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Large green trees grow for the banks of the scenic Penrhyn Pond.
Penrhyn Pond, Peter Murrell Reserves (photograph: Craig Vertigan)

Peter Murrell Reserves

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Cycling tracks
  • Dogs on leads are permitted
  • Horse riding
  • Parking
  • Short walk

ContactExpand/Collapse

  • Huonville Office
    22 Main Street
    Office usually staffed 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday
    Huonville TAS 7109
    Phone: 03 6121 7026
    Email: Huonville@parks.tas.gov.au

    ​Visitor centre opening hours
    10am to 4pm Monday to Friday

About

Hobart's suburbs of Kingston, Tinderbox and Blackmans Bay enjoy a wonderful backyard bush playground known collectively as the Peter Murrell Reserves. The reserves conserve a range of forest, buttongrass and heathland communities, and comprise the Peter Murrell State Reserve, the Peter Murrell Conservation Area and a public reserve.

A variety of sandy terrain trails make the reserves a popular place to enjoy a tranquil stroll, take the dog for a walk or cruise around on a bike. Horse riding is also popular, with designated trails set aside for a relaxing ride.

These reserves, just south of Hobart, support a high diversity of plant species, including an impressive 37 orchid species - five of which are endemic to Tasmania. The landscape comes alive from late winter through to summer with bright and beautiful displays of wildflowers.

While exploring the trails, small creeks and ponds you will be in good company, as the reserves provide important habitat for a number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and bird species, including eastern barred bandicoots and the endangered forty-spotted pardalote.

A visit to the Peter Murrell Reserves can occupy an hour or a whole day depending on your reason for visiting: walking the dog, horse riding, mountain biking or strolling the walking tracks. Naturalists are encouraged to bring binoculars for bird watching.

A magnifying glass and a macro lens in the camera are essential to appreciate the native orchids and the beautiful wildflowers which make a dazzling display from late winter to summer.

The proximity of the reserves to the southern Tasmanian communities of Kingston, Blackmans Bay and Howden not only attracts 'regulars' among the many visitors but is an incentive for local residents to take pride in their bush haven.

The reserve was named after Peter Murrell, the first director of Parks and Wildlife when it was established in 1971, to manage reserves around the State. The Friends ​of Peter Murrell Reserve love to share information and photos of flora and fauna in their patch. The volunteers attend monthly working bees to remove weeds and to encourage establishment of native and endemic species.

Peter Murrell Reserve track map


The area supports 37 orchid species, five of which are Tasmanian endemics including the trim leek-orchid (Prasophyllum concinnum) and dark finger-orchid (Caladenia atrata).

The dominant vegetation of the reserves is black peppermint (Eucalyptus amygdalina) but there are also small areas of buttongrass, grassland, open heath, sedgeland and wetland.

The nationally vulnerable eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) is common especially near open grassy areas. The preferred habitat of the endangered forty-spotted p​ardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus) occurs along Coffee Creek where there are white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) for foraging. 

An endangered butterfly, the chaostola skipper (Antipodia chaostola) is found in the reserve as well as poto​roos, eastern bettongs, Bennett's wallabies and bats)

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.
Buy a map from TasMap

​The Reserves form a 'bush island' bounded by Burwood Drive, Brightwater Road, Howden Road, Algona Road and the Channel Highway.

The nature reserve can be accessed by a track on Burwood Drive and by a track on Brightwater Road south of Estuary Drive. 

​Access to the conservation area is from Scarborough Avenue and Lady Penrhyn Drive off Algona Road, and from Huntingfield Horse and Pony Club on Howden Road. 

White Gum Pond and Heron Pond are accessible by foot from the Coffee Creek Carpark. ​

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.



​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.

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