Tassie’s Little Swan Point Walk is a Nature-Filled Stroll for the Whole Family

On a recent trip to lutruwita/Tasmania, Lisa and her family spent time by the Tamar River at Gravelly Beach in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. The Little Swan Point Walk was a highlight and is one of the more delightful, and considerably less hectic, hikes of the Apple Isle.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the palawa people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The Little Swan Point Walk is in northeast Tasmania, a short drive from Launceston. The walk is just over 7km and takes about two hours at a steady pace. Mostly flat and somewhat sandy, the terrain is easy to tackle. Dogs are also allowed on this track, as long as they’re kept under control at all times.

Read more: Wild Tamar: Your Guide to Adventure in Tasmania’s North

Little Swan Point Walk Tasmania Facts

Distance: 7.5km out and back
Duration: 2 hours
Nearest town: Launceston (27km)

About Little Swan Point Walk Tasmania

The kanamaluka/Tamar River is expansive at Gravelly Beach and low tides expose the estuary river flats to wading birds. It’s the longest estuary in Australia, stretching 70km. The Little Swan Point Walk attracts bird nerds and nature lovers, and it’s a popular destination for locals and visitors to the region.

Read more: How to Tell if You’re a Bird Nerd

Tamar Valley has gained a reputation for its wineries and people consider it one of the world’s top ten wine routes and a foodie’s paradise. Walks are plentiful and accommodation in the Tamar Valley ranges from luxury, self-contained cabins and Airbnbs to campsites and hostels.

Read more: Guide to a Weekend Escape in Wild Tamar

Little Swan Point History

Northeast Tasmania’s Tamar Valley and Little Swan Point were rich living areas for the palawa for over 200 generations. The kanamaluka/Tamar River was a source of large freshwater mussels and crayfish and short-fin eels. The palawa used mussel shells as implements.

In the 1800s, the area around Little Swan Point thrived as an apple-growing region, and the point was a popular destination for picnickers from Launceston. Paddlesteamers took holiday-makers on excursions to Paper Beach for swimming and sunbathing.

In the 1820s, the region was where bushranger Matthew Brady hung out. AKA Gentleman Brady, because he was excessively polite while robbing his victims. You can visit Bradys Lookout where he used to hide out when in the region.

Once the roads improved from Launceston, visitors flocked to the area to enjoy the serenity in holiday shacks built along the riverside. The area’s still very popular amongst local holidaymakers and visitors to Tasmania.

How to Get to Little Swan Point Walk

Gravelly Beach on the Tamar River is a 30-minute drive from Launceston via the Tamar Highway. The Transport Tasmania Bus and Manions Coaches commute between Launceston and Gravelly Beach on weekdays, but only as far as Exeter on weekends. Exeter is around 3km from the beginning of the walk.

Essential Gear for the Little Swan Point Walk

• Walking shoes (waterproof if you’re visiting after or during rain)
• Camera
• Drinking water
• Binoculars for birdwatching
• Rain jacket
• Warm clothes

Skill Level for the Little Swan Point Walk

Beginner

This is an easy walk, the track is flat with some sandy places.

Where to Stay Near the Little Swan Point Walk

Launceston is a thriving city with all the usual accommodation options. The historic city centre is a great place to book an Airbnb in one of Launceston’s beautiful heritage buildings.

Launceston Backpackers, Art House Hostel or the innovative Pod Inn, where you can book a state-of-the-art capsule, are available for those on a budget.

Tent camping isn’t an option at Gravelly Beach, but there are dedicated areas for parking self-contained motorhomes, vans or caravans overnight. Paper Beach Reserve also has facilities for vans at no cost.

For all camping and self-contained cabins Beauty Point Tourist Park which is 30 minutes in the other direction and closer to the ocean, is a great option.

What it’s Like to Walk Little Swan Point Walk

It was a crisp winter’s afternoon when we set forth on a 7.5km out-and-back walk to Paper Beach from Little Swan Point. Being cold, we’d prepared well with layers upon layers of warm clothing.

The beginning of the Little Swan Point walking path was 50m from the front door of our Airbnb in Gravelly Beach, so we were soon beside the Tamar River. The tide was well out, exposing muddy flats and reeds for days.

Read more: Tamar Island Walk

The narrow path meandered through native swamp paperbark Melaleuca and the occasional pine tree. We were never far from the water’s edge and soft pine leaves made the path whisper quiet and perfect for sneaking up on pademelons. As it turns out, not much sneaking was required, as they were curious about us.

A pademelon, not unlike a wallaby, is a small marsupial commonly found throughout Tasmania and parts of the mainland, as well as New Guinea. We saw our first one regarding us with coal-black eyes within 100m of the road. A stare-off ensued with us breaking eye contact first.

We could see glimpses of the low mudflats through the trees and the wading birds fossicking in the shallows. Shorebirds such as Hooded plovers, herons, and Black swans fed on the shiny surface, dipping their beaks into the mud for tasty morsels.

The Tamar estuary forms part of the migratory corridor known as the East Asian-Australian flyway, so birds are diverse and plentiful.

Pademelons appeared (or we appeared for the pademelons) every 100m, posing for pics before returning to grazing. Echidnas are a common sight all over Tasmania, but as it was nearing dark, we didn’t see any on this trip.

As we approached the small beaches covered in gravel and shells, the paths became crunchy underfoot and the Tamar was so wide in parts it looked like the ocean.

Paper Beach is around a point and the white sandy beach is popular with Tasmanians and visitors to the region. People come here to swim (in summer), walk their dogs, and gaze through binoculars at the local bird life.

Light was fading, so we snapped some pics and turned around. The little pademelons were a bit more active and flighty. Thoughts of a warm dinner and a glass of wine spurred us on to get back to our comfortable digs.

It’s possible to keep walking past Paper Beach for a longer hike. We all pledged to return and walk further next time!

Tips for Walking the Little Swan Point Trail

• The walk is easy and close to civilisation – holiday homes flank the shoreline
• Take your camera or carry binoculars for some cool nature viewing and shots
• In summer, watch out for snakes – tread heavily and give them space
• It’s Tasmania, so dress appropriately
• You can swim at the beaches – it’s best to wait for high tide
• Leave no trace

FAQS Little Swan Point Trail

When is the best time of year to visit the Little Swan Point Trail?

If you don’t like your nature walks freezing, then it’s best to avoid taking this walk in winter. Otherwise any time of the year is worth a visit (just be aware of snakes in summer!).

Is the Little Swan Point Trail open?

At the time of writing the Little Swan Point Trail was open.

Is the Little Swan Point Trail good for beginners?

This hike is perfect for beginners as it’s completely flat, with just a few sandy sections involved. This also makes it great for families and it’s a dog-friendly trail too, so no one needs to be left behind.

Is the Little Swan Point Trail free?

Yes absolutely! It doesn’t cost anything to walk the Little Swan Point Trail.