10 reasons why YOU SHOULD HIKE the SOUTH COAST TRACK
At the end of the 2021 summer, I finally tackled the South Coast Track in Tasmania, Australia—and those memories from that fantastic adventure still follow me everywhere today. I often daydream about doing the whole 85km journey again; it felt like such a monumental achievement that tested every part of me. I flew from Hobart into remote Melaleuca, then shared trail magic with the most amazing people all the way to Cockle Creek. After months of telling everyone why they must hike this track, I’ve finally compiled this complete list. Watch my after-movie below first, then discover the ten compelling reasons that make the South Coast Track an absolute must-do. Were you looking for my full trail review? Click here!
1. Your Adventure Begins With a Panoramic Flight.
Access to the remote South Coast Track demands (or rewards) a breathtaking scenic flight from or to Hobart, touching down on the handmade airstrip at Melaleuca—a genuine World Heritage Site once home to legendary tin miner Denny King. This isn’t just transportation; it’s a sky-high teaser floating above untouched coastline, button grass plains, and jagged peaks that ignite your imagination for what’s ahead. When your hike requires a small plane to even reach it, you know you’re embarking on something truly extraordinary.
2. It’s remote, but it’s peacefully remote.
Australia boasts countless remote hiking tracks, but many “wilderness” trails feel crowded despite their isolation. The South Coast Track delivers genuinely peaceful solitude unlike anywhere else. Far less trafficked than Tasmania’s famous Overland Track, the SCT lets you choose your level of seclusion—you can hike entirely solo through pristine emptiness, or easily connect with fellow adventurers at campsites. It’s remote on your terms, offering that perfect balance of solitude and camaraderie.
3. Scenery That Steals Your Breath at Every Turn.
Walking Tasmania’s wild southern coastline along this 85km masterpiece means encountering nature’s full dramatic range. Prepare to traverse windswept beaches with powdery white sand stretching endlessly, scramble over rugged hills and mountain ranges with panoramic vistas, cross vast button grass plains that feel otherworldly, weave through lush rainforest gullies along crystal rivers, then suddenly emerge onto remote, untouched beaches where you’re the only footprint. Every single moment delivers landscapes so spectacular you keep whispering to yourself, “This scenery is just fantastic.”
4. To drink Tasmania’s finest water.
Water sustains all life, yet we often take it for granted until multi-day hikes make every sip sacred. The South Coast Track reminds you of this truth daily, but Tasmania’s pristine wilderness delivers some of the world’s finest drinking water straight from remote creeks and rivers. So remote that treatment becomes optional (though boil or filter if you’re cautious), I drank directly from pristine sources along the trail. Trail maps mark reliable refill spots—pure, cold, mountain-born hydration that tastes like liquid wilderness.
5. Embrace Tasmania’s Brutally Beautiful Weather.
Yes, the South Coast Track’s weather can turn brutal—howling Roaring Forties winds, torrential rain squalls, even freak snow in summer. No huts offer shelter; your tent becomes home through it all. Add demanding river crossings, a rowboat lagoon passage, and sudden whiteouts, and preparation becomes non-negotiable. But rather than fear it, embrace this elemental immersion. The track strips you to adventure’s raw core, letting you live humanity’s most ancient conditions. Miraculously, I enjoyed mostly glorious weather—but even brutal days forge deeper rewards and stories that last a lifetime.
6. To challenge yourself!
Life’s greatest joys spring from bold new experiences, and the South Coast Track delivers challenges worth conquering. Far from an easy stroll, this demanding trail tests physical endurance, mental grit, and logistical savvy across Tasmania’s fiercest terrain. Claim the wild southern coastline as your temporary home for a full week. That profound sense of accomplishment when Cockle Creek appears? Transformative. If you can conquer the SCT, bigger life challenges feel within reach. As the saying goes, nothing good comes easy—this hike proves it gloriously.
7. To live and be present in the moment.
Modern life overwhelms with constant notifications, packed schedules, traffic noise, and digital distraction. The South Coast Track offers complete detox—no mobile coverage, no WiFi, just you and pristine wilderness. With walking, eating, and sleeping as your only rhythm for a week, your mind unclutters naturally. Exercise floods your brain with clarity while solitude invites deep reflection. Savor the rare privilege of such disconnection. Ponder what matters most, contemplate needed life changes, reconnect with your core self—this hike creates space for transformation.
8. You will meet great people.
South Coast Track hikers share immediate kinship—everyone chose this demanding quest, creating fast friendships across ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. Meals around shared stoves spark stories; rest breaks at key points deepen conversations. You’ll swap gear tips, weather survival tales, celebrate shared triumphs over boggy sections or river fords, and commiserate through wet camps. These trail bonds often last far beyond Cockle Creek, connected by memories only SCT veterans understand.
9. Encounter Tasmania’s Wildest Wildlife Up Close.
While larger mammals stay elusive, the South Coast Track immerses you in Tasmania’s pristine ecology. Wombats and pademelons graze openly near campsites, unfazed by human presence. Dusk often reveals elusive quolls prowling. Birdlife dazzles constantly, with rare orange-bellied parrots flashing through button grass. Beach sections occasionally reveal seals basking offshore. This unfragmented ecosystem lets you witness Tasmania’s native inhabitants in their natural rhythms, undisturbed by mainland development.
10. The next continent is Antarctica.
Positioned at Tasmania’s deep southern frontier—passing mainland Australia’s southernmost point—the South Coast Track feels like earth’s edge. Antarctic winds whip from starboard while Roaring Forties batter western flanks; eastward, South America’s the next solid landfall. Striding this oceanic frontier connecting roaring seas and ice-bound continents creates profound isolation and exhilaration. Bonus: late spring/early summer offers prime Southern Lights viewing from remote beaches—nature’s grand finale to perfect days.
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