Franklin, Geeveston, Dover and the estuary

Lower Huon Valley Drive

Practical notes for driving the lower Huon Valley corridor and accessing the Hartz Mountains from Geeveston. Covers access, road conditions, park rules, basic facilities and safety checks to make the short drives and short walks safe and sensible.

By Our Tasmania Editorial

PLATE XL. TRICHOGLOSSUS NOYCE HOLLANDKE. (Omei.) BLUE-BILLED LORIKEET. Genus: Trichoglossus. THIS is surely the Brobdignagian king of the Trichoglossi. It is a noble bird, gorgeously apparelled, and so like Trichoglossus rubritorquis that it is evidently a large, strong, and beautiful evolution of that species ; and a lovely contrast to the sombre foliage among which it flits with lightning rapidity. The close connection is singular from the fact that that while the Rubritorquis is a stationary example of the Avifauna of the far North, and is confined to a restricted locality, having only one common meeting ground with its near ally at Cape York, the Novce Hollandioe is extensvely dispersed over the whole of the eastern and south-eastern face of the continent as far as South Australia, and even crosses to Tasmania, though its visits to that island are irregular. In all other respects this Lorikeet so closely resembles the red-coloured Lorikeet that a description is not necessary. The female is slightly smaller, and the scales on the breast are more defined than in the male. Egg, roundish oval, white. Length, thirteen lines and a-half ; breadth, ten lines and a-half. Head, cheeks, throat, royal blue, with a lighter stripe down each feather ; breast, scales of red and yellow, with faint black marking ; abdomen, deep royal blue in centre, blotched on each side with red and yellow ; vent, green with yellow blotches ; under tail surfaces, canary yellow at base, becoming golden green at tips ; all the upper surfaces green, blotched at the base of the neck with scarlet and yellow ; wings, dark green on their outer webs, inner webs, black, crossed by a broad oblique band of bright yellow ; tail, green above, passing into blue at the tips of the two central feathers ; under tail coverts, rich yellow, with an oblong patch of green at the extremity of each feather. Length, about fourteen inches. Habitats : Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York, Rockingham Bay, Port Denison, Wide Bay District, Dawson River, G.B., Richmond and Clarence River Districts (New South Wales), Interior, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. TRICHOGLOSSUS RUBRITORQUIS (rig. and Sorsf.). RED-COLOURED LORIKEET. Genus: Trichoglossus. IT is the natural bias of the human mind to judge of the whole by individual members, and if those members are numerous enough to develope a variety, and yet do not show any such inclination, the positive element seems to be reasonably substantiated, and a hypothesis deduced. We have hitherto regarded the Trichoglossus as a tiny dainty bird, whose fitting home is among the aromatic flower cups. The surprise is greater, then, to find that there are giants among the tribe of liliputians, and the Trichoglossus rubritorquis is a strong evidence of the fact, for it is quite as large as the Rosella, and as such should seem to have no kinship with the consumers of ambrosial fare such as the nectar of flowers. In its habits and economy the Red-Coloured Lorikeet resembles its small congeners so closely that a description of the one fits equally well the other, with the trifling difference that it is more restrictive in its exclusive partiality for the flowers of the eucalypts. The tea tree (melaleuca), which provides an abundant harvest for the Trichoglossus versicolor and others, is totally ignored by this species. Gilbert remarks that " this species is abundant in all parts of the Coburg Peninsula and the adjacent islands, and is an especial favourite with the natives, who carefully preserve the heads of all they kill, for the purpose of ornamenting their persons by slinging them to the arm a little above the elbow. It is generally seen in large flocks, feeding on the summits of the loftiest trees. Its flight is rapid in the extreme. Like the other Trichoglossi, its food consists of honey and the buds of flowers."Broinowski, Gracius J., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Plan the drive

How the lower Huon corridor links to the Hartz Range

The southern Huon Valley corridor provides road access to the Hartz Mountains National Park via Geeveston on the A6. From Geeveston a clearly signed turn leads toward the park; the final section of road is unsealed for about 10.5 km. The park sits at the southern end of the valley and gives short, well-graded walks and alpine scenery within a World Heritage area.

Road conditions and seasonal checks

Check road conditions before you travel. The access road to the Hartz area can be closed by snow in winter. If your vehicle is not fitted with chains, do not drive further in snow; becoming stuck creates a real hypothermia risk. There are no rangers based in the park, so plan for self-reliance and allow time for changes to weather or road status.

Driving safely on quiet country roads

Lower valley roads include sealed highway sections and narrower, unsealed sections closer to park entrances. Reduce speed on blind bends and avoid passing on crests and corners. Avoid driving in reserves at night where possible because native wildlife is active at dusk and after dark. These practical precautions reflect broader Tasmanian road-safety guidance for regional driving.

Facilities, rules and what the park provides

Hartz Mountains National Park is a fuel-stove-only area; open fires are prohibited. There are no camping facilities inside the park. Near the Waratah Lookout track and at the Hartz visitor shelter you will find basic day-use facilities including water, picnic tables and toilets. Some visitor facilities are designed for disabled access.

A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks. If you plan to walk in the park, even for a short stroll, register your walk at the booth beside the main car park and sign out when you leave. Those steps help park managers and improve safety because there are no on-site rangers.

Short walks and clothing requirements

Tracks such as Waratah Lookout, Arve Falls and Lake Osborne are shorter and well graded; they typically take under an hour return and give a good sense of the landscape. More demanding walks to Lake Esperance or Hartz Peak take two to five hours return and require sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing.

Weather in alpine areas can change quickly. Include warm, windproof and waterproof layers, plus sealed waterproof over-trousers in alpine conditions. Deaths have been recorded where walkers were caught unprepared; children, older people and anyone with a health condition should be cautious in exposed weather. The park notes that winter often brings snow and freezing temperatures while spring and early summer offer wildflower displays.

Suitability, pace and trip planning

The lower Huon corridor suits short day visits for people who want river-valley scenery and the option to add short alpine walks. The Hartz area is achievable in a half-day or day from nearby towns, but final road conditions and alpine weather can affect pacing. Because the final park approach is unsealed, allow extra time and avoid scheduling tight connections that require rapid driving.

Carry water, a basic first-aid kit and mobile phone, but do not rely on immediate ranger support. If you plan longer walks or to travel in winter conditions, detail your route and expected return to someone who will check on you if you do not sign out at the park booth.

Practical reminders

Check local road reports before departing and accept that closures can be sudden in winter.
If snow is present, do not proceed without chains fitted for your vehicle and the skills to use them.
Register short walks at the car-park booth and sign out on return.
Respect the fuel-stove-only rule; fires are not permitted in the park.
Avoid driving in reserves after dark to reduce wildlife strikes and for personal safety.

Using the information

Allow extra travel time for the unsealed final section and for stops at lookouts or short walks. The park provides enough day facilities for a picnicking and short exploration, but it is not set up for overnight camping. Expect rapidly changing weather in alpine areas and plan clothing and footwear accordingly. These practical checks and modest adjustments make a lower Huon corridor visit and a short Hartz Mountains walk straightforward while limiting exposure to predictable hazards.

Sources and further reading

Archived topic reference: Lower Huon Valley Drive · Internet Archive
Huon Valley visitor information · Huon Valley Council
Hartz Mountains National Park · Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania
Road safety · Road Safety Advisory Council Tasmania

Before you go

Practical information

Access route: Via Geeveston on the A6; final 10.5 km unsealed
Before you go: Check road conditions and park alerts; expect seasonal closures
Vehicle equipment: Carry chains if travelling in winter; do not proceed in snow without them
Park requirements: Valid parks pass required; fuel-stove-only rules apply; no camping
Facilities: Basic water, picnic shelters and toilets at Waratah Lookout and Hartz visitor shelter
Walk safety: Register your walk at the main car-park booth and sign out on return; wear sturdy footwear and warm, waterproof clothing
Night driving: Avoid driving in reserves at night where possible due to active wildlife

Park access road: Hartz Mountains National Park is reached from Geeveston on the A6; the final section of road is unsealed for about 10.5 km.
Parks pass: A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
Fire rules: The park is a fuel-stove-only area; open fires are prohibited.
Camping: There are no camping facilities in Hartz Mountains National Park.
Facilities: Water, picnic tables and toilets are available near Waratah Lookout and at the Hartz visitor shelter.
Walk registration: Visitors should register short walks at the booth beside the main car park and sign out on return.
Ranger presence: No rangers are based in the park; plan for self-reliance.
Alpine conditions: Weather can change quickly; snow and freezing temperatures occur in winter and can close roads.

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