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A women is walking through the bush with a large pack on back. Leeaberra Track, Douglas-Apsley National Park
Leeaberra Track, Nicholls Needles, Douglas-Apsley National Park (photograph: Peter Grant)

Leeaberra Track

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Alerts for Leeaberra Track

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Safety alert: Temporary Weight Limit on Rosedale Rd
Applies from 5/8/2026

​Due to recent damage, the Saggy Creek Bridge on Rosedale Road (providing access to Apsley Waterhole and the southern end of the Leeaberra Track) currently has a 3t weight limit.

Council are in the process of getting the bridge repaired. 

Last reviewed 4/9/2026 01:28 PM

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Camping
  • Overnight walk
  • Parking
  • Swimming
  • Toilets

ContactExpand/Collapse

2.5 - 3 days one way, 28kms one way
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
The Douglas and Apsley Rivers are both subject to flooding after high rainfall. There are no bridges for safe crossing. Walkers should not attempt to cross the rivers when in flood. Wait or turn back. The track may be hard to find and overgrown in places. Signage can be limited. Walkers must have good navigation skills.
A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
​The starting point for the Leeaberra Track is Thompsons Marshes in the north of the park. Thompsons Marshes can only be reached on foot or via high clearance 4WD using the Forestry 'E' Road 24km north of Bicheno. ​

About

Experienced walkers can enjoy a spectacular but challenging multi-day walk through the deep gorges, dry sclerophyll forests, and rainforest areas of the Douglas-Apsley National Park. This walk is for walkers who have navigation skills and enjoy a challenge. 

Some sections of this track are well marked, but others are overgrown.

To avoid becoming lost when the track is hard to follow, make sure that you can see the next track marker before moving on. 

Please carry a physical copy of the recommended map and a compass when completing this walk. Two types of markers have been used to identify this track. Small orange triangles have been used for the main track and small yellow triangles for the side tracks. 

The walk can only be travelled from north to south. This limits the spread of Phytophthora cinnamoni. Walkers will need to organise a car shuffle. 

Use our Walk Notes​​ to determine if this is a suitable walk for you. 

Buy a map from TasMap

From Launceston, travel to St Marys via the A4 highway, then take the A3 and travel for about 16 km until the ‘E road’ is reached. Follow the privately owned, unmaintained ‘E road’ for 2 km to where the bridge is out. Unless you are driving a high clearance 4WD vehicle, you will need to continue along this road on foot, following the signs for a further 5.5 km to Thompsons Marshes carpark. 

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​​​​​​​​​​Douglas-Apsley National Park is mid-way up the east coast of Tasmania, about 2¼ hours from Launceston and slightly longer from Hobart. The Apsley Waterhole, at the southern end of the park, is reached by taking the Rosedale Road off the A3 Tasman Highway about 3km north of Bicheno. Thompsons Marshes, at the northern end of the park, can only be reached on foot or via high clearance 4WD using the Forestry ‘E’ Road 24km north of Bicheno.​​​​​

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

​The Leeaberra Track should only be walked north to south to stop the spread of the root rot fungus Phytophthora cinnam​oni, which has infested much of the track south of the Douglas River Crossing. Walkers should take two cars or arrange a lift back to their starting point as no buses travel to the area and the presence of Phytophthora prevents a return walk. 

​In dry weather there is no water available between Heritage Falls and the Douglas River Crossing (a full day’s walk with some steep sections). Water should always be carried for this section. 

For your safety please record your trip intentions in the log book (near Thompsons Marshes). 
​​

​​​​​The southern end of the park has a carpark, toilets and a sign-posted walk to the Apsley Waterhole and lookout.​

Other than a rough carpark, there are no facilities at the northern end of the park.

The Park is a F​uel Stove Only ​area between October 1 and April 30. 

​Please only use the established fire pits at the Apsley Waterhole campground.

Water can be obtained from the Apsley River but please boil before use.

More information

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know Before You Go web page.

​​​

​Remember the safe walking guidelines

  • ​Plan to walk safely
  • Be prepared
  • Avoid walking alone and let someone know your plans
  • Record your trip intentions in the log books 
  • Be prepared to turn back

Walker Safety Message - Multiday Walks Grades 4 and 5​​​​

Weather conditions in Tasmania can change quickly at any time of year. Snow, rain, strong wind, and sun are all possible, even outside alpine areas. Bushfires may occur between October and March.

Grade 4 and 5 walks are typically challenging. Tracks may include steep sections, rocky ground, deep mud, cliffs, and areas that require navigation or rock scrambling skills. Many tracks are remote, and help may not arrive quickly. People can get lost, injured, or affected by cold and bad weather. Deaths have occurred. See our track classification guide for an explanation of the difficulty grading of each walk.

Good preparation is essential. Use the track classification guide to help choose a walk that matches the skills, experience, and fitness of your group. Plan for the possibility of poor weather and unexpected situations. See our list of recommended items to take on multi-day walks on our Safety In Parks page.

Learn about the dangers of cold by watching the hypothermia safety video.

Follow all track signs and stay on formed tracks where they exist. This helps keep you safe and protects sensitive areas.

For more information on safety and equipment, see Safety in parks. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles)