You’ll Love The Stunning Waterhole and Gorge at Douglas Apsley National Park on Tasmania’s East Coast
I was on a bit of a mission to prove that hiking can be fun with kids and I proved it at the Douglas Apsley National Park in Tasmania! Located on Tasmania’s East Coast, the Douglas Apsley National Park has a fun walk in the Apsley River Waterhole & Gorge Walk. However, if you’re not up for the hike, the beautiful waterhole is only a ten-minute stroll from the carpark and many families choose to lob here for a morning or arvo.
The Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge in the Douglas Apsley National Park was one of my favourite places in Tasmania. The scenery was beautiful, the hike was achievable with kids and there was plenty of outdoor fun.
At the ages of two and four years, the kids couldn’t walk the whole way and we didn’t expect them to. However, Mr Four did the steepest parts all by himself (with dad hovering right behind) and a fair chunk of the easier sections before hopping in the carrier.
Miss Two even gave the hard sections a good crack before her legs got too tired. We were both so proud of their efforts!
What to Expect at Douglas Apsley National Park
Let’s start with the walk down to the Apsley River waterhole and scroll down a bit further for information on the Gorge Walk, camping and the Leeaberra Track.
Apsley River Waterhole Loop Track
The Douglas Apsley National Park Loop Track is a short 10 minutes walk that leads to the very picturesque Apsley waterhole. It’s only around 1.2 km return (600 metres one way) and there are no steep sections. You will need to make your way to the southern access point of the National Park on Rosedale Road to do this track.
Once you have had a play at the waterhole, just return the exact same way you walked in.
Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge Walk
The Apsley River Waterhole and Gorge Walk at Douglas Apsley National Park is nearly 6km return (2.8km one way), taking around 2 – 3 hours. My phone tracked this walk as 7.17km so it’s possible that the 6km may start from the Apsley River Waterhole mentioned above … or my phone tracker could be wrong.
The walk sets out on an easy ten-minute path down to the Apsley River waterhole. This spot is extremely picturesque and ideal for a quick dip to cool down upon return. I say quick because the water is freezing cold. You could easily spend half a day here just lounging around in the Summer months.
After crossing the waterhole by picking over the rocks, the walk is dry as you head away from the river into an open forest. The initial ascent is made somewhat easier by a series of carefully placed rocks and once you are at the top, the hardest part is over.
The walk is fairly flat for a while before descending very gradually as you head back towards the Apsley River. There is a steep descent down into the gorge which is again, made easier by the rocks. I wouldn’t let young kids do this section by themselves as there’s a big drop off if they fall.
Chilling out at the gorge before heading back is mandatory. The gorge is magnificent with high dolerite cliff walls and huge boulders to lounge around on. There are waterholes and waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. As you sit on your chosen boulder taking in the picturesque surroundings, you really feel that you have found a little piece of untouched paradise in Douglas Apsley National Park.
When it’s time to head back …
When it’s time to head back, you can either return the way you came like we did; or you can boulder hop and scramble along the sides of the partially dry river bed until you reach the Apsley River Waterhole that you crossed at the beginning of the walk. Tackling it this way is challenging and probably only suited to active teenagers if you are visiting with kids.
There is no clear path if you choose to return this way and it will add hours to your hike. There is a good chance of needing to retrace your steps and cross to the opposite bank if you come across an impassable section. You shouldn’t attempt this after or during rain as it could get dangerous!
The Leeaberra Track
The Leeaberra Track is a 28km multi-day hike over three days and as a result, is for experienced hikers only. The starting point for this track is in the northern section of Douglas Apsley National Park at Thompsons Marshes. Thompsons Marshes can only be reached by high clearance 4WD using the Forestry ‘E’ Road 24km north of Bicheno or by foot.
This walk offers stunning views and beautiful waterfalls. More information on the Leeaberra Track can be found on the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife website.
Camping at Douglas Apsley National Park
There is a small yet free bush camping area near the Apsley Waterhole around ten minutes from the carpark off Rosedale Road in the south of the park. Composting toilets are available nearby but campers will need to bring their own food, water, tent and a fuel stove.
For those tackling the Leeaberra tracks that begin in the north of the park, there are free remote bush campsites on the Douglas River near Tevelain Falls and Heritage Falls.
Find more information on camping at Douglas Apsley National Park on the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Website.
Getting to Douglas Apsley National Park
The Douglas Apsley National Park is located on the East Coast of Tasmania. Drive along the Tasman Highway and around 4km north of Bicheno, turn into Rosedale Road. Drive another 7km on a mostly unsealed road to the carpark.
You can easily get through here in a standard 2WD vehicle although the road is apparently subject to flooding.
Where to Stay to Enjoy the Douglas Apsley National Park
If the camping options mentioned above are not for you, the small town of Bicheno nearby has some beautiful beaches and a few great attractions.
National Park Fees … A National Park entrance fee is required to visit the Douglas Apsley National Park. You can buy a single day pass or if you are exploring more of Tasmania, an 8 weeks pass which gets a whole family into all of Tasmania’s National Parks is better value for money. Passes can be purchased online here.
Pssst – If you’re visiting Tasmania with kids, make sure to pay a visit to Tasmazia!
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Tassie with kids, browse our Tasmania page. Alternatively, head back to the home page for inspiration on destinations and activities in Australia and worldwide.
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Planning and booking your holiday to Tasmania
National Parks Pass:
A National Park entrance fee is required to visit most parks in Tasmania. You can buy a single-day pass or if you are exploring more of Tassie, an eight-week pass that gets a whole family into all of Tasmania’s National Parks is better value for money. Passes can be purchased here.
More information:
Check out the official Tourism Tasmania page for more information on great places to visit in Tasmania.
Getting to Tasmania:
Search on Trip.com for the best deals to Tasmania. Flights are available from most capital cities into either Hobart or Launceston.
Alternatively, you can also come across by boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. If you choose to come across by boat, you can bring your own vehicle.
Accommodation in Tasmania:
Accommodation in Tasmania is varied and there are options from budget to luxury. Find a great deal here.
Getting around Tasmania:
Compare rental car prices here.
