Summary

An easy walk along a mostly boardwalk track, through mossy, fern-filled forest to a sinkhole lake with spectacular views of Adamson's Peak.

Description

An easy walk along a mostly boardwalk track, through mossy, fern-filled forest to a sinkhole lake with spectacular views of Adamson's Peak.

There is a well sign-posted turn off the Huon Highway 3 km south of Strathblane, which is a few kilometres south of Dover. The road takes you a few kilometres up well-made gravel roads along the Darcy Link and Creekton Road. The roads are fine for conventional vehicles in good weather but the roads can be muddy, icy or snowy at times, in which case a 4WD would be preferred.
From the car park the walk takes you 2km along the Creekton Rivulet, through regrowth forest that is a wonderland of mosses, ferns and lichens, many species of tree and shrub, birds and animals (we saw a lyrebird on our visit).

The path is mostly duckboards and quite accessible, though once again it can be muddy, icy or snowy at times.

Duckhole Lake is a sinkhole in the limestone bedrock and is part of the Hastings Caves network of underground passages, which are close by. It would be possible to combine a visit to the caves and/or the thermal pool with a walk to Duckhole Lake.

The lake is surrounded by old Eucalypts and denser forest. There is a rustic seat you can sit on and enjoy fine views of Adamson’s Peak.

There is no formal path around the lake but it is possible to wander along the banks on either side of the path.

This walk requires a Parks pass, which can be easily obtained through the Parks Tasmania website.

7415 Views

Points of Interest

1. Start of the walk signage

An overview provided by Parks and Wildlife, Tasmania

2. Ferns

As you move along the path, through dappled, filtered light, you get surprised by pools of light that appear and highlight, in this case, a fern.

3. Moss

It would be interesting to count the number of different mosses that you see.

4. Fungi

Likewise with fungi.

5. The Path

The path is mostly boardwalk, which makes going through the undergrowth relatively easy. The boards can be muddy, icy and slippery at times, and there are sections with no boards. The path is good.

6. The Lake

Surrounded by forest, with a great view of Adamson's Peak, plenty of birds around and with stunning reflections, Duckhole Lake is well worth the visit.

7. Reflections

It was so still and clear that we were amazed by the mirror-like reflections.

8. Return

The return trip is along the same track, but it's always different going the other way!

9. Old Boiler

This whole area has been used for forestry over the years and the path to the lake passes through regrowth forest. This is an old boiler that is slowly rusting by the trackside.

10. The Forest

A last look before leaving.

Features

Seating available

Historical interest

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river