Douglas-Apsley National Park is in the eastern parts of Tasmania a few kilometres north of Bicheno.

Understand

History

Although the area is wild and difficult to access, from the mid-19th century onwards, it was criss-crossed by paths that were used to develop mineral resources. Coal has been mined for over 100 years. The different uses by farmers, trappers and mining probably prevented large-scale forest clearing, which is why a forest landscape with a unique diversity of plant and animal species could be preserved here.

Flora and fauna

Several notable bird species are found in the national park, such as Tasmanian bungle fowl, the yellow bellied parakeet, the honeyeater species yellow-throated honeyeater, the black-headed honeyeater, the strong-billed honeyeater, yellow-lobed honeyeater, the stem hover (Acanthornis magna), the southern sea warbler species, the Tasman shrike and the flycatcher species Tasman's flycatcher.

Visitor information

• Official Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services Website

Get in

From Bicheno, head three kilometres north onto Tasman Highway and turn left onto Rosedale Road. Continue onto Rosedale Road until you've arrived at the park.

Fees and permits

To enter any national park in Tasmania, you'll need to have a valid park pass to enter the park, which can be found on the Parks Tasmania website. There are numerous passes available, depending on your needs. The fees are up-to-date as of February 2024.

A Daily Pass is usually valid for 24 hours and is usable in all parks, although it does not include access to Cradle Mountain. This is particularly useful if you're going to numerous nearby parks. A pass for your vehicle covers up to 8 occupants; you only need the per-person pass if you arrive outside a vehicle.

• Per vehicle: $44.75.
• Per person (≥5 years): $22.35.

If you stay in Tasmania for a few weeks and want to visit several national parks, the Holiday Pass is valid for up to two months. This also includes Cradle Mountain.

• Per vehicle: $89.50.
• Per person (≥5 years): $44.75.

There is also the Annual Park Pass, which is valid in all parks, including Cradle Mountain.

• $95.30 in general.
• $76.25 for concession holders.
• $38.10 for seniors.

If you only plan to frequently revisit one park for 12 months, it costs $48.70 for a regular adult and $38.95 for concession holders. This excludes Cradle Mountain.

Passes can either be purchased through passes.parks.tas.gov.au, in any national park visitor centre, some travel information centres, onboard Spirit of Tasmania vessels, and Service Tasmania centres.

See

Apsley Waterhole

• 1 Apsley Waterhole. A nice scenic waterhole and the main highlight of the park. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Apsley Gorge, Apsley Gorge Track, Douglas-Apsley. Tasmania may not be well known for its gorges, but this gorge may give you reason to think otherwise. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

• Leeaberra Track – a 2.5 - 3 day track that takes 28 kilometres passing through some of the park's forests
• Loop Track – a 1.2km trail that takes you to Apsley Waterhole and back

Buy, eat and drink

None of that in the park. You'll need to bring everything with you.

Sleep

Lodging

There are no lodging sites in the park.

Camping

There are two campsites in the park. One at Apsley Waterhole and the other at Tevelein Falls. The first one has numerous facilities, while the latter has none. See the park website for more.