Southport Lagoon to Cockle Creek — Tasmania’s Southernmost Road via Recherche Bay
The last road in Australia. Drive it like you mean it.
Cockle Creek is the end of the tarmac — and the end of the continent. South of here it’s open Southern Ocean all the way to Antarctica. The road from Southport down through Recherche Bay is unsealed past the township fringe, dropping onto a corrugated gravel track that hugs the bay shore before terminating at a Parks campsite and the trailhead for the South Coast Track. En route you pass the site where D’Entrecasteaux’s French expedition landed in 1792 — one of the first European contacts with this coast — and the bay still carries that same eerie stillness. Beaches are empty, wallabies outnumber people by a wide margin, and the light at dusk on the water is something you won’t photograph well enough to do justice.
The track is accessible to most 2WD vehicles with reasonable clearance in dry conditions, though a capable AWD or light 4WD is the smarter choice given the surface and the remoteness. There’s a Parks fee to enter the Southwest National Park zone. Fuel in Dover before heading south — nothing beyond Southport. Camping at Cockle Creek is superb and the walking access into the South Coast Track country is a genuine bonus. Go in autumn for calm seas, golden light, and fewer people who’ve discovered this is the bottom of the world.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 590 ft |
| Best season | March-May |
| Minimum vehicle | AWD or high-clearance vehicle |
| Nearest town | Dover, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a standard AWD SUV handle this, or do I need a lifted 4x4?
A stock AWD with reasonable clearance handles this fine in dry conditions — it's rated easy on dirt and gravel with minimal elevation change. A lifted 4x4 is overkill, but a 2WD sedan will get you into trouble on the softer sections near Cockle Creek.
When is the trail passable and what's the worst the weather gets down here?
March through May is the sweet spot — drier, stable, and the light is incredible. Summer brings heavy tourist traffic and unpredictable southerly storms; winter can turn sections muddy and some creek crossings swell enough to make turnarounds the smart call.
Do I need a permit to drive in and camp at Cockle Creek?
Yes — you need a valid Parks Tasmania pass to access Southwest National Park. Buy it online before you go at parks.tas.gov.au; there's no cell service on the trail to sort it out at the gate.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
There's no genuinely technical section — the challenge is soft gravel shoulders and muddy patches after rain near the southern end. The bigger risk is complacency; the road is remote enough that a bogged vehicle means a long wait for help with zero cell service.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and is there water at Cockle Creek for camping?
Dover is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 25km north of the trailhead — fill up there without question. Cockle Creek has basic camping facilities including pit toilets, but carry your own water; there's no treated supply at the campsite.
Trail track
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