Introduction
Located only 10 minutes north of Launceston city centre, Tamar Island hosts an all-accessible 4km, 90-minute return walk through wetlands teeming with life. The mostly boardwalked trail traverses across mudflats flanked by tall native grasses and lagoons abundant in birdlife before reaching the picturesque Tamar Island overlooking kanamaluka/River Tamar.
The Tamar Island Wetlands Centre, located at the start of the walk, also provides walkers with information on this unique wetlands ecosystem’s rich cultural and natural values.
The Tamar Island walk is only accessible during daylight hours.
Getting There
View Google Map Directions |
From Launceston, head north-west on West Tamar Highway (A7) for 10km. At the roundabout, take the 4th exit and head back towards Launceston on the West Tamar Highway and continue for 2.3km. The carpark for Tamar Island is on the left-hand side of the highway. |
The Trail
Moments after leaving the carpark, The Tamar Island Wetlands Centre is the first point of interest reached. Here you can immerse yourself in the vast arrays of information available, talk to a knowledgeable ranger or enjoy the view across the wetlands from the observation deck.
Leaving the Centre, the flat boardwalk weaves its way through large beds of Phragmites australis-common rush grasses before a junction is reached. The left-hand fork leads to a bird hide nestled in a lovely paperbark Melaleuca ericifolia forest only a short distance away. Many water birds, including black swans, cormorants, teals, egrets, and superb fairy-wrens, can be viewed from the hide.
After returning to the junction, the boardwalk continues towards Tamar Island, traversing the lagoons and mudflats via footbridges. As you walk, you can’t help but be aware of how active the environment is. Birds, reptiles, and frogs are constantly seen or heard, darting through the thick rush grasses beside the path. Relics of dredging machinery are seen stuck in the lagoons as you near Tamar Island.
Once on Tamar Island, the path changes to gravel and becomes a short loop walk. Following the left-hand path, the trail passes through a pleasant meadow before the day-use barbeque area is reached. A short distance further, a wharf provides sweeping views up and down kanamaluka/River Tamar.
The trail climbs slightly through a grove of impressive European trees on the return section of the loop. Toilet facilities are also found in this area. Complete the loop and return to the carpark via the same route.
Trail Map
Map for illustrative purposes only. Base map supplied by Land Information System Tasmania
Photos
