South Cape Bay, Cockle Creek

Experience a taste of the wild south on this delightful extended walk. Leave from the southernmost road in Australia and walk through woodland and open bush till you reach the cliff above South Cape Bay.

It’s a rare day when the wind isn’t howling and the surf roaring at this breathtaking place. If conditions allow, take the steps down to the beach. There you can wander the sand and cobble beach as far as Lion Rock, and marvel at what the wild ocean has washed up.

A National Parks pass will be required to access the Southwest National Park. These can be obtained from the Huonville Parks Shop or online (https://passes.parks.tas.gov.au/).

Part of the 60 Great Short Walks, owned and managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.

Distance: 15.4km return

Suggested Time: 4 hours return

Difficulty: Grade 3. Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps.

Facilities: Toilets and un-powered camping areas (at Cockle Creek)

Getting there:

Travel south through the townships of Huonville (over bridge), Franklin, Geeveston and Dover. At the junction to Southport take the C635 south to Lune River. Then the C636 from Lune River township to Cockle Creek. The car park is signposted shortly after crossing the Cockle Creek bridge.

Plan ahead

Tasmania’s remote areas are beautiful however weather and track conditions can change suddenly. Mobile reception in many of these areas can be limited or non existent. These tracks are not Council owned or maintained.

Be prepared for the walk or activity. Plan ahead, bring enough water, check the alerts, and make sure you are comfortable with the difficulty rating.

For more information, visit the following websites:

Leave No Trace is an internationally accepted way of minimising your impacts on the places we visit. Respect wildlife, be considerate of others, dispose of your waste properly.