Activities
Walks, wildlife and birdwatching near Tower Hill
Walks above the farm and wildlife all around it. East and West Tower, birds, night spotlighting, photography and quiet time in the trees.
Hiking near Tower Hill
Hiking
We're sitting right at the foot of Tower Hill, one of the high points of the north east, and there's some cracking walking around the Fingal Valley and St Marys. Here's what's close by.
Tower Hill: East Tower
About: A short, steep walk up the forestry road to the rocky top of East Tower, the main summit of Tower Hill (about 1,118 m), with a fire lookout on the summit rocks. On a clear day you can see Ben Lomond, Mt Barrow, Mt Saddleback, Mt Victoria, St Patricks Head and right out toward the coast.
Getting there: Come in via Fingal and Mullens Road only. The southern end of Tower Hill Road is in poor condition and not recommended. From there it's Cabin Road through state forest. Roads are gravel and can be rough or washed out, so a high clearance vehicle is best.
Boom gate: The Cabin Road boom gate is controlled by Sustainable Timber Tasmania and is usually closed in winter. Check before you go, and be ready to walk from the gate.
Time: From the top car park it's a few minutes up stairs to the fire tower. If the boom gate is shut, walk up the road from the gate and allow more time.
Difficulty: Short but steep, with an unformed rocky section near the top. Check current conditions with Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
Good to know: The fire lookout and communications gear are forestry infrastructure, so don't rely on climbing the lookout. Please respect any locked gates and signs, and enjoy the view from the rocks. It's one of Tasmania's "Abels" (peaks over 1,100 m), so peak baggers can tick it off.
Tower Hill: West Tower
About: East Tower's quieter twin (about 1,110 m) and also an Abel. A proper little adventure: an old grassy fire trail down into the saddle, then a faint route marked by cairns and tape, a short scramble up a gully, and a rocky up-and-down sidle across scree to a small summit.
Getting there: Same road as East Tower. The route leaves the road a short way below the top car park.
Distance: About 8.2 km return with about 420 m of climbing, according to one walker's 2025 report.
The route: An unformed route with scrub, fallen timber, rock scrambling and scree. Navigation skills and an offline map are needed, as the pad is easy to lose just past the saddle. Check current conditions with Sustainable Timber Tasmania.
Good to know: Summit views are limited by scrub. The real reward is the walk itself and the views back to East Tower.
Other walks nearby
- St Patricks Head (St Marys): a steep climb with ladders and chains to a big view over the coast. Hard but short.
- South Sister lookout (near German Town, St Marys): short stroll to a lookout over the coast and Fingal Valley.
- Evercreech Forest Reserve (near Mathinna): easy loop through some of the tallest white gums in the country.
- Mathinna Falls: short forest walk to a pretty multi-tier waterfall.
- Ben Lomond National Park: alpine walking on the plateau, including Legges Tor, Tassie's second highest point. Parks pass needed.
Before you head out
There are no facilities, no water and patchy phone coverage on these walks. Be self-sufficient, carry water, warm and waterproof layers, a map and a first aid kit. Tell someone your plans and when you'll be back. Mountain weather up here changes fast, even in summer, and cloud can roll in and hide the route. If in doubt, turn back.
These places are outside our property, on public or other people's private land. We don't arrange access. Check current access rules and conditions before you go.
Further reading: Chasing Cheetahs: Tower Hill, East Tower and West Tower (opens in a new tab)
Birdwatching at Tower Hill
Our farm on Tower Hill sits at around 600 m among bush, paddocks and creek lines in north-east Tasmania, and it's a lovely spot for birders. Atlas of Living Australia records list more than 100 bird species within 25 km of the farm, including many found only in Tasmania.
What you can do
- Tick off Tasmanian endemics. Birds recorded locally that are found nowhere else in the world include the Green Rosella, Black Currawong, Yellow Wattlebird, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Tasmanian Thornbill, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Scrubtit, Dusky Robin and the Tasmanian Native-hen.
- Look up for raptors. The Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle is recorded often in the area. Brown Falcons and Swamp Harriers are also on the local list, and the White-bellied Sea-Eagle is recorded occasionally.
- Spot robins. Scarlet, Flame, Pink and Dusky Robins have all been recorded locally.
- Listen for calls. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos wail as they fly over, Laughing Kookaburras call at dawn and dusk, and Superb Fairy-wrens and Eastern Spinebills work the shrubs.
- Night birds. Tawny Frogmouths and Masked Owls are recorded in the area. They're hard to find, so any sighting is a real bonus.
Best seasons and times
- Early morning is the busiest time for birdsong and activity, with a second burst in the late afternoon.
- Spring and summer bring migrants that move to Tasmania to breed, such as the Satin Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo and Dusky Woodswallow.
- Autumn and winter are quieter and colder, but resident endemics, robins and raptors are still about.
- Sightings vary from day to day and season to season. Nothing is guaranteed.
What to bring
- Binoculars, ideally 8x or 10x, and a field guide or bird app.
- Warm, quiet, earthy-coloured layers and good walking boots.
- A notebook to record what you see.
- A camera with a zoom lens, if you like photography.
- Water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat.
Safety and respect
- Some areas may be off limits on any given day.
- Snakes are active in warmer months: wear boots and long pants, watch where you step and leave any snake alone.
- Keep your distance from nests and wildlife, and never feed animals.
- Phone coverage is patchy, so let your group know where you are going.
Pairs with camping
Wake up in the bush and you're already in the best seat for the dawn chorus.
Wildlife spotlighting at Tower Hill: watching only, on foot, not from vehicles
After dark, the bush around our camp areas on Tower Hill comes alive. Grab a red-filtered torch, walk softly and see who's out and about. It's all about watching, not disturbing: we observe only.
What you can do
- Look for native mammals recorded in the area by the Atlas of Living Australia, including Common Wombats, Bennett's or Red-necked Wallabies, Tasmanian Pademelons, Common Brushtail Possums, Short-beaked Echidnas and Eastern Quolls.
- Listen and look for rarer animals. Spotted-tailed Quolls and the endangered Tasmanian Devil are also recorded in the wider area. They're shy and seldom seen, so any sighting is a real bonus.
- Night birds. Tawny Frogmouths and Masked Owls are on the local list.
- Sightings vary from night to night. Nothing is guaranteed.
Best seasons and times
- The first couple of hours after dusk are often the most active.
- Warmer, still nights tend to suit a slow walk. Winter nights are cold and long, so rug up well.
- Dark, moonless nights make eyeshine easier to spot.
What to bring
- A torch with a red filter or red light mode. Red light is less disturbing to animals and protects your night vision.
- Warm layers, a beanie and sturdy boots.
- Binoculars and a field guide or wildlife app.
Safety and wildlife care
- Observe only. Never chase, handle, corner or feed wildlife, and keep white light out of animals' eyes.
- Keep your voices low and give animals space to move away.
- Spotlighting is done on foot, not from vehicles.
- Drive slowly at dusk and after dark. Wildlife is often on the tracks.
- Snakes can be active on warm evenings. Watch where you step.
Pairs with camping
Spotlighting starts right where you camp, and there's no drive home in the dark.
Nature photography at Tower Hill
Bush, paddocks, wildlife and big skies: Tower Hill gives photographers so much to work with, from frosty mornings to golden evenings.
What you can do
- Photograph birds, including Tasmanian endemics recorded locally such as the Green Rosella, Black Currawong and Yellow Wattlebird.
- Capture wildlife such as Bennett's Wallabies, pademelons and wombats, from a respectful distance.
- Photograph landscapes and details, from frosted grass to bark, fungi and lichen.
Best seasons and times
- Golden hour, just after sunrise and before sunset, gives the softest light and the most wildlife activity.
- Cold, clear mornings at this elevation can bring frost and mist.
- Spring brings breeding birds and fresh growth.
What to bring
- Camera, spare batteries and memory cards, as cold drains batteries fast.
- A telephoto lens for wildlife and a tripod for low light.
- Warm, quiet, earthy-coloured layers and sturdy boots.
Safety and respect
- Never bait, chase or crowd wildlife for a photo, and keep away from nests.
- Drones must follow CASA rules. Please don't fly near wildlife, livestock or other campers, and ask us first.
Pairs with camping
Staying on site means you're already in place for first and last light.
Forest bathing at Tower Hill
Forest bathing, from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, simply means spending slow, quiet time among trees and using all your senses. The bush on Tower Hill is a beautifully peaceful place to give it a go.
What you can do
- Slow right down. Find a quiet spot in the areas shown to you at induction, sit, breathe and notice.
- Use your senses: the smell of eucalyptus, the feel of bark, the calls of honeyeaters and fairy-wrens.
- Leave the phone in your pocket and let the bush set the pace.
Best seasons and times
- Early morning, when birdsong is at its best and the air is still.
- Any season can suit, weather permitting. Rug up in the cooler months.
What to bring
- A mat or camp chair, warm comfortable layers and a waterproof jacket.
- Water and a hot drink.
Safety
- Watch where you sit and step. Snakes are active in warmer months.
Pairs with camping
The bush is right there outside your tent.
Self-guided farm walk at Tower Hill: coming soon
We're working on a self-guided walk across our working highland farm on Tower Hill, at around 600 m on about 900 acres of hills, bush and paddock. It will open next year, once our new tracks are finished.
What you can do
Details of the walk will be shared here once it opens.
Best seasons and times
To be announced when the walk opens, subject to season and farm operations.
What to bring
Sturdy boots, water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen and a warm, waterproof layer will be a good start.
Safety
Full safety notes will be added when the walk opens. Until then, please stay on the tracks and in the areas shown to you at induction.
Pairs with camping
In the meantime, there's plenty to enjoy from camp.
Safety and getting here
- Stay on tracks and in areas shown to you at induction.
- Some areas may be closed on any given day.
- Tell someone in your group your plan and expected return time.
- Phone coverage is patchy.
- Weather on Tower Hill can change quickly. Carry a warm, waterproof layer.
Getting here: come in via Fingal and Mullens Rd. Please don't use the south end of Tower Hill Rd. Full arrival details are sent with your booking.
Book your stay to make a night of it. Good to know before you stay.
Activities may be restricted on days when hunting guests are on the farm. We'll let you know at induction.