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Tamar Island boardwalk, tall golden grass, Tamar Island Wetlands Centre.
Tamar Island boardwalk, (photograph: Natalie Mendham)
60 Great Short Walks

Tamar Island

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Access friendly
  • Barbecues
  • Park ranger
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Toilets
  • Visitor centre

Related PagesExpand/Collapse

    ContactExpand/Collapse

    • Tamar Island Wetlands Centre
      West Tamar Highway, Riverside TAS 7250
      Postal: PO Box 46, Kings Meadows Tas 7249TAS
      Phone: 03 6327 3964

      ​Wetland Centre open Wednesday to Sunday
      9.30am to 4.30pm 1 November to 31 March 
      10am to 4pm 1 April to 31 October

    1.5 hours return, 4km return
    Grade 1: No bushwalking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them.
    Supervise children. Tidal waters. No skateboards, roller blades or bikes.

    About

    ​An access friendly boardwalk—suitable for strollers and wheelchairs—allows for a comfortable one and a half hour return trip to the 7 hectare Tamar Island. 

    From the visitor centre, you can take a short side track to the bird hide on the way. There you can quietly observe many different birds on the lagoon.​It’s worth bringing binoculars and a camera. Back track to the main boardwalk to continue on to Tamar Island. 

    The boardwalk takes you right through the wetland. On either side you’re likely to see numerous different species of water birds. In the shallows look for remains of dredging machinery— once used to improve navigation for ships.

    Static map image of the Tamar Island short walk at the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre.

      Buy a map from TasMap
      ​​

      ​​​The Tamar Island Wetlands interpretation centre and the boardwalk leading to Tamar Island are a 10 minute drive from Launceston on the A7 West Tamar Highway, just north of Riverside.


      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 Tamar Island Wetlands Information Centre will operate with reduced hours from June 15 until further notice. 

      For up to date centre opening hours it is recommended to contact PWS on 6777 2179 or 6327 3964 prior to your visit, as to avoid any disappointment if closed.

      The boardwalk to Tamar Island is open all year round from sunrise to sunset.

      Entry is by donation.

      Wildcare volunteers contribute to the Wetlands Centre providing visitor services.


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

      Walker safety - day walks​

      ​Even for a short walk on a fine day, carry a light pack with a weatherproof jacket, warm hat, water (1 litre per person for every 3 hours of walking), some high energy food and a first aid kit that includes an emergency space blanket. At the same time, be prepared for bright sunshine—carry a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Insect repellent can also make your walk more comfortable and be sure to take a rubbish bag and carry your rubbish out with you.

      If your mobile phone has a signal t​​ake it with you. Limit use of your phone to conserve the battery. If your short walk takes you into very remote areas it would be wise to pack extra food and an emergency shelter or tent.

      For full safety information please refer to Safety in parks.

      ​​​​​​​The visitor centre at the entrance is fully accessible, as are its toilets. The wide, wheelchair accessible, boardwalked track starts from the visitor centre and extends across the wetlands to Tamar Island. At 1.5 km each way, it may be too long for some people, but it is worth doing a partial section. There are picnic tables and sheltered barbeques on the island, as well as accessible toilets, although wheelchair users may require assistance with the natural tracks on the island.