South-West National Park

South-West National Park is a large protected area in the southwest corner of Tasmania, Australia, and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It protects extensive tracts of remote wilderness including coastal systems, rainforests and alpine areas.

Key attractions include the tidal estuaries and harbours such as Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, and long-distance bushwalking routes that run along the coast and through interior wildlands. The park is valued for its intact natural ecosystems and for wilderness recreation.

The park was established to conserve the region’s unique biodiversity, glacial landforms and temperate rainforests, and it remains largely roadless with limited visitor facilities. Management emphasises low-impact access and protection of ecological values.

Geographically the park occupies the rugged southwest of Tasmania, bounded by the Southern Ocean to the south and west and by other conservation areas to the north and east. Nearest population centres are at some distance and access is commonly by boat or multi-day hikes.

• World Heritage status: The park forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and protects a broad swath of remote, largely roadless southwest Tasmania.
• Access and safety: Access is limited and often requires boat transport or long hikes; weather can change rapidly, so prepare for remote conditions.

What to See#

• Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour: A large tidal harbour and estuary complex comprising Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour, notable for extensive wetlands and remote coastline.
• South Coast Track: The South Coast Track is a long-distance wilderness hiking route that traverses coastal sections of the park and is used by experienced walkers.

Access from Hobart or Strahan by road to park entry points; key gateways include Cockle Creek (southern access) and the Lyell Highway (for northern approaches). Many interior routes require multi-day hikes or boat transfers.

• Bring a detailed topographic map and GPS - some tracks are unmarked and range over remote, rugged terrain.
• Plan multi-day trips via DOC huts; reserve in advance during peak season (Dec-Feb).
• Be prepared for rapidly changing mountain weather; even in summer, nighttime temps can be low.