Lake Mackintosh to Zeehan — Heemskirk Coastal Wilderness Road
Roaring Forties tin ruins and savage coastline.
The Heemskirk Road threads through one of the most genuinely remote corners of Australia’s most remote island. Starting near Zeehan — once the silver-boom ‘Silver City’ of Tasmania — the track pushes west across buttongrass moorland toward the Heemskirk Range and the wild Southern Ocean coast. Rocky Cape headlands appear through the tea-tree scrub and the ruins of the Trial Harbour tin works mark a waypoint where men once tried to wrestle a living from a coast that never cooperated. Trial Harbour itself is a scatter of shacks clinging to a storm-battered beach, surf rarely less than four feet, and a vibe that says the world ended somewhere back on the highway.
This is a genuine wet-weather challenge. The buttongrass plains drain slowly and the clay-based tracks turn greasy after rain — standard fare on the West Coast. A lifted, snorkelled 4WD is the sensible choice; a stock SUV with street tyres will find itself beached in a wet crossing. No fuel between Zeehan and Strahan, so carry extra. The region is classified under the Tarkine and is periodically closed after heavy rain — check with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service before heading out. Winter closes this entirely in practice. Spring through autumn is the window, and the reward is a coastline that makes Ningaloo look crowded.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with snorkel |
| Nearest town | Zeehan, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Landcruiser or Patrol do this trail, or do I need a snorkel?
A snorkel is genuinely required here, not optional. Water crossings on the Heemskirk Coastal Road can be axle-deep or worse after rain, and the West Coast weather is unpredictable enough that you can hit a crossing in very different conditions than expected. A lifted 4WD with a snorkel is the minimum — low-range capability is essential.
What time of year is this trail actually passable?
October through April is the reliable window. West Coast Tasmania gets hammered by the Roaring Forties year-round, and winter months bring heavy rain that turns creek crossings dangerous and some sections impassable. Even in summer, conditions can change fast — check with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive the Heemskirk Coastal Road?
No permit is required to drive the route, but if you're entering or camping within any adjacent reserve managed by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, standard park entry fees and regulations apply. Check current conditions and any seasonal closures at parks.tas.gov.au before heading out.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The creek crossings are the crux — multiple water crossings without bridges, where depth varies depending on recent rainfall. Beyond that, the track through buttongrass plains can be deeply rutted and boggy, and some coastal shelf sections are tight and exposed. Walk crossings before committing, and have a recovery kit rigged and ready.
Is there any fuel or resupply between Lake Mackintosh and Zeehan?
No. There is nothing on the route — no fuel, no services, no cell service. Zeehan has fuel but it's a small town, so confirm hours before you arrive. Fill up in Queenstown or Strahan before starting, and carry enough water for the full run since potable water sources on trail are not guaranteed.
Trail track
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