Shag Bay Heritage Walk

This walk is the perfect way to introduce your family to Tasmania when you touch down in Hobart. The trailhead is a short drive from Hobart CBD and it’s an easy walk to stretch your legs after a long flight. This heritage walked is well posted, features an easy grade and gives you beautiful views of one of Tasmania’s most powerful Rivers — the Derwent.

Getting There

Take the Tasman highway east over the Tasman Bridge from Hobart CBD. Follow the Tasman highway as it rounds north until you get to Geilston Bay. Exit onto Geilston Bay Road back toward the river for 2 kilometers until you hit the trailhead. All in all, the drive should take you about 20 minutes.

The Trail

This out-and-back trail is only about 3 kilometers and is relatively flat throughout. You’ll find many Hobartians jogging this River track for exercise. And while this trail is perfectly suited for families, you’ll have to leave the dog behind. The end of the trail ascends into the East Risdon Nature Reserve where dogs are prohibited.

You’ll follow the shoreline for about 500 meters before getting into more open terrain. The track then leads downhill to your left to the most stunning feature of the trail — the Bedlam Walls Caves. Access to the caves is prohibited so enter at your own risk, but you’ll find dramatic views of the river through two different cave openings while inside.

By now you’ve noticed that the entire track features informational displays about Aboriginal life in the area. The main track will then take you up to the Aboriginal quarry and the Shaggy Bay Foreshore. Continue on and you’ll find a short but steep incline to the East Risdon Nature Reserve where dogs are prohibited. From the end of the trail here you can see the impressive Bowen Bridge. After drinking in the views, it’s time to turn around and head back to the carpark.

Precautions

This easy walking track is short, does not have many hazards and is quite urban. It would be difficult to get caught out in nasty weather, but the cliffs near Bedlam Walls Cave are quite tall. Be careful.

This walk is the perfect way to introduce your family to Tasmania when you touch down in Hobart. The trailhead is a short drive from Hobart CBD and it’s an easy walk to stretch your legs after a long flight. This heritage walked is well posted, features an easy grade and gives you beautiful views of one of Tasmania’s most powerful Rivers — the Derwent.

Getting There

Take the Tasman highway east over the Tasman Bridge from Hobart CBD. Follow the Tasman highway as it rounds north until you get to Geilston Bay. Exit onto Geilston Bay Road back toward the river for 2 kilometers until you hit the trailhead. All in all, the drive should take you about 20 minutes.

The Trail

This out-and-back trail is only about 3 kilometers and is relatively flat throughout. You’ll find many Hobartians jogging this River track for exercise. And while this trail is perfectly suited for families, you’ll have to leave the dog behind. The end of the trail ascends into the East Risdon Nature Reserve where dogs are prohibited.

You’ll follow the shoreline for about 500 meters before getting into more open terrain. The track then leads downhill to your left to the most stunning feature of the trail — the Bedlam Walls Caves. Access to the caves is prohibited so enter at your own risk, but you’ll find dramatic views of the river through two different cave openings while inside.

By now you’ve noticed that the entire track features informational displays about Aboriginal life in the area. The main track will then take you up to the Aboriginal quarry and the Shaggy Bay Foreshore. Continue on and you’ll find a short but steep incline to the East Risdon Nature Reserve where dogs are prohibited. From the end of the trail here you can see the impressive Bowen Bridge. After drinking in the views, it’s time to turn around and head back to the carpark.

Precautions

This easy walking track is short, does not have many hazards and is quite urban. It would be difficult to get caught out in nasty weather, but the cliffs near Bedlam Walls Cave are quite tall. Be careful.