Wilderness

Mountainous Island

Tasmania is Australia’s most mountainous region, with 1144 named mountains that include the nation’s toughest climb, the daunting Federation Peak in the south-west World Heritage Wilderness.

It is Tasmania’s mountain grandeur that also has strong appeal for visitors, with road access and gentle walking trails making it easy to access many of the summits, including Mt Wellington, only 10 minutes from the centre of Hobart. Local folklore has it that Tasmania’s mountains, if flattened, would cover a quarter of mainland Australia.

Mountain ranges in Tasmania’s remote south-west date back 1,000 million years. Deeply buried ancient sediments were folded and heated under enormous pressure to form glistening white quartzites and schists.

In the south and central highlands, remnants of dolerite cap many mountains, including Precipitous Bluff and Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Ossa (1617 metres/5300 feet).

Mighty Mountains (from north to south):

Ben Lomond – The imposing Ben Lomond is visible over much of Tasmania’s northern midlands, with a plateau roughly 14km in length, 6 km wide and over 1300 metres high. Ben Lomond is an alpine mountain park providing downhill skiing in the winter season.

Cradle Mountain – The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain have become an icon of Tasmania’s wilderness wilds: reflecting the island’s ancient history and unique landscape.

Mount Ossa – Tasmania’s highest mountain can be reached via a side trek from the Overland Track through the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Frenchman’s Cap – A magnificent white quartzite dome makes this the prominent mountain peak in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Mount Field – Tasmania’s first nature reserve was created here in 1885 and the park’s Russell Falls remain one of the state’s most popular attractions, just one hour’s drive from Hobart.

Mount Wellington – Named in honour of the Duke of Wellington but affectionately known by locals as ‘The Mountain’. The striking ‘organ pipes’ are Mt Wellington’s most distinctive features: towering, columnar, dolerite cliffs formed during the Jurassic era.

Mount Anne – The dark dolerite mass of Mount Anne is the highest peak in the south-west of Tasmania.

Federation Peak – Surrounded by cliffs and razorback ridges, Federation Peak is Australia’s toughest climb. Although it is just 1300m in height, the final 200m is a dangerous 200m vertical climb, requiring ropes and appropriate climbing gear.

Hartz Mountains – The Hartz Mountains National Park affords spectacular views over remote mountain ranges and as far as the southern coast of Tasmania.

For more information on the mountains of Tasmania, please visit Parks and Wildlife Tasmania