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| South Coast Track | |
|---|---|
| Name | South Coast Track |
| Location | Tasmania |
| Length km | 85–100 |
| Trailheads | Huon River to Cockle Creek |
| Use | Hiking, bushwalking |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging |
| Season | Summer (austral) |
| Surface | Coastal moorland, rainforest, beaches, boardwalk |
South Coast Track The South Coast Track is a long-distance wilderness walking route in southern Tasmania linking remote coastal and alpine environments between the Huon River valley and Cockle Creek near Southwest National Park. The route traverses a mosaic of Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park-adjacent landscapes, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area values, and traditional lands associated with Tasmanian Aboriginal groups. The track is renowned for rugged beaches, temperate rainforests, and exposure to severe weather from the Southern Ocean and Roaring Forties.
The corridor extends roughly 85–100 km across remote southern Tasmania, skirting the southern boundary of the Southwest National Park and approaching features such as Cox Bight, South Cape Bay, and the Maingon Bay region. It links to established routes including the Port Davey Track at Melaleuca and provides access to landmarks like South West Cape and the Maatsuyker Islands. The track is administered within management frameworks used for Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife sites and is often combined with multi-day itineraries that incorporate Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula excursions, or flights to Bathurst Harbour.
Typical access points include trailheads at Fortescue Bay, the Huon River mouth, and coastal entry via Cockle Creek; sea access and light aircraft operations use Melaleuca airstrip. The route passes through anchors such as Louisa Bay, Prion Beach, South Cape Bay, and Eagle River estuary, with alternatives linking to Bathurst Harbour and the Gordon River systems. Logistics often involve coordination with operators associated with Australian National University-affiliated research in the region, local conservation groups like the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Volunteers and transport providers that serve Bruny Island and the Huon Valley.
European exploration and sealing activities in the 19th century involved vessels tied to the Bass Strait sealing trade and coastal surveys by parties connected to the Van Diemen's Land Company. Notable historical references include passages recorded during expeditions associated with the Franklin River exploration era and later conservation campaigns invoking the Gordon-below-Franklin campaign that influenced protections culminating in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Indigenous Tasmanian connections to coastal resources relate to broader narratives reflected in research by institutions such as the University of Tasmania and museums documenting contact histories with European sealing and logging enterprises.
The track traverses temperate rainforest dominated by species noted in assessments led by the Australian National University and the University of Tasmania including endemic plants of the Eucalyptus and Nothofagus complexes, coastal heathlands with Banksia and Epacris communities, and peatland systems similar to those protecting catchments of the Gordon River. Fauna recorded in regional surveys include populations of Tasmanian devil, common wombat, platypus in inland waters, seabirds associated with the Maatsuyker and South East Cape breeding colonies, and subspecies of grey goshawk and smoke albatross observed offshore. Marine mammal sightings include Australian fur seal and seasonal visits from humpback whale migrations along the southern coastline.
Hikers must prepare for extreme weather driven by the Roaring Forties and cold fronts from the Southern Ocean, with rapid changes that affected search and rescue operations coordinated by agencies like the Tasmania Police and volunteer units such as the State Emergency Service. Hazards include river and creek crossings during heavy rainfall, tidal exposure at beaches such as Cox Bight, and navigation challenges in dense rainforest; incidents have prompted guidance from the Parks and Wildlife Service and testimonies published by expedition participants affiliated with the Australian Geographic editorial community. Safety planning often references standards used by organizations including the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience.
Facilities are minimal and managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. There are basic campsites at established huts such as those near Melaleuca and improvised camping on beaches and cleared pads; no commercial lodges are present along the main corridor. Access to supply points typically requires coordination with operators based in Hobart, the Huon Valley settlements, or specialist aircraft services linked to Tasmanian Wilderness tours.
The route attracts experienced bushwalkers from domestic markets including Australia and international visitors arriving via Hobart International Airport and touring operators that also promote nearby attractions like Freycinet and the Tasman Peninsula. Activities include multi-day trekking, sea-kayaking along adjacent coasts, birdwatching tied to groups such as the BirdLife Australia, and photographic expeditions coordinated with outlets such as the Australian Geographic Society.
Management falls under the jurisdiction of the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area framework, with input from conservation organizations including the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and research institutions like the University of Tasmania. Conservation priorities emphasize protection of endemic flora and fauna, visitor impact mitigation, and responses to invasive species and fire management informed by protocols from the Commonwealth of Australia environmental frameworks and state-level legislation such as instruments administered by the DPIPWE.
Category:Hiking tracks in Tasmania