Within Glenorchy, you’ll discover parts of the expansive Wellington Park, encompassing the slopes and peaks of Mt. Arthur, Mt. Connection, Tom Thumb, and Mt. Hull, as well as the upper catchments of the Humphreys Rivulet, Knights Creek, and the headwaters of the New Town Rivulet. You can also explore the remnants of bushland scattered across the municipality, many of which are nestled in municipal parks and reserves. These include N.R. Pierce Reserve, Poimena Reserve, Catherine Street Reserve, Jim Bacon Reserve, Amy Street Reserve, and Lutana Woodland.
If you’re a fan of waterfront areas, Glenorchy offers more than 30 kilometers of Derwent River foreshore. These areas retain their natural features, including rare saltmarsh communities and coastal shrublands, providing a habitat for native fauna, especially birds.
The natural diversity of Glenorchy is evident in its collection of over 500 native plant species. You can find various vegetation communities, such as alpine, sub-alpine, montane, rainforest, and wet forest communities on the Wellington Range’s peaks and slopes. In the lower slopes and foothills, you’ll come across drier forests and woodlands. Along waterways and the Derwent River foreshore, there are riparian forests, shrublands, coastal shrublands, and saltmarsh complexes.
Glenorchy takes pride in preserving and protecting its natural heritage, which includes over fifty threatened plant and animal species. Notable examples include the Eastern-barred Bandicoot, Tasmanian Devil, and the Wedge-tailed Eagle. Some intriguing, threatened plants found in Glenorchy are Epacris virgata (Pretty Heath) in Wellington Park, Dianella amoena (Grassland Flaxlily) in Lutana, and Velleia paradoxa (Spur Velleia) and Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) in West Moonah.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the City offers an extensive network of tracks and trails suitable for walkers, runners, and bike riders. These pathways wind through the open spaces, allowing visitors to enjoy the surroundings. Additionally, you’ll find heritage features throughout the municipality, representing both Aboriginal and European history. Many of these sites are owned or managed by the City Council, serving as reminders of Glenorchy’s rich cultural heritage.
Take a moment to explore the City of Glenorchy, where natural wonders and outdoor activities await. Discover the parks, trails, and historic sites that make this city a unique destination for those seeking a connection with nature and a glimpse into its storied past.
Wellington Park dominates our city skyline with over 4000ha of bushland and making up around one third of our municipality. The Glenorchy section of Wellington Park has large parts that cover protected drinking water catchments.
There are no public roads and the feel is less busy compared to the Hobart side, which attracts most of the visitors via The Springs and Pinnacle Road.
The main access to Wellington Park is via the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park at the end of Tolosa Street. Several fire trails suitable for walking extend from the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park to other areas within Wellington Park.
There are some spectacular views for those willing to walk up the trails to Mt. Arthur, Tom Thumb and nearby points.
The N.R. Pierce Reserve is a significant bushland reserve donated to the people of Glenorchy by the Pierce family in 1988 in memory of Norman R. Pierce and his significant contribution to the community.
The reserve is an important native bushland backdrop to Glenorchy.
The reserve covers 449ha behind Berriedale and Montrose and to the east of Collinsvale. It borders Wellington Park to the south-west.
The reserve contains a wide variety of vegetation types and the reserve provides important habitat for a variety of birds, mammals – including bettongs, bandicoots, Tasmanian devils and wallabies – reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
Access to N.R. Pierce Reserve is on existing fire trails which connect through to Wellington Park. The Zig Zag Track from Collinsvale Road is the main access point for visitors.
Poimena Reserve is situated on top of a small hill in Austins Ferry. It is 29ha and offers panoramic views of the Derwent River to the east, and kunanyi/Mount Wellington to the west. Visitors can enjoy a diverse walking experience through a mix of native white gum, peppermint and blue gum woodland and managed parkland.
The reserve supports a range of fauna including bandicoots and over 70 native bird species. Several rare beetles and herbaceous plants also occur there.
There are BBQ facilities and the reserve is home to southern Tasmania’s only disc golf course.
Access is via Wakehurst Road, Austins Ferry.
Gould’s Lagoon in Granton was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938 at the request of the owner at the time, Arthur Gould. It is a particularly important refuge for water birds which use the area for resting, feeding and breeding. A viewing platform can be accessed by a boardwalk across the water. This is a great place to observe the birdlife visiting the lagoon. The car park is located off Hestercombe Road.
Jim Bacon Memorial Reserve in West Moonah contains a mix of open parkland and a 2ha remnant patch of rare black gum forest. Several rare plants are found here including Blue Devil, a small, prickly herb with distinctive blue foliage.
The reserve also provides habitat for several bird species including the threatened Swift Parrot.
Access is from Devines Road, Thornleigh Street and Hudson Crescent.
This 5ha reserve of remnant bushland is situated at the top of Amy Street in West Moonah. The reserve contains some significant native grassland, white gums, peppermints and she-oak forest. It provides a quiet walking location as well as great views towards the east and north from its elevated position.
Access is from several points in Moonah and West Moonah including Amy Street, Seventh Avenue, Wilkie Court, Walch Avenue and Bermuka Street.
Lutana Woodlands Reserve provides one of the best panoramic vistas in the city, with sweeping views over Glenorchy, nearby suburbs and the Wellington Range. Tracts of remnant native grassland support over 40 native plant species including grasses, herbs, orchids, shrubs and trees.
In recent years we have worked with the local community on restoration works, planting hundreds of trees and shrubs, removing rubbish and clearing weeds.
The park is popular with dog walkers.
A car park is located off Bowen Rd and there is also access from Lennox Street.
The foreshore from Claremont to Berriedale is a varied landscape. Several local reserves are linked to make an extended walking trail stretching along the Derwent from Cadbury through to Mona at Berridale.
The track passes environmentally significant salt marsh, open parkland, headlands, sheltered bays, and bush tracks containing she-oaks. There are some spectacular views along the walk. The area also has significant Aboriginal heritage importance.
Fringing Elwick Bay from Montrose Foreshore Community Park to Wilkinson Point, is the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park (GASP!). The sealed path and boardwalk guides you past open parkland, a regenerating dune, tidal wetlands and saltmarsh. Highlights include scenic vistas, art displays and sculptures and bird watching opportunities.