Zig Zag Track (Hobart) and Glenorchy MTB Park closed for restoration until mid-2023
Park facilities
Always open*, no entry fees
There is no visitor centre or ranger station located in Wellington Park. A number of sites have basic visitor facilities, as outlined below.
* The Park is closed when Extreme Fire Danger is declared by the Tasmanian Fire Service in either the Upper Derwent Valley or South East Forecast Districts.
A small cafe, Lost Freight, operates out of a shipping container at The Springs. The cafe is open year-round, but hours may vary.
There are gas-fired BBQs at The Springs, the Chalet and Fern Tree but pack your lunch if visiting other parts of the Park. It is an offence to light a fire in Wellington Park, except in a designated fireplace inside a hut. Fireplaces must not be used during the Fire Permit Period. 2022-23 Fire Permit Period commenced 20 Dec 2022. Fuel stoves may be used.
Hobart council may sometimes provide firewood in the hut at The Springs, the Chalet and Junction Cabin, but to be certain, bring your own. Collecting firewood in the Park is not permitted. Interior fireplaces can also be found inside St Crispins Well Hut, Luckmans Hut, the stone hut at the Pinnacle, Lone Cabin and Rock Cabin, although no firewood is provided.
Fires must not be lit on Total Fire Ban days, including in designated fireplaces inside huts. Fuel stoves that run on butane/propane may be used in areas already at least 1m clear of flammable material.
No overnight parking, including campervans, in Wellington Park. The only overnight camping permitted is rough bush camping in the Natural Zone (map available in Downloads).
Toilets are available at Fern Tree Park, the Springs, the Pinnacle and Myrtle Forest.
Disabled access and toilet facilities are available at the Pinnacle and The Springs. Access is also available at Myrtle Forest (for visitors with special access needs, please contact the PWS Southern Region Office 6165 4053). Assisted access is required at Fern Tree Park and Fern Tree Bower. The Waterworks Reserve and Tolosa Park (on the fringe of Wellington Park) offer some disabled facilities.
Water is usually available at Fern Tree Park, The Springs, Myrtle Forest and the Chalet, however it is not tested and is not recommended for drinking.
Fern Tree Park
A lush and sheltered grassy area, complete with toilets, playground, picnic areas and gas-fired BBQs. Fern Tree Park is one of the main entry points into Wellington Park.
Fern Tree Bower
An historic picnic area surrounded by ancient tree ferns and mountain rivulets, and a short walk from the beautiful Silver Falls. Access on foot from Fern Tree Park, a level walk along the historic Pipeline Track, or closer parking may be found at Clegg Road, approximately 500m past Stephensons Place.
The Springs
A mid-altitude (720m) and level picnic area, with links to key walking tracks on the eastern foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington. The Springs is sheltered from the roaring south westerly winds experienced at the Pinnacle, and has several low key formal and informal picnic areas. The small Lost Freight cafe operates at The Springs.
The Chalet
A shelter amongst the snow gums and waratahs, the open fire of the Chalet often provides respite from the rain and cold. The Chalet is accessed from Pinnacle Road, approximately 3km beyond The Springs. Basic facilities are provided including picnic tables and benches and a new gas BBQ.
The Pinnacle
At the summit of kunanyi / Mount Wellington (1270m), the Pinnacle has great views and extremes of weather! Lookouts and observation decks provide vistas over Hobart and towards the east coast, and to the west over the World Heritage Area of southern Tasmania. Parking and toilet facilities are available.
- The Pinnacle observation shelter and toilets are open to the public 1 September to 30 April from 7am – 10pm, and from 1 May to 31 August from 7am – 5:30pm. The open air lookouts at the summit can be accessed at any time.
- The remote control of the locking system in some vehicles is affected at the summit by the FM radio and television transmission signals from nearby towers. The transmissions do not pose a danger to humans or animals, but it can be annoying if you can't start your vehicle!
Myrtle Forest
The Myrtle Forest picnic area is a hidden gem amongst the ferns and myrtles of Collinsvale, and is the starting point for day walks to Collins Cap and ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The picnic area is a short walk from the car park, and provides low key day use facilities, including toilets. Vehicle access to the picnic shelter for visitors with special needs can be arranged by contacting the PWS on 6165 4053.
Waterworks Reserve
The Waterworks Reserve is linked to Wellington Park via the Pipeline Track, a beautiful graded track that encompasses many remnants from Hobart’s historic water supply system. The Reserve contains all picnic and recreation facilities, and has great shelters and picnic areas. Sites can be reserved through Hobart council on 6238 2886.
Tolosa Park
Tolosa Park is the main entry point to Wellington Park in the Glenorchy area, and is also the entry point to the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park. Tolosa Park has many BBQ sites and full picnic facilities set among the natural surrounds of the water supply reservoirs and play areas for children. Sites can be reserved through the Glenorchy City Council on 6216 6800.
