Hartz Mountains National ParkAbout Hartz Mountains National Park
Hartz Mountains National Park is a protected area in southern Tasmania known for its rugged highland terrain, alpine moorlands and short mountain walks. The park preserves an island of montane vegetation and rocky peaks within Tasmania’s southern highlands.
Trails lead to summits, alpine plateaus and sheltered subalpine forests; a well-known destination is the ascent of Hartz Peak at about 1,254 metres for wide views of the park. Boardwalks and marked paths cross fragile moorland and provide access to scenic viewpoints and small tarns.
The area has been protected for conservation since the early 20th century and was designated as a national park to conserve its highland ecosystems and provide managed recreation opportunities.
Situated in southern Tasmania, the park lies inland from the Huon and Derwent valleys and is within driving distance of Hobart to the northeast, forming part of Tasmania’s southern mountain country.
- Habitat and walking tracks: Contains a compact area of subalpine and alpine environments within southern Tasmania, offering marked vegetation changes over short distances and a range of short to multi-day walking tracks.
What to See#
- Hartz Peak: Hartz Peak - the park’s highest summit at approximately 1,254 metres, popular with hikers for panoramic views of the surrounding highland plateau.
- Alpine landscapes: Alpine and subalpine vegetation zones with exposed dolerite tors and moorland that characterize the park’s high-elevation terrain.
Best Time to Visit Hartz Mountains National Park
Summer for easiest access; watch for rapidly changing alpine conditions year-round.
Weather & Climate near Hartz Mountains National Park
Hartz Mountains National Park's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 0°C to 16°C. Abundant rainfall (1762 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 6° - 16° | 11° | 109 mm | - | - | 7.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 6° - 16° | 11° | 98 mm | - | - | 6.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 5° - 14° | 6° | 110 mm | - | - | 7.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 11° | 4° | 134 mm | - | - | 7.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 2° - 8° | 0° | 149 mm | - | - | 8.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 1° - 6° | -2° | 146 mm | - | - | 8.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 0° - 5° | -3° | 183 mm | - | - | 7.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 0° - 6° | -2° | 196 mm | - | - | 8.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 1° - 8° | -1° | 179 mm | - | - | 8.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 10° | 2° | 170 mm | - | - | 8.3 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 4° - 12° | 4° | 143 mm | - | - | 7.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 5° - 14° | 6° | 145 mm | - | - | 8.0 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Hartz Mountains National Park
From Hobart drive south-west on the Huon Highway (A6) toward Geeveston, then follow sealed park access roads to the Hartz Mountains National Park car parks. The drive is roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on starting point and traffic.
Tips for Visiting Hartz Mountains National Park
- Expect alpine weather-bring warm layers even in summer. Trails can be muddy after rain.
- The Hartz Mountains Track (Hartz Peak) is the classic hike; start early for the best light and to avoid afternoon cloud buildup.
- Book accommodation in nearby Geeveston or Huonville; road access is via the A6 and then sealed park roads.