Douglas-Apsley National Park is in the eastern parts of Tasmania a few kilometres north of Bicheno.
Understand
History
Although the area is wild and difficult to access, from the mid-19th century onwards, it was criss-crossed by paths that were used to develop mineral resources. Coal has been mined for over 100 years. The different uses by farmers, trappers and mining probably prevented large-scale forest clearing, which is why a forest landscape with a unique diversity of plant and animal species could be preserved here.
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Several notable bird species are found in the national park, such as Tasmanian bungle fowl, the yellow bellied parakeet, the honeyeater species yellow-throated honeyeater, the black-headed honeyeater, the strong-billed honeyeater, yellow-lobed honeyeater, the stem hover (Acanthornis magna), the southern sea warbler species, the Tasman shrike and the flycatcher species Tasman's flycatcher.
Climate
Official tourism website
Get in
From Bicheno, head three kilometres north onto Tasman Highway and turn left onto Rosedale Road. Continue onto Rosedale Road until you've arrived at the park.
Fees and permits
To enter any national park in Tasmania, you'll need to have a valid parks pass to enter the park, which can be found here at the Parks Tasmania website. There are numerous passes available, depending on your needs. The fees are up-to-date as of February 2023.
A daily parks pass is usually valid for 24 hours, and is usable in all parks although it does not include access to Cradle Mountain. This is particularly useful if you're going to numerous nearby parks. A pass for your vehicle covers up to 8 occupants, you only need the per person pass if you arrive without a vehicle.
- Per vehicle: $41.20
- Per person: $20.60
If you're staying in Tasmania for a few weeks and want to go numerous national parks, there's the Holiday Pass, which is valid for up to two months. This also includes Cradle Mountain.
- Per vehicle: $82.40
- Per person (≥5): $41.20
There is also the Annual Park Pass, which is valid in all parks, including Cradle Mountain.
- $91.35 in general
- $73.10 for concession holders
- $36.55 for seniors
If you only plan to repeatedly visit one park again for 12 months, it's $46.70 in general, or $37.35 for concession holders. This excludes Cradle Mountain.
Passes can either be purchased through passes.parks.tas.gov.au, in any national park visitor centre, some travel information centres, onboard Spirit of Tasmania vessels, and Service Tasmania centres.
Get around
See
- 🌍 Apsley Waterhole. A nice scenic waterhole and the main highlight of the park.
- 🌍 Apsley Gorge, Apsley Gorge Track, Douglas-Apsley. Tasmania may not be well known for its gorges, but this gorge may give you reason to think otherwise.
Do
- Leeaberra Track – a 2.5 - 3 day track that takes 28 kilometres passing through some of the park's forests
- Loop Track – a 1.2km trail that takes you to Apsley Waterhole and back
Buy, eat and drink
None of that in the park. You'll need to bring everything with you.
Sleep
Lodging
There are no lodging sites in the park.
Camping
There are two campsites in the park. One at Apsley Waterhole and the other at Tevelein Falls. The first one has numerous facilities, while the latter has none. See the park website for more.