Wellington Park

Introduction

Mount Wellington, rising 1270 metres above the city nestled into its rolling foothills, is the focal point of Wellington Park. It is an iconic Hobart landmark, snow covered and sharply outlined against a clear sky in winter or looming ominously over the small Tasmanian capital like a brooding giant. Often it can be both in a single day or disappear completely into low cloud. The drive to the Pinnacle, where there is a concentration of attractions, is a must for all visitors.

Charles Darwin climbed the mountain summit during his 1836 expedition in the Beagle. Before the name Wellington was adopted, Europeans referred to it as Skiddaw, Table Hill or Mount Collins. To Mouheneener people it is Unghanyahletta, Pooranetere or Kunanyi. To Hobartians it is just ‘the mountain’. From its dolerite cap there are bird’s-eye views all the way to Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula, over Hobart and the Derwent Estuary and across to the southern part of Tasmania’s World Heritage area. Animals here include brushtail possums, Bennett’s wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons, echidnas, wombats and potoroos. The more densely forested areas provide shelter for ringtail possums, eastern and little pygmy-possums, bandicoots, sugar gliders and dusky antechinus. Platypuses live in creeks and dams. There are 55 bird species including superb fairy-wrens, spotted pardalotes, Tasmanian thornbills and beautiful fi retails. In summer you may see a brown goshawk, wedge-tailed eagle or peregrine falcon.

Park landmarks include Collins Cap and Sleeping Beauty, and with its babbling creeks, waterfalls, ferny glades and boulder fields the area offers great spots for picnics, bike riding and dog walking. There are 4WD access areas and world-class rockclimbing sites including the Organ Pipes, sheer dolerite columns that are spectacular even when viewed from the city. There is a good map guide to the complex network of tracks, which range from easy rambles to full day or overnight treks; the guide includes information on history, geology, flora, fauna, safety and activities.

Fact file

Camping

Restricted camping only so contact Park Trust for details

Location

22 km south-west of Hobart via Davey St (A6) and Huon Rd (B64) to Fern Tree then Pinnacle Rd (C616)

Park Information

• Wellington Park Trust (03) 6238 2176
• Hobart City Council (03) 6238 2711
• PWS (03) 6233 6560

Size

18 250 ha

Where to Stay

Hobart (03) 6230 8233

This content is from the publication:

Explore Australia’s National Parks

RRP $49.95

Buy now