Douglas-Apsley National Park

The East Coast


Four kilometres north of Bicheno is the turn-off to Douglas-Apsley, an impressive park, with rocky peaks, eucalypt forest, waterfalls, abundant bird and animal life and a river gorge with deep swimming holes – and best of all, none of the midsummer hordes that swarm over Freycinet. Walk to the swimming hole at Apsley Gorge (two to three hours return) or to the Apsley River Waterhole (15 minutes return). There's basic, walk-in bush camping here, too (free, but national park fees apply).

This stretch of intact dry eucalypt forest is typical of the environment that blanketed much of the east coast before European settlement. The area was declared a national park in 1989 after a public campaign against the woodchipping of local forests.

Access to the park is on gravel roads. From the south, turn west off the highway 4km north of Bicheno and follow the signposted road for 7km to the car park. At the time of writing, road access to the northern end of the park was restricted due to dangerous road conditions on the forestry E-road; until things improve it's a 3km walk in from Piccaninny Creek. Note that open fires are banned in the park from October to April; cook on a fuel stove instead.

At the park’s northern end is the walk to Heritage & Leeaberra Falls, which takes five to seven hours return (plus the walk in along the E-road). There’s camping near the falls. For experienced bushwalkers, the major walk is the three-day Leeaberra Track. The walk must be done from north to south to prevent the spread of the Phytophthora plant disease present in the south. There's not much adequate drinking water on this walk – carry your own. Note that water from the Apsley River should be boiled for three minutes before you can safely drink it.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The East Coast attractions

1. Natureworld

3.94 MILES

About 7km north of Bicheno, this wildlife park is overrun with native and non-native wildlife, including Tasmanian devils, wallabies, quolls, snakes,…

2. Redbill Beach

5.02 MILES

How white do you like your sand, and how clear your water? Redefine your definition of both at Bicheno’s long surf beach.

3. Diamond Island

5.15 MILES

Off the northern end of Redbill Beach is this photogenic granite outcrop, connected to the mainland via a short, semi-submerged, sandy isthmus – at low…

4. Waubs Beach

5.74 MILES

A fairly safe ocean beach for swimming on calm days.

5. Waubedebar's Grave

5.86 MILES

The final resting place of Waubedebar, the local Aboriginal woman who fished a couple of hapless sailors from the surf in the early 1800s. Waubs Beach, in…

6. Bicheno Motorcycle Museum

5.88 MILES

Andrew Quin got his first Honda at age four, and has been hooked on motorbikes ever since. You don’t have to know your Benellis from your Bultacos to…

7. Whalers Hill

6.05 MILES

Scramble up to this lofty lookout, looking north along the coast, and scan the horizon for whales: 'Thar she blows!'

8. Blowhole

6.18 MILES

One of those rare blowholes that still plies its trade, even on fairly benign days, with geysers of white water surging up through a crack in the coastal…

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