remain unconfirmed. Tasmania, also known as lutruwita, is Australia’s island state southeast of the mainland. It includes the main island and more than 1,000 smaller islands. More than 45 percent of the state is protected through national parks and World Heritage sites, and its landscapes support varied climates, plants and animals, including species found nowhere else in Australia. That statewide context is useful, but it does not establish the conditions on this particular walk. Plan around confirmed track information rather than general descriptions of Tasmania: the route alignment, suitable starting points, expected walking time and available facilities all need checking before an itinerary is settled.
Access and itinerary planning
Treat transport and the walking itinerary as unresolved until the managing agency confirms the track’s access arrangements. Cockle Creek is a named place in southern Tasmania’s broader coastal geography, but that alone is not enough to establish a trailhead, driving route or transport service for this walk. No specific access point or route variant can be reliably described here. Before arranging travel, establish where the walk begins and ends, how each end can be reached, and whether the proposed itinerary matches the group’s experience. Ask about current track conditions, overnight arrangements and any relevant walker-registration requirements. Avoid using Tasmania’s general reputation for bushwalking, or descriptions of the eastern coast’s mild climate, as a substitute for local advice about this destination.
Park entry and practical checks
A valid parks pass is required to enter any Tasmanian national park. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service offers daily, holiday, annual and two-year passes; holiday passes cover all Tasmanian national parks for up to two months. Choose a pass only after confirming the access arrangements and coverage needed for the trip. Park entry and other activity arrangements are separate questions: additional charges can apply to activities such as multi-day walks and campground stays, but no South Coast Track-specific charge is established here. Confirm current requirements directly with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. Its visitor information also covers alerts, biosecurity, bushfire safety, campfires and overnight walker registration. Check the guidance relevant to the intended walk before making final transport and packing decisions.
Sample itineraries
- South Coast Track preparation day · 1 day
A planning day, not a walking itinerary: confirm the route, access arrangements, expected walking time and current conditions with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service before committing to transport.
- South Coast Track readiness day · 1 day
A suggested preparation day rather than a track stage: check equipment, food, water arrangements and emergency plans against current agency advice. Confirm overnight requirements and obtain the appropriate parks pass.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm suitable walking windows locally.
Tasmania has diverse climates. Check track-specific forecasts and conditions rather than treating the island's general climate as a guide to this walk.
Summer
Confirm suitable walking windows locally.
Check weather forecasts, bushfire advice and any applicable fire restrictions before departure. Do not assume a summer departure guarantees suitable conditions.
Fall
Confirm suitable walking windows locally.
Base clothing, shelter and timing decisions on current local forecasts. Confirm route conditions with the managing agency before finalizing plans.
Winter
Confirm suitable walking windows locally.
Seek track-specific advice before choosing a winter departure. Match equipment and experience to the forecast rather than relying on general descriptions of Tasmania.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm suitable walking windows locally. | Tasmania has diverse climates. Check track-specific forecasts and conditions rather than treating the island's general climate as a guide to this walk. |
| Summer | Confirm suitable walking windows locally. | Check weather forecasts, bushfire advice and any applicable fire restrictions before departure. Do not assume a summer departure guarantees suitable conditions. |
| Fall | Confirm suitable walking windows locally. | Base clothing, shelter and timing decisions on current local forecasts. Confirm route conditions with the managing agency before finalizing plans. |
| Winter | Confirm suitable walking windows locally. | Seek track-specific advice before choosing a winter departure. Match equipment and experience to the forecast rather than relying on general descriptions of Tasmania. |
Permits, fees & closures
A valid parks pass is required for entry to all Tasmanian national parks. Confirm South Coast Track requirements, including overnight walker registration, with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.
Fees: The per-person Holiday Pass for visitors travelling by bus, cycle or on foot costs $49.20 and covers all Tasmanian national parks for up to two months. Park entry fees are reviewed annually.
Official source: Park passes and entry fees | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania · Verified September 20, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Weather: Tasmania's diverse climates make local forecasts important; avoid relying on broad regional climate descriptions.
- Bushfire: check current safety advice and applicable fire bans before departure.
- Coastal water: assess conditions conservatively near the water; confirm any route-specific water hazards with the managing agency.
What to pack for South Coast Track (Tasmania)
- Waterproof outer layers
- Insulating layers matched to the forecast
- Weather protection for packed gear
- Current route information and suitable navigation tools
- First-aid kit
- Emergency communication equipment suited to confirmed coverage
- Shelter and sleeping equipment matched to expected conditions
- Food matched to the confirmed walking duration
- Water containers and treatment equipment
South Coast Track (Tasmania) FAQ
- How many days should be allowed for the South Coast Track?
- Confirm the walking duration and stage options with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. The preparation days above are not an estimate of the track's walking time.
- Where does the walk start and finish?
- Obtain current, track-specific access information before booking transport. Confirm both endpoints, transport arrangements and any access restrictions with the managing agency.
- Is a parks pass required?
- A valid parks pass is required for all Tasmanian national parks. Choose coverage for the full visit and separately confirm any South Coast Track overnight requirements.
- Does a parks pass cover every trip expense?
- Not necessarily. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service advises that additional charges may apply to activities including multi-day walks and campground stays. Confirm which, if any, apply to this trip.
- What is the best season to walk?
- Choose a departure using track-specific seasonal advice and current conditions. Tasmania's diverse climates make statewide descriptions insufficient for selecting a walking window.
- What needs checking before departure?
- Confirm route details, walking duration, access, overnight requirements, water arrangements, weather, bushfire advice and emergency options. Leave a trip plan with a reliable contact.