Location: Wellington Park
Length: 7 kilometres return
Grade: 3 (suitable for most, but some bushwalking experience recommended for steep sections)
Distance from: Hobart - 20 km, Launceston - 221 km, Devonport - 302 km
Wellington Park is an easy natural escape. Sitting just 20 kilometres from Hobart, this park offers high elevation, plenty of walking tracks and stunning views of the city and the River Derwent below. The Hunter's Track Loop is a great way to explore the park and a few different tracks within. You'll get incredible views of Hobart's northern suburbs after passing under a beautiful stand stone cliff face where you can sign your name. You'll then pass by the beautiful New Town Falls before completing the 7-kilometre loop. The entire walk is well signposted and takes about 3 hours so it's perfect for a half-day escape from the hustle and bustle of Tasmania's biggest city.
Take Augusta Road out of Northern Hobart for 2 kilometres as it turns into Lenah Valley Road. Continue on this road for another 4 kilometres until it ends. That's where you'll find a carpark and the start of the loop walk.
The drive from Hobart CBD is a quick 30 minutes. Launceston is a bit farther at 221 km which will take you about 3 hours. Devonport, clear across the island, is more than 300 kilometres away and that drive will take you nearly 4 hours.
Begin at the Lenah Valley Trailhead and find the fire trail to your right. Follow this trail for about a half-kilometre on a gently ascending grade before running into the New Town Rivulet. Look for the Lenah Valley Track signpost then continue up a few rock steps.
The trail gently ascends for the next 20 minutes as you pass the ruins of a small wilderness hut. You'll then link up with the Old Hobartian Track as you hug the New Town Rivulet up a climb for the next 45 minutes. That's when you will come across a sandstone cliff where you'll find plenty of signatures etched into the rock. The trail hugs the cliff and you'll find yourself ducking to get by before bearing right to stay on the trail.
The ascent becomes quite pronounced for the next kilometre before hooking up with the Hunter's Track. It's all downhill from here as you to descend down to Junction Cabin. The forest opens up in sections due to rock sprees to give you uninterrupted views of the northern suburbs of Hobart. This is the time to drink in the trail's beauty.
The beautiful stone Junction Cabin is quite a sight. The forest is cleared for this rustic accommodation and there are plenty of informational displays. After stopping to enjoy the cabin, the loop trail reunites with the Lenah Valley Track to return to the carpark. You'll run into the New Town Falls after about 2 kilometres on your walk back.
The falls are quite impressive when water is high. The water cascades down what looks like stone steps and the falls get wider towards the bottom. When the water is high, it pools at the bottom to create a crystal-clear pond where you might find wildlife taking a drink. After drinking in the beauty of the falls, the trail hooks back up with the New Town Rivulet and you'll be back at the carpark in no time.
Weather can change suddenly in Wellington Park so always pack something warm and resistant to precipitation.
Snakes have been spotted in Wellington Park and all Tasmanian snakes are venomous. Stay on the lookout and seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
