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An old hut can be seen in the distacne surrounded by a mercy river
Adamsfield Conservation Area (photograph: Hayley Rayner)
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Adamsfield Conservation Area

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • 4WD tracks
  • Camping
  • Cycling tracks
  • Fuel stove only
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • World Heritage Area

ContactExpand/Collapse

About

​​​​Located in Tasmania’s remote south-west, Adamsfield was once a thriving mining community with a population of over 1 000 people. They mined for osmiridium, a naturally occurring alloy that was used in the manufacturing, dental and medical industries. Much later, this corrosive-resistant​ alloy was used in electronics.

The last production recorded from Adamsfield was in 1968. Since this time the abandoned mining tools and relics of past exploration are slowly being reclaimed by the bush. Little evidence of the bustling township remains, but worker’s huts, a labo​riously cut water race and the open cut mine still tell the story of the hard working lives of Adamsfield miners. 

Today, Adamsfield is a remote destination for bushwalking, mountain biking and 4WD enthusiasts. The Adamsfield Conservation Area is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).​​

​​​​Visitors to Adamsfield Historic Site can take their time walking along the Adamsfield Track and exploring the remaining examples of life in the remote mining settlement.  Along the track you will encounter: a number of miner's huts; infrastructure including water races and dams; the township site and the open cut mine.

Tracks in the area are suitable for walks, mountain biking and 4 wheel driving, though some tracks will require vehicles to have good clearance. Vehicles require a permit and a key, see the section below 'Know before you go'.

There is a campsite located approximately 200m past Clarks Hut. To access the campsite visitors will need to cross the Adams River. The area includes sheltered picnic and a firepit - please check whether fire restrictions​ apply before using the firepit. Visitors will need to remove their own rubbish. 

Please Leave no trace of your visit to this remote piece of Tasmania's mining history.

Adamsfield’s history is brief, after the discovery of osmiridium in 1925 the abandonment of the once flourishing mining community came less than 30 years later.

Despite the remote location and difficulty in accessing the area, the excitement around the initial discovery saw over 1 000 mining licences issued that year. At the time, osmiridium had a value of around £30 per ounce – about seven times the value of gold.

Initially mining involved highly labour intensive individual workings. By the late 1930s this became more capital intensive with shafts, tunnels, water races and substantial amounts of equipment. After the start of World War II few people lived in the town. Open cut mining was conducted for a short period in the 1960s. The last recorded production from the field was 12 ounces in 1968. Of the 31 100 ounces of osmiridium produced in Tasmania, half came from Adamsfield.

Access to Adamsfield was via pack tracks through the Florentine Valley. It was a difficult journey due to the country traversed and the weather conditions. Huts along the way acted as resupply points for both the hopeful miners and the packers who kept the settlement supplied with stores.

Sadly in 2019 when bush fires ravaged the area, the heritage-listed Churchills Hut was destroyed. The hut was built by a well-known Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine) trapper, Elias Churchill. Despite pumps and sprinkler systems being installed by PWS fire crew and rangers, the hut did not survive the fire.

Buy a map from TasMap

Although remote, the historic settlement can be visited by foot from Clear Hill Road or by 4WD along the Adamsfield Track.  

If you are travelling in a 2WD vehicle you will need to access Adamsfield via the Clear Hill Road. This leaves the Gordon River Road about 3.5 kilometres west of the Scotts Peak Road turnoff. After approximately 17.7 kilometres the junction with the Adamsfield Track (Morley Track) is reached. There is a locked barrier at the start of this track and it is reccomended that only 4WD vehicles continue past this point.

If you walk along the Adamsfield track for approximately 4km you will reach the township site. Allow about two hours for the return walk plus time to explore the relics.

All vehicle based visitors including motor bikes require a permit and a key, for details see Know before you go.

If you have a 4WD vehicle you can reach Adamsfield via the Clear Hill Road and Adamsfield Track. There is a river crossing just past Clarks Hut on the Adamsfield Track, before the campsite is reached.​

An alternative 4WD access is provided by the Saw Back Track. People using this route must be experienced four-wheel drivers with high clearance vehicles and recovery equipment. This track is steep, rutted and is usually wet and slippery.  

The Saw Back Track leaves the Gordon River Road 1.5 kilometres west of the Scotts Peak Road turnoff. It is closed annually from June to October to prevent damage to the fragile mudstone soils. 

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 designated Fuel Stove Only area and campfires are only permittted in the designated area at the campsite.  To find out what fuel stoves are permitted see the Fuel Stove Only area webpage.

​​​Campfires are only permitted at designated campgrounds within designated fireplaces. Campfires are prohibited during seasonal fire restrictions. Never leave your campfire unattended - it is prohibited. For campfire safety and how to check whether any restrictions are in place see Campfires and fire restrictions.​

Always check local signage for campfire restrictions before lighting a campfire. Bring your own water and firewood.  It is best to have a fuel stove with you for cooking, as restrictions can change. 

For the safety of everyone - completely extinguish your campfire before you depart and ensure no hot coals remain.  Remember - Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again.​

Please take all rubbish away with you.

​​
Dogs are not permitted at Adamsfield.

Vehicles require a permit  

All vehicle based visitors to Adamsfield, including those travelling by motorbike or four-wheel bike, require a permit and a key. There are gates on both the Saw Back and Adamsfield tracks which are permanently locked. ​You can obtain keys and permits by contacting the Moun​t Field National Park Visitor Centre. A $300 refundable deposit is charged for the key. The maximum number of vehicles in each group is twelve. To ensure access it is recommended that you book in advance.

If you are travelling in a 2WD vehicle you will need to access Adamsfield via the Clear Hill Road. This leaves the Gordon River Road about 3.5 kilometres west of the Scotts Peak Road turnoff. After approximately 17.7 kilometres the junction with the Adamsfield Track is reached. 

All vehicles must be free of mud before entering Adamsfield Conservation Area to prevent the spread of weeds and fungal diseases.  Vehicles including motorbikes and four wheel bikes must be registered and stay on the formed tracks indicated on the map. Mountain bike riders should be aware that a full circuit taking in the Saw Back and Adamsfield tracks and the Clear Hill Road is a long  ride, which requires a full day. Riders should be well prepared especially for sudden changes in the weather.​

To apply for a permit, please fill in the ​Authority to visit Adamsfield and the Sawback Range Track​.​

​​​​​​​​​Always carry the map for the route you are taking. These can be purchased from ​​TasMap​.

Tracks can be closed, either temporarily or permanently, due to the potential introduction of plant diseases such as Phytophthora (root rot), damage to Aboriginal heritage sites, dangerous weather conditions, high fire danger or because the track is damaged and not safe to traverse. Contact the appropriate field centre or authority if you are unsure about a track.

Always start the trip with clean gear and a clean vehicle, including the undercarriage and wheel arches. This will help prevent the transfer of plant and animal disease and weeds on vehicles, footwear, tent pegs, and other equipment.

Drive through river crossings at designated points only.


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

​​Take care in the area around the open-cut mine. There are a number of old mine shafts in this area, some of which are water filled. These shafts can become unstable and there is a risk of them collapsing.​ There is no mobile phone coverage in the area. The conservation area may be closed at short notice on days of high fire danger.​​​​​