Hobart's best short walks for the family. The city of Hobart has countless great short walks for nature lovers and scenic viewing alike. Here is our top 5 list.
Not everyone wants to go on a long Tasmanian hike. Sometimes we're simply after scenic views along local trails. If you're after an easy walk for yourself, the family or you and a loved one, this list is for you. Choose from a mix of areas, including suburban, coastal and through the Tasmanian bush!
If you're instead after one of the best hiking trails on Mount Wellington, or some general hikes around Tasmania, we have information on those too!
Here's my top 5 list of Hobart's best short walks, tracks and trails.
Table of Contents
1. Hobart Rivulet and Cascade Gardens 2. GASP Trail 3. Clarence Foreshore Trail 4. Alum Cliffs Track Near Hobart 5. Risdon Brook Dam Circuit Bonus: Seven Mile Beach Summary of Great Short Walks Hobart1. Hobart Rivulet and Cascade Gardens
Distance: 5km return
Elevation Gain: 100m
Approximate duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Hobart's Rivulet runs through the city, but is easy to miss if you're not looking for it. At the edge of the CBD, where the rivulet meets the city, is the start of the Rivulet and Cascade Gardens trail - one of my favourites in all of Hobart and a part of my daily commute ride to work.
There's a car park at the start of the Rivulet trail if you need it, or Liverpool or Collins Street has more metered parking you can use if the car park is full.
2. GASP Trail
Distance: 3.2km
Elevation Gain: 20m
Approximate duration: 45 minutes
Carpark for the GASP Trail
This walk begins from the foreshore road at Elwick Bay and takes you along to Wilkinsons Point. There are a variety of art displays, bird-watching opportunities and sculptures along the trail that you can take in while walking.
The path is clearly marked and impossible to get lost on. You'll also find some public toilets at the end which is a bonus!
3. Clarence Foreshore Trail
Total Distance: 19.2km one-way
The full Clarence Foreshore Trail is extremely long (doesn't quite meet the 'short' requirement) so we'd recommend choosing a section of this trail to stroll along. There are multiple starting points, each with its highlights! Pick and choose as you wish. Distances are listed for all individual sections of the full trail.
Lindisfarne to Geilston Bay
Distance: 3.5km (one way)
Approximate duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Perhaps the least common of the sections, although in no way less worthy of your time. This section has more of a Tasmanian bushland feeling as you escape the city and press on towards Koomela Bay and Geilston Bay Boat Club. This is as far as the Clarence Foreshore Trail goes, but as this ends, another walk begins, the Shag Bay track, which leads you to yet another called takara limuna (Sheoak Walk).
You can find some parking at Sarean Ct if you wish to explore this!
Tasman Bridge to Lindisfarne or Bellerive Quay
Distance to Bellerive Quay: 3.5km (one way)
Distance to Lindisfarne: 2.5km (one way)
Approximate duration: 50 - 65 minutes
I've joined two sections into one here. If you begin at Tasman Bridge (directions to the car park here), you can choose to walk in either direction! Or, if you're up for it, you can walk the full 12km return by starting at either Lindisfarne or Bellerive Quay.
The Lindisfarne section begins with a little tree coverage before opening up, while the other direction through Montagu Bay is under low foliage throughout most of the walk. Each has its features and is enjoyable in its own right.
Bellerive Quay to Bellerive Beach
Distance: 2km
Approximate duration: 45 minutes
Although one of the shorter sections of the full trail, it has some of the best views as you walk around Kangaroo Bluff Reserve and Victoria Esplanade. This has been a personal favourite of mine for Saturday mornings. With multiple cafes in Bellerive to grab a hot beverage, my choice being Groundsman Espresso, it's a great way to enjoy the morning.
Bellerive Beach to Howrah
Distance: 3km (one way)
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
There is ample parking at Bellerive Beach, along with a playground and BBQ area. As you begin the walk, you can choose to walk along the beach or the pavement. Both will end up in the same place! As you approach Little Howrah Beach after the first half of the track, you again have the option to stay on the path or to switch to the beach. I recommend walking along the beach at least once if you're walking there and back on this track.
If you're interested in running, there is a 5km community park run held there every Saturday, beginning at Bellerive Beach.
Howrah to Tranmere
Distance: 4.7km (one way)
Approximate duration: 1.5 hours
The beginning of this section is on footpaths and local streets. After approximately 1km, you'll be able to turn right down a gravel path, just after Cleve Ct, which is the start of perhaps the best section of trail on the entire Eastern shore. You can continue walking this through to Pindos Park and turn around, or push on a little further to the end of Oceana Drive, which is just under an additional kilometre each way.
If you'd like to skip the street walking, you can park at the beginning of the trail too.
The Clarence City Council have a map outlining this walk here.
4. Alum Cliffs Track Near Hobart
Distance: 6.8km return
Elevation Gain: 300m
Approximate duration: 2 - 2.5 hours return
Start by parking at Christopher Johnson Memorial Park
The Alum Cliffs track is well-defined, though it does include some rocky sections. It is generally an easy walk, with a few ups and downs that may be a challenge for some. Toward the end of the trail, there is a roughly 40-meter ravine, which can be crossed using stairs on either side, presenting a fun obstacle for most walkers.
The trail has a few designated lookout spots that offer scenic vistas and beautiful views of the Derwent. The trail tends to be set back about 20 meters from the ledge, with trees and bushes in between, which may obscure the view. As you approach the shot tower at the end of the trail, you'll find several hills and steps leading up to it.
While walking the trail, there's a chance you may see an echidna wandering along, or even kookaburras!
I recommend making the effort to visit the shot tower, have some scones, and climb to the top for the views. If you’d like to extend the walk, you can continue onto the Taroona Foreshore Trail at the Northern end by walking down Wandella Avenue.
Click here for a Alum Cliffs Trail Map.
5. Risdon Brook Dam Circuit
Distance: 4.5km
Elevation Gain: 70m
Approximate duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
Get directions to Risdon Brook Park here.
One of many walks in the area, the Risdon Brook Park Circuit takes you for an easy 1hr walk around the Lake. The park is a popular area for recreational activities and includes BBQs, benches and a little playground as well. Locals have said you are likely to see a wallaby or two during the walk. From personal experience, I can agree with this.
If you're up for a longer distance or something more challenging, you can also climb Mount Direction from the Park Circuit.
Note that the park is subject to opening hours, so please look online in advance before deciding to drive out.
Bonus: Seven Mile Beach
Distance: Seven miles
Approximate duration: as long as you'd like to walk!
Get directions to Seven Mile Beach here.
Sometimes we just want a walk along the beach. While there are several beaches closer to Hobart, including Nut Grove, Bellerive Beach and Howrah Beach, I believe the drive out to Seven Mile is well worth it, especially in summer evenings. There are a few BBQs in the day-use areas to take advantage of if you'd like to finish the walk with a BBQ.
As the beach stretches out several miles, walk as far or as short as you'd like! I've walked the whole length once before and I was out for a few hours.
Summary of Great Short Walks Hobart
Whether you're in the area for a day or longer period, Hobart has several trails in the area that will suit your liking. There are many more trails to explore if you wish to look for others. This, however, is our top 5 to get you started for your time in Hobart, Tasmania!
Discover more for your Tasmanian adventure below!