Is Mt Murchison Tasmania’s Best Day Hike?

Deep in the wilderness of Tasmania’s takayna/Tarkine sits Mt Murchison, the highest peak in the West Coast Range and 5.5km hike to its summit, one of Tasmania’s most spectacular day walks.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Tommeginne 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.

Mt Murchison offers Explorers a taste of everything great about Tassie hikes, with mossy forests, twisted tree roots, rock scrambling, and breathtaking 360º views at the summit. My friends and I set off on a sunny autumn day to experience the beauty of Mt Murchison and its surroundings.

Read more: 26 Tasmania Day Hikes You Can’t Miss

Quick Overview

Mt Murchison is in the takayna/Tarkine region of Tasmania, a 2.5-hour (195km) drive from Launceston. The 11km return trip takes around 4-5 hours to complete and is rated as intermediate to advanced, depending on the weather conditions.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Mt Murchison Facts

Distance: 11km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Elevation gain: 683m
Nearest towns: Rosebery and Tullah

About Mt Murchison

The takayna/Tarkine is the last great area of unspoiled wilderness in Tasmania. It abounds with wild rivers, stunning coastlines, and rugged bushland. Towering above this ancient landscape is Mt Murchison. At 1287m, it’s the highest peak in the West Coast Range.

The 5.5km hike up Mt Murchison winds through mossy forests of myrtle and sassafras, where gnarled tree roots protrude from the earth, collecting puddles of rainwater. Droplets of dew rest on the leaves of ferns and glisten in the morning sun.

Emerging from the forest, you can see the clouds resting in the surrounding valleys. They rise throughout the morning and dissipate as the day warms. A rocky trail leads towards the summit, leaving the forest behind, and the views grow more spectacular with every step. The silvery sparkle of nearby tarns can be seen on the ascent, and soon the distant blue waters of Lake Mackintosh. From the summit, the horizon is littered with dozens of other peaks, and on a clear day, it stretches forever.

Mt Murchison History

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area around Mt Murchison was inhabited by the Tommeginne people. The population of the Tommeginne was thought to number around 400. They hunted kangaroos and pademelons, nourished by their meat and warmed by their hides. The encroachment upon Tommeginne land began on the coast with whalers and sealers. It was soon followed by farmers and miners, fossicking for gold and copper.

The first recorded ascent of Mt Murchison was surprisingly recent, in 1987, by Phil Robinson and Glen Kowalik, two of Tasmania’s trailblazing outdoor adventurers. In the decades since, the route has grown in accessibility and popularity, and as one of Tasmania’s famed Abels, it has become mandatory for peak baggers. In 1999, the Mt Murchison Regional Reserve was established to protect the wider area, a recognition of its environmental and tourism value.

How to Get to Mt Murchison

From Launceston, Mt Murchison is a 2.5-hour (195km) drive, passing through Deloraine, Sheffield, and Tullah. If you’re driving up and back in a day, watch out for animals on the road at dawn and dusk, and during winter, take care with rain, snow, and black ice.

Reaching Mt Murchison from Hobart is a 4.5 drive (310km) and not practical as a day trip, though it can be included as part of a multi-day trip passing through Queenstown. The starting point for the track is on Anthony Road (B28) and is well signposted.

Where to Stay Near Mt Murchison

The closest towns to Mt Murchison are Rosebery and Tullah, both equal distance from the track. As mining towns, they have only basic accommodation, while Tullah has sites for self-powered campervans.

An hour’s drive south is Queenstown, a more pleasant country town setting, while an hour west is Trial Harbour, where camping is possible. On the way back to Launceston, Sheffield and Deloraine are quaint towns with more day walks close by.

Skill Level

Intermediate – Advanced

At its easiest, when the weather is clear and the track is dry, Mt Murchison is ideal for intermediate hikers. The elevation gain is almost 700m, with some rocky sections near the summit; otherwise, it’s at the enjoyable end of challenging.

Read more: Hiking Safety & Prep Tips for Tassie’s Lesser-Known Hikes

However, the difficulty level for Mt Murchison increases as the conditions deteriorate. Only those with suitable gear and significant bushwalking experience should attempt the hike when it’s raining or snowing. The track can become slippery, visibility can drop, and navigation may be necessary. What’s more, you’ll spend all that energy for no views at the top.

Please note! Tasmania’s weather, particularly in the western regions, can change quickly and without warning. The takayna/Tarkine is one of the wettest parts of the state. Always be prepared for changes in weather, and bring sufficient food and water, a PLB, and a first aid kit.

@ella_garbett

Essential Gear for Mt Murchison

Tasmania’s weather can be treacherous, particularly in the western region, where it rains more days than not. It’s essential to be prepared for all weather conditions, even if the forecast is favourable.

• Waterproof jacket
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Camera and/or phone
• First aid kit
• PLB
• Sunscreen

What it’s Like to Climb Mt Murchison

It’s a crisp autumn morning in Launceston. Dawn breaks over the hilltops, and the rising sun brushes away the darkness of the night. Our breath is visible as we pack our bags in the car. We rub our hands together for warmth and then do one last check. Packs, food, water. Let’s go.

The drive from Launceston is 2.5 hours, and passes through the quaint country towns of Deloraine, where we stop for a coffee, and Sheffield, where views of Mt Roland are obscured by clouds. After crossing the tail end of the River Forth, we head south on Cradle Mountain Road and drive towards Tullah. Ten minutes out of town is the trailhead.

The Mt Murchison trailhead is nothing more than a roadside sign and a rocky path leading into dense bushland. It’s a humble beginning for what is one of the state’s grandest day walks. A mere 20m in and we are thrust into another world, ensconced among ancient flora.

The trunks of sassafras and celery pine are speckled with moss, and the leaves of ancient pandani burst with iridescent green. Underfoot, the ground is spongy and slippery, littered with fallen leaves and contorted tree roots. Fern leaves brush against us as we navigate the track. Rays of sunshine pierce the forest cover, and the last remaining dew drops glisten in the morning sun. The first kilometre is breathtaking in more ways than one, with an elevation gain of 250m.

Emerging from the forest, it’s time to take a breath, and we soak in the first of many sweeping views of takayna/Tarkine and beyond. Clouds are still resting in the surrounding valleys, rising and dissolving as the day warms. Standing at the forest’s edge, we catch our first glimpse of the summit, still a long way up. From here, the track is exposed, and in place of tree roots, the path is scattered with rocks.

Over the next few kilometres, the trail continues upwards, through head-high shrubs and detours along some rocky cliff edges. Pebbles tumble over the edge, kicked and flicked, and they disappear into the thick vegetation below. As the day clears, the views extend and we can see towards Mt Tyndall, Mt Owen, and Lake Plimsoll.

There are countless other peaks, endless, nameless. The cliffs that surround Mt Murchison date from the Jurassic period, and their exposed walls are carved with wavy patterns, sculpted by millions of years of rain, wind, and snow. There are also tarns, still and undisturbed, shimmering like quicksilver.

A scramble up a rock face, with the aid of a rope, is the last obstacle before the final push to the summit. As we emerge, winds sweep across the plateau, roaring and crackling. The path to the summit, traversing the Razors Edge, offers the most spectacular views of the walk.

Depressions in the mountain, known as glacial cirques, are home to tarns and carpeted in deciduous beech. The crater-like amphitheatres, with their jagged walls, are the perfect backdrop for a photo at the top. The summit itself is marked by a metal quadrapod, and we crowd underneath for a triumphant group photo, having completed one of Tasmania’s greatest day walks.

All there is to do now is turn around and walk back the way we came.

Tips For Hiking Mt Murchison

• The weather can change quickly and without warning. Bring wet weather gear, no matter when you visit Mt Murchison, and a windproof jacket for the summit
• There are sheltered sections near the summit, so bring lunch and soak in the views for as long as you can

FAQs Mt Murchison

How long does it take to hike Mount Murchison?

The hike to the Mount Murchison summit is around 5.5km and takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Where is Mount Murchison?

Mt Murchison is in the West Coast Ranges of Tassie, close to the towns of Rosebery and Tullah.

@ella_garbett

Summit More Mountain in Tassie

• Mt Anne – Summiting The Queen of Tasmania’s Southwest
• My Climb Up Mt Amos in Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park
• Best Hikes in Cradle Mountain in Tasmania
• Is the Cradle Mountain Summit Hike Tassie’s Most Adventurous One-Day Challenge?

Table of contents image by @ella_garbett