Skip to content
Menu
TasTrails.com
  • Home
  • The Trails
  • – by Location
    • Central Tasmania
    • East Coast Tasmania
    • Hobart and Surrounding
      • Clarence
      • Hobart City
      • Sandy Bay and Surrounding
      • Wellington Park (kunanyi)
    • Launceston and Surrounding
    • Northeastern Tasmania
    • Northwestern Tasmania
    • Southern Tasmania
      • Bruny Island
      • Huon Valley & Surrounding
      • Kingborough
      • Mount Field and Surrounding
    • Southwestern Tasmania
    • Tasman Peninsula
    • Western Tasmania
  • – by National Park
    • Ben Lomond
    • Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair
    • Freycinet
    • Hartz Mountains
    • Maria Island
    • Mount Field
    • Mount Williams
    • South Bruny
    • Southwest
    • Tasman
    • Walls of Jerusalem
    • Wild Rivers
  • About / Contact
    • About Tastrails
    • Contact Us
    • Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
    • Our Flickr Gallery 1
    • Our Flickr Gallery 2
    • Safety
    • Information Key
TasTrails.com

South Cape Bay

Walked on January 6, 2014September 30, 2020

Introduction

Located along the most southern tip of Tasmania’s South-West National Park, the South Cape Bay trail takes in sensational marshlands, forests and sweeping ocean views from rugged cliff tops. This 5 hour return, 16km hike is a must for any adventurous types visiting Cockle Creek.

Getting There


View Google Map Directions
From Hobart head south along the Southern Outlet (A6) for 10km. Take the right hand lane at the Kingston Bypass and continue on for 2km before taking the 4th exit to Channel Highway (B68) at the roundabout. Continue through Huonville on the Huon Highway for 70km to Hastings Caves Road (C635). Following this road (changing to Lune River Road soon after) for an additional 22km to get to Cockle Creek. The South Cape Bay walk begins behind the rangers station.

The Trail

From the carpark the trail first skirts Cockle Creek, meeting the walker’s registration box soon after. For the next 3km the trail scrabbles over the gentle rocky slopes of Moulders Hill before opening up onto duck boarded marshlands. Thanks to the duckboards, the walking here is easy and the next few kilometres are quickly covered. The trail then climbs along several gentle hills, emerging onto the rugged dark cliff-top surrounding South Cape Bay.

This clifftop section of the trail is enticingly beautiful and eerie all at once. The barren grey rock stands in stark contrast to the lush forest recently departed. From here incredible views of South Cape, Lion Rock and the turbulent ocean occasionally packed with surfers are offered.

Continuing down onto South Cape Beach is highly recommended via the staircase provided on the far side of the cliffs. Toilets and campgrounds can be found inland near the creek leading onto the beach. Return via the same route.

Trail Map

South-Cape-Bay
Map for illustrative purposes only. Base map supplied by Land Information System Tasmania.

Photos

South Cape Bay Track
South Cape Bay Track
South Cape Bay Cliffs
South Cape Bay Cliffs
South Cape Bay, Lions Rock
South Cape Bay, Lions Rock

View more South Cape Bay Photos

Hazards and Warnings

There are steep cliffs above South Cape Bay, many of which have extremely corroded edges. The main beach is also well known for having dangerous rips so please be smart and safe near the water.

External Links

  • Southwest National Park
  • South Coast Track

Quick Search

Trail Location

Nearby Trails

  • Billy Brown Falls
    Billy Brown Falls, Judbury

    Billy Brown Falls, Judbury Walk Grade: Easy | Time: 1 Hour Distance: 2km | Parks Pass Not Needed

  • Pelverata Falls

    Pelverata Falls, Kingborough Walk Grade: Easy | Time: 2 hours Distance: 6km | Parks Pass Not Needed

  • Mickeys Beach
    Mickeys Beach

    Mickeys Beach, Cygnet Walk Grade: Easy | Time: 1 Hour Distance: 2km | Parks Pass Not Needed

  • Snowy South
    View west from Snowy South summit, Huon Valley. Rocks in foreground and vast expanse of mountain ranges in the distance

    Snowy South, Huon Valley Walk Grade: Very Hard | Time: 7 Hours Distance: 12km | Parks Pass Not Needed

  • Adamsons Falls

    Adamsons Falls, Dover Walk Grade: Easy | Time: 2 Hours Distance: 6km | Parks Pass Needed

©2025 TasTrails.com | Follow us:

This website is intended as a guide only. See Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.