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Warm sunshine highlighting jagged rocks on a wild coastline. White foamy sea spray highlights the rocks piercing through the ocean
Seal Rocks 2000 x 1499

Seal Rocks State Reserve

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About

​​​Seal Rocks State Reserve is located in the south-west corner of King Island. This reserve features the island’s tallest cliffs, rising from the exposed coastline as well as a 7000-year-old calcified forest. Distinctive coastal scrub and heathland are scattered throughout the landscape, reflecting the area’s natural character and remote setting.​

​​​​​Walk the easy 80m from the carpark to the Seal Rocks Lookout where you can marvel at the cliffs rising 60m from the Southern Ocean. Observe the roaring forties as they roll in, breaking against the rugged coastline below. Here, thousands of kilometres of ocean separates King Island from South America – the closest landmass to the west.

For a longer walk follow the signs to the Clifftop-Copperhead Walk. This 3.5km (1.5 hours return) walk follows the spectacular cliffs of Seal Rocks. The minimal impact walk allows you to choose your own path. Please use the track markers as a guide and ensure appropriate footwear is worn. Take care as this remote walk follows steep cliffs. Children should be supervised.

One of the famous 60 Great Short Walks of Tasmania is located in this reserve - the Calcified Forest Walk​. This short 1.3km return walk provides viewers a glimpse into the fascinating calcified root systems of an ancient forest. 

The Caves Creek Track starts at the Calcified Forest carpark. This g​rade 4 walk takes approximately 2 hours return.  The track winds through arching Tea Tree Leptospermum spp. and coastal scrub, passing by short-tailed shearwater rookeries before ascending to the Seal Rocks Lookout carpark. 

Buy a map from TasMap

King Island can be accessed by plane from some​​ Tasmania airports and Melbourne. 

From the main island town of Currie, take B25 Grassy Road until you get to Nugara. Take South Road for approximately 22km, then turn right into Seal Rocks Road. 

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.

​​Telstra is the only mobile provider that works on King Island.

More information

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

Walker safety - day walks​

Wherever you plan to walk in Tasmania, plan for the possibility of poor weather and unexpected situations. Conditions in Tasmania can change at any time of year.

Choose a walk that matches your group’s fitness and experience. The track classification guide explains walk difficulty ratings and can help you choose a suitable track.

Grade 4 and 5 walks can be especially challenging and may include steep climbs, rocky ground, mud, cliffs, or require navigation skills.

For all walks, check the weather forecast before you go, take a map, and let someone know your plans. If you are walking in remote areas or conditions are uncertain, carry extra food, and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Consider taking an emergency shelter or tent. Learn about the dangers of cold by watching the hypothermia safety video.

More information on planning, including recommended gear lists, is available on our Safety In Parks page. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles).

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Experiences in Seal Rocks State Reserve

30 minute return, 1.3km, Grade 2

Unusual, fascinating and mysterious is how the limestone features that make up the Calcified Forest are often described. This walk is a must for all visitors to King Island.

Seal Rocks State Reserve

Calcified Forest

Unusual, fascinating and mysterious is how the limestone features that make up the Calcified Forest are often described. This walk is a must for all visitors to King Island.

30 minute return, 1.3km, Grade 2
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