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National park in Tasmania, Australia

Beyond Alone · Best: January - February

Southwest National Park

Notoriously extreme weather and continuous precipitous scrambling define Australia's most formidable alpine traverse.

Tasmania, Australia

Plan a trip to Southwest National Park

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Southwest National Park, 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
Tasmania, Australia
Known for
  • Climbing
  • Mountaineering
  • Birdwatching
  • Hiking
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
Loading live weather & climate for Southwest National Park…
Area/Length
70km loop
Elevation
300m to 1,154m
Best window
February for slightly lower rainfall
Key draws
Glacial lakes, extreme scrambling, sheer cliffs
Access
Drive from Hobart to Scotts Peak Dam

Topic summary

Notoriously extreme weather and continuous precipitous scrambling define Australia's most formidable alpine traverse. The Western Arthurs are a jagged quartzite mountain range sculpted by ancient glaciation in deep southwest Tasmania. Reaching them requires crossing massive buttongrass plains (the infamous 'Arthur Plains') that are litt

Key takeaways

  • Area/Length: 70km loop
  • Elevation: 300m to 1,154m
  • Best window: February for slightly lower rainfall
  • Key draws: Glacial lakes, extreme scrambling, sheer cliffs
  • Access: Drive from Hobart to Scotts Peak Dam

Intended uses

  • Wilderness trip planning and destination research
  • Access: Drive from Hobart to Scotts Peak Dam

Verification notes

Compiled from published show records, regional agencies, and topographical / satellite imagery. Region: Tasmania, Australia. Coordinates: -43.155, 146.223.

The country

The Western Arthurs are a jagged quartzite mountain range sculpted by ancient glaciation in deep southwest Tasmania. Reaching them requires crossing massive buttongrass plains (the infamous 'Arthur Plains') that are little more than horizontal swamps. Once in the range, the terrain abruptly shifts to wildly exposed ridges and hanging glacial tarns.

Why enthusiasts come

This traverse is a rite of passage for elite Australian bushwalkers. It offers virtually no standard hiking; progressing involves hauling packs up near-vertical gullies and lowering off cliffs. The isolation is near-absolute, dropping hikers into an environment battered by unceasing Roaring Forties storm systems off the Southern Ocean.

Top experiences

The descent into Lake Oberon is a stunning reveal of a pitch-black lake rimmed by enormous walls of white quartzite. Negotiating the Beggary Bumps is a terrifying mixture of vertical mud-climbing and hauling oneself upward using only tree roots. Standing atop Mount Sirius provides a bird's-eye view of the chain of 30 glacial lakes.

Planner-relevant notes

The Western Arthurs Traverse takes 5 to 7 days, but you must carry 2 extra days of food due to high probability of being pinned in your tent by storms. A National Park Pass is required, and walkers must sign the logbook at Scotts Peak. Pack hauling on a rope is mandatory through several steep rock chimneys; bring a 15m length of cord.

Field notes

  • The 'mud' on the access plains can easily swallow a hiker to the waist; use trekking poles to probe depth.
  • Tents must have a slim profile and substantial storm viability; campsites are tiny, exposed wooden platforms or rocky ledges.
  • Do not hike this route in high winds or snow; the quartzite rock turns slick, and the ridges are narrow.
  • Water is plentiful at the lakes, but it is deeply stained brown by tannins; it is safe to drink but visually alarming.

Frequently asked about Southwest National Park

Where is Southwest National Park?
Southwest National Park is in Tasmania, Australia. Notoriously extreme weather and continuous precipitous scrambling define Australia's most formidable alpine traverse.
How do you get to Southwest National Park?
Access: Drive from Hobart to Scotts Peak Dam. Expect a multi-leg trip — flights to the nearest hub, then float plane, boat, or 4WD depending on conditions.
National park in Tasmania, Australia

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