How to Get to the South Coast Track

The South Coast Track is one of Australia's great wilderness adventures. Stretching approximately 85 kilometres through the remote Southwest National Park, it takes walkers from the tiny settlement of Melaleuca to Cockle Creek, passing pristine beaches, button grass plains, rugged mountain ranges and some of Tasmania's most spectacular wilderness.

Unlike many of Tasmania's other multi-day walks, there is no road access to the western end of the track. Most walkers begin their journey by flying into Melaleuca before walking east to Cockle Creek.

Fortunately, reaching the South Coast Track is straightforward when you combine the services of Par Avion Wilderness Tours and Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences.

The Most Popular Way to Walk the South Coast Track

The majority of walkers complete the South Coast Track from west to east, beginning at Melaleuca and finishing at Cockle Creek.

Step 1: Fly from Hobart to Melaleuca

Par Avion operates scenic flights from Hobart to Melaleuca, providing the most efficient and spectacular way to access the track.

The flight takes you over Tasmania's remote southwest wilderness, offering incredible aerial views of mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and coastline that few people ever see.

After landing at Melaleuca, walkers can begin the South Coast Track almost immediately.

Step 2: Walk the South Coast Track

Most walkers allow between 6 and 9 days to complete the track, depending on experience, weather conditions and planned side trips.

Highlights include:

• Melaleuca and Bathurst Harbour

• Cox Bight

• Louisa Bay

• Ironbound Range

• Granite Beach

• South Cape Rivulet

• South Cape Bay

• Cockle Creek

The track is regarded as one of Tasmania's more challenging wilderness walks and conditions can change rapidly at any time of year.

Step 3: Return from Cockle Creek to Hobart

After completing the track, Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences provides transport from Cockle Creek back to Hobart.

This service allows walkers to avoid the logistical challenges of vehicle shuffles and long-distance driving after completing a demanding wilderness trek.

For most walkers, this fly-in, walk-out itinerary is the simplest and most popular way to experience the South Coast Track.

What Happens If The Flight Can't Reach Melaleuca?

Tasmania's southwest wilderness is famous for its unpredictable weather.

Occasionally, cloud, strong winds or other adverse conditions can prevent aircraft from safely accessing Melaleuca. When this happens, experienced walkers will often reverse their itinerary and complete the South Coast Track in the opposite direction.

The Reverse South Coast Track Option

Instead of flying first, walkers can:

Step 1: Travel from Hobart to Cockle Creek

Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences can transport walkers from Hobart to Cockle Creek, allowing them to begin walking immediately from the eastern trailhead.

Step 2: Walk from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca

The route remains the same wilderness journey, simply completed in reverse.

Many experienced bushwalkers enjoy this option and some even prefer approaching challenging sections such as the Ironbound Range from the eastern side.

Step 3: Fly from Melaleuca Back to Hobart

At the completion of the walk, Par Avion can collect walkers from Melaleuca and return them directly to Hobart by air.

This provides an excellent contingency plan when weather conditions affect flights at the start of a trip.

Why Flexible Logistics Matter

The South Coast Track passes through one of the most remote regions in Australia. Weather, river levels and flight conditions can occasionally require plans to change with little notice.

Having experienced operators at both ends of the track provides important flexibility.

A typical contingency plan might involve:

• Original itinerary: Fly Hobart to Melaleuca, walk to Cockle Creek, drive to Hobart.

• Weather disruption: Drive Hobart to Cockle Creek, walk to Melaleuca, fly back to Hobart.

This flexibility helps ensure that walkers can still complete their adventure while minimising lost time and accommodation costs.

Which Direction Should You Walk?

For most visitors, walking from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek remains the preferred option.

Benefits include:

• Simpler navigation of transport logistics

• Most commonly travelled direction

• Scenic flight at the start of the adventure

• Easier post-walk recovery with direct road transport to Hobart

However, a Cockle Creek to Melaleuca itinerary is an excellent alternative when weather prevents flights into Melaleuca or when walkers simply prefer the reverse direction.

South Coast Track Transport Summary

Standard Itinerary

Day 1

• Fly Hobart to Melaleuca with Par Avion

Days 1-8

• Walk the South Coast Track

Final Day

• Transport from Cockle Creek to Hobart with Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences

Reverse Itinerary

Day 1

• Transport from Hobart to Cockle Creek with Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences

Days 1-8

• Walk the South Coast Track

Final Day

• Fly Melaleuca to Hobart with Par Avion

Need South Coast Track Transport?

Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences provides reliable South Coast Track transfers between Hobart and Cockle Creek, helping walkers access one of Tasmania's most iconic wilderness adventures without the need for vehicle shuffles or complex logistics.

Whether you're planning the traditional Melaleuca-to-Cockle Creek route or need a flexible backup option when weather affects flights, combining Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences and Par Avion is the easiest way to access the South Coast Track.