Things to do in Mt Wellington

Standing 1,271 meters above Mt Wellington / kunanyi is far more that just a landmark towering above the city of Hobart, Tasmania. A journey to the summit will provide travelers with stunning 360-degree views, but there is so much more to see than just a spectacular vista. Read the following for things to do in Mt Wellington, and make sure you check out our kunanyi / Mt Wellington self-drive tour!

11 Best Things to do at Mt Wellington

1. Drive To The Summit
2. Explore Walking Trails
3. Enjoy The Lookouts
4. Discover The Organ Pipes
5. Go Mountain Biking
6. Experience the Snow in Winter
7. Picnic Spots
8. The Springs
9. Stargazing at Night
10. Rock Climbing and Abseiling
11. Indigenous History

1. Drive To The Summit

A visit to Hobart is not complete without a drive to the summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. After 3 years of construction, Pinnacle Road was completed in 1937 and was built under a government employment scheme during the Great Depression. Snaking its way to the pinnacle of kunanyi / Mt Wellington, the road is windy and narrow in places. It is important to take your time and be considerate of cars coming in the opposite direction. From time to time there are areas to pull over and allow comfortable passing. It is also important for the driver to not be distracted by the view! Again, there are places where you can pull over and take in the scenery safely.

2. Explore Walking Trails

The mountain is littered with walking trails. You will find tracks ranging from the 10-minute Springs Lookout track to the 2 hour very popular Organ Pipes track, and for the more adventurous, the 7-hour Wellington Falls track. A great intermediate walk is the track to the Sphinx Rock. Like many tracks, the track leaves from The Springs which is about halfway up the mountain. On your travels, keep an eye out for wildlife often hidden amongst the trees as well as ever changing flora.

Click here for detailed information on Mt Wellington walking trails.

3. Enjoy The Lookouts

The top of the mountain of course provides a great outlook but there are also other spots worth checking out. Just beneath The Springs is Annie’s Lookout, small spot where you can pull the car over as you head towards the summit. Next is The Springs lookout. Park at The Springs and then there is a short 10-minute easy stroll to the look out point. You might also find some abseilers here too! Again, leaving from The Springs, you can take the 1 hour return walk to the Sphinx Rock lookout.

The pinnacle offers multiple viewing platforms as well as a purpose-built viewing shelter. If you are at the summit, do not forget to check out the view over the back of the mountain.

With most viewing spots facing east, the mountain is a great spot to see the sunrise. You will also likely miss the crowds early in the morning! From the pinnacle, you can also watch the sun as it sets over the back of the mountain, often creating spectacularly colourful skies.

4. Discover The Organ Pipes

The most visually striking feature of Mt Wellington / kunanyi is the Organ Pipes. Formed some twenty-five million years ago, the dolerite columns reach skyward and resemble…organ pipes! The organ pipes are particularly popular with rock climbers, walkers and even the occasional base jumper! (not something we condone!). Leaving from either The Springs or The Chalet, the Organ Pipe Walk passes directly beneath this unique natural feature.

5. Go Mountain Biking

Over the past 20 years, mountain biking in Tasmania has seen a huge boom, and it all began on kunanyi / Mt Wellington with the North South mountain bike track. Beginning at The Springs, the North South Track offers riders a diverse range of terrain as it passes through lush forests, rocky outcrops, and open vistas. The track can take a couple of hours to complete and finishes at the Mountain Bike Park in Glenorchy.

Another poplar ride is to ride the Pipeline Track. A fairly flat and well-maintained track, it follows the old pipeline that was once used for supplying water to Hobart.

If you are looking for guided rides, check out our friends at Tasmanian Mountain Bike Adventures who can provide you with guided or self-guided bike tours as well as bike hire.

6. Experience the Snow in Winter

During the colder months, kunanyi / Mt Wellington can be blanketed in snow, turning it into a winter wonderland. Truth be told, with Tasmania’s ever-changing weather, this can happen any time of year!

Whilst not set ups as a ski field, there is still plenty of fun to be had! Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or explore the snow-covered wilderness. You might even find some fields or closed roads where you can attempt some tobogganing.

If you love to take photos, at every turn there will be something to snap! Snow capped plants, ice droplets, and of course, exploding snowballs!

If you are visiting the snow, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• It will be cold! Gloves, beanies, jackets…take them all! Also consider waterproof pants if you have them and some waterproof shoes or boots. Snows like to make things wet!
• The Hobart City Council will close Pinnacle Road if it is deemed unsafe. There are numerous gates that can be opened and closed depending on the conditions. If you are looking to drive and there is snow, check the Council Website for any gate closures.

7. Picnic Spots

The most popular is The Springs. With a stone hut, picnic table, BBQ’s, toilets, parking, grassy areas, and the Lost Freight Café, it’s not hard to see why! It is convenient and well set up. But it is not the only spot! You might also consider stopping at The Chalet. Another stone hut with picnic table and a BBQ. Or if you are up for a walk you could venture to Junction Cabin by taking the North-South or Shoobridge/Lenah Valley tracks. The pinnacle itself is not usually a great picnic spot given the cold and prevailing winds.

8. The Springs

We have mentioned The Springs a few times already. There is more to The Springs than just being a convenient spot to stop. In the Late 1800’s and early 1900’s the mountain was littered with private huts and The Springs becoming a popular meeting spot. This led to the construction of a hotel at the Springs. The hotel was burnt to the ground in the 1967 Black Tuesday bushfires, but the area remains a popular meeting place.

Its popularity is also boosted due the North-South, Fingerpost, Lenah Valley, Pinnacle and Radford’s tracks being accessible from The Springs.

9. Stargazing at Night

Being high above the city, kunanyi / Mt Wellington is a great place for stargazing. Once the sun goes down behind the mountain and with clear skies, you will be able to spot numerous constellations, planets, and the Milky Way. The pinnacle provides the clearest view of the sky but areas with a little tree cover can also make for some great photos.

Do remember, that the mountain is usually at its coldest over night so make sure you wear warm clothing. Also, if you are exploring in the dark, take a torch and make sure you stick well formed paths.

10. Rock Climbing and Abseiling

kunanyi / Mt Wellington provides some of the best rock climbing and abseiling in Tasmania. Mostly via the magnificent Organ Pipes. The towering dolomite columns have something for all abilities. Read more and find a climbing guide here.

If you are looking for a guided climbing experience, check out Aardvark Adventures.

11. Indigenous History

For the Palawa people, Tasmania’s First Nations people, the mountain has been a place of significance for thousands of years. A provider of food and fresh water, the mountain provided sustenance for the local Mouheneener people and is also a sacred site that features in Dreaming stories.

The significance of the mountains to the First Nations People was officially recognised in 2013 when it was formally given dual name status of kunanyi / Mt Wellington.

When visiting kunanyi / Mt Wellington, it is important to remember, recognise and respect the connection it has with our First Nations People.

Conclusion

The mountain is truly a wonderous place to visit. Whether it is to explore various walks, experience some outdoor extreme adventure or just take in the spectacular view, it is a place not to be missed when visiting Hobart. Remember it is likely be cold so pack accordingly!

To get the most out of your trip to kunanyi / Mt Wellington, check out our self-drive tour.

FAQ’s

How much time do you need at Mt Wellington?

You can take a quick trip and just drive to the summit and back. This will take around 30 minutes each way from Hobart. If this is all the time you have it is still worth the trip, however we would recommend at least a couple of hours to enable you to do a bit of exploring.

What is at the top of Mount Wellington?

The pinnacle features a purpose-built indoor viewing room as well as numerous walkways to outdoor viewing platforms. There are also public toilets and a carpark. You will also see up close the broadcast tower that stands some 131 meters tall!

Is it worth going to Mount Wellington?

Yes! Absolutely! If for nothing else that the incredible view across Hobart towards the East Coast.

Is there an entry fee for Mount Wellington?

No! Access to the Mt Wellington park is completely free and there are many free things to do in Mt Wellington. The only thing you might need to pay for is a hot chocolate to warm at The Lost Freight Café at The Springs.