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Two walkers with binoculars are resting on the edge of the Duckhole Lake
Walkers resting at Duckhole Lake (photograph: Joe Shemesh)
60 Great Short Walks

Duckhole Lake

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Alerts for Duckhole Lake

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Closed area: Section of Creekton road to Duckhole Lake Track
Applies from 28/7/2026

​​From Tuesday 28 of July 2026 sections of Creekton Road will be closed for maintenace. 

As this road provides the main access to the Duck Hole Lake Track, visitors will need to use the detour via Hastings Road and Tughanah Road to access Duck Hole Lake.

For more information, please email Huonville@parks.tas.gov.au or phone the Huonville Field centre on: 03 6121 7026​​​

Last reviewed 23/7/2026 01:19 PM

Planned burn: Red Point Hills - Southwest National Park
Applies from 12/9/2026

​​​Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Red Point Hills - Southwest National Park on 12 September 2026. This is part of the state-wide Fuel Reduction Program.

The total area of the burn is approximately 1000 hectares. It ​is likely to take 2 - 4 days to complete. Smoke may last for some days after the burn.

During burning operations access to this area will be restricted. Stay well out of the burn site. Please follow directions from staff or any signs.

More information is available by contacting PWs South on 6165 4053. 

View our webpage ​more information about our planned burn program.​​​

Last reviewed 10/9/2026 04:36 PM

Planned burn: Lake Pedder - Southwest National Park
Applies from 12/9/2026

Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Lake Pedder - Southwest National Park in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) on 12 September 2026.

Fire is an important part of sustaining the ecology of and protecting values in the TWWHA. 

The total area of the burns is approximately 4391 hectares. It is likely to take 2 - 4 days to complete. Smoke may last for some days after the burn.

During burning operations access to this area will be restricted. Stay well out of the burn site. Please follow directions from staff or any signs.

More information is available by contacting PWS South on 6165 4053.​

View our webpage ​for more information about our planned burns program.​

Last reviewed 10/9/2026 12:14 PM

Planned burn: Ray Range - Southwest National Park
Applies from 12/9/2026

​​Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Ray Range - Southwest National Park in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) on 12 September 2026.

Fire is an important part of sustaining the ecology of and protecting values in the TWWHA. 

The total area of the burns is approximately 6622 hectares. It is likely to take 2 - 4 days to complete. Smoke may last for some days after the burn.

During burning operations access to this area will be restricted. Stay well out of the burn site. Please follow directions from staff or any signs.

More information is available by contacting PWS South on 6165 4053.​​

View our webpage ​for more information about our planned burns program.

Last reviewed 10/9/2026 02:14 PM

Planned burn: Erskine Range - Southwest National Park
Applies from 12/9/2026

​​Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Erskine Range​ - Southwest National Park in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) on 12 September 2026.

​Fire is an important part of sustaining the ecology of and protecting values in the TWWHA. 

The total area of the burns is approximately 5915 hectares. It is likely to take 2 -4 days to complete. Smoke may last for some days after the burn.

During burning operations access to this area will be restricted. Stay well out of the burn site. Please follow directions from staff or any signs.

More information is available by contacting PWS South on 6165 4053.​

View our webpage ​for more information about our planned burns program.​​

Last reviewed 10/9/2026 02:15 PM

Closed area: Changes to Access West Picton Road and Huon Track - Eastern Arthur Range Traverse - Southwest National Park
Applies from 1/9/2026

​​West Picton Road is closed at Cook Creek due to the deterioration of three structures along the road. Alternative vehicle parking ​has been created next to the road closure. The Eastern Arthur Range Traverse requires an extra 6.1km (one-way) walk along West Picton Road from the closure to the former trailhead at Farmhouse Creek.

​West Picton Road Spur 1 has also been closed at Cook Creek. A 3-4 vehicle parking area has been created next to the road closure. ​The Mount Picton Track requires an extra 1.5km (return) walk along West Picton Road Spur 1 from the closure to the former trailhead.

The Huon Track has been heavily impacted by a large number of fallen trees, making the track extremely difficult to follow. We recommend that walkers access the northern end of the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse via Huon Campground and the Arthur Plains. ​

Both the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse and Mount Picton walking tracks are open.​

Last reviewed 1/9/2026 04:06 PM

Closed area: Edgar Dam boat ramp and campground - Southwest National Park
Applies from 28/1/2025

​​​​​Hydro Tasmania is commencing works on Edgar Dam starting 28 January 2025 until late-2026. 

During this time, the Edgar Dam boat ramp and campground will be closed. 

Access to Strathgordon and Scott's Peak boat ramps remains open.

Camping at the Huon and Ted's Beach campground remain open. During this period, there will also be short delays due to increased traffic along Scott's Peak Road. ​

For more information, please visit the Hydro Tasmania​ w​ebsite ​or contact the Mount Field Visitor Centre on (03) 6288 1149.​​

Last reviewed 1/7/2026 10:43 AM

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Fuel stove only
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • World Heritage Area

Related PagesExpand/Collapse

    ContactExpand/Collapse

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

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

    Area closure. Full information in alert notice.
    1.5 hours return, 4.2km return
    Grade 2: Suitable for most ages. The track has a hardened or compacted surface that may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps.
    Please supervise children as there is water in the creeks and lake.
    A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.

    About

    ​​​​​​The feature of this short and easy there-and-back walk is the idyllic Duckhole Lake. The 4.2km track, most of which is boardwalk, follows a stream through regrowth forest to the lake. 

    Lying within the Southwest National Park the delightfully tranquil lake is actually a flooded sinkhole. It is part of the extensive regional cave and karst system that includes Hastings Caves. The lake is a peaceful place to sit and listen to the birds and frogs while you have a picnic. 

    The track follows a late 19th century sawmill tramway for much of the way, and remnants of the tramway can be seen.

    This walk is co-managed by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

    Static map of the Duckhole Lake walk route.
      Buy a map from TasMap

      Duckhole Lake is located south of Dover. From here, continue south on the Huon Highway (A6) for 7.5km to the township of Strathblane. Once you reach the Esperance River bridge continue for a further 2.9km, then turn right at the intersection on the Darcy Link. Keep left via Creekton Road for a total of 8km until you reach the carpark opposite the track head.

      An alternative access is via the Hastings Caves Road and Chestermans Road. This route is only accessible with a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle. It is narrow with steep side slopes and can be slippery at times.

      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.

      ​

      ​​​​This is a Fuel Stove Only Area. Fires are prohibited. Please see our Fuel Stove Only Areas webpage ​for more information.​​

      ​​Toilets, café, picnic and barbecue facilities and thermal swimming pool are located at Hastings Caves State Reserve approximately 7.5km from Duckhole Lake car park.

      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).