About South Coast Track
The South Coast Track is an 85-kilometre wilderness hiking trail in Southwest National Park, Tasmania, within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Running between Melaleuca and Cockle Creek in the Huon Valley, it traverses remote beaches, rainforest, button grass plains and the Ironbound Range. Notable for its isolation, challenging terrain and pristine coastal scenery, it is one of Australia's most demanding multi-day walks requiring self-sufficiency.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a remote, self-sufficient multi-day hike between Melaleuca and Cockle Creek through Southwest National Park. The track crosses long ocean beaches, button grass moorlands, temperate rainforest, and the exposed Ironbound Range, with unbridged river and tidal creek crossings. There are no huts, only basic bush campsites with pit toilets. Walkers carry all food, fuel and equipment and experience highly changeable weather, rugged coastal scenery and complete isolation with no mobile reception.
Key highlights
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85 km wilderness track between Melaleuca and Cockle Creek in Southwest National Park
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Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
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Crossing of the Ironbound Range with extensive coastal views
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Remote beaches including Prion Beach, Granite Beach and South Cape Bay
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Button grass plains, rainforest and alpine sections
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Unbridged river crossings and tidal estuaries
History of South Coast Track
Located within Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area listed in 1982 for its natural and cultural values. The region has a long Aboriginal heritage and later history of sealing, whaling, mining and bushwalking exploration. The track was developed as a wilderness walking route linking the former mining settlement at Melaleuca with Cockle Creek, the southernmost road-accessible point in Australia.
Culture & Context
The track lies within Country traditionally cared for by Tasmanian Aboriginal people, with cultural heritage associated with coastal occupation. Today it is valued as a wilderness recreation experience emphasizing minimal impact, self-reliance and appreciation of pristine natural landscapes within the World Heritage Area.