Scots Peak Road — Lake Pedder to Crossing River via Southwest National Park Interior
End of the road — literally — in Tasmania's wild south.
Scots Peak Road departs the Lake Pedder shoreline and drives south into a landscape so empty it feels earned. The track crosses buttongrass moorland cut by tea-stained creeks, passes the Crossing River Conservation Area, and terminates at a boat ramp and campsite used by bushwalkers heading into the South Coast Track — one of Australia’s most demanding multi-day walks. The road itself is the only vehicle access to this corner of the park; everything south of here is foot or boat only. The horizon fills with the Arthur Range and the Federation Peak massif, and on a clear day the light on those quartzite towers is something you’ll talk about at campsites for years.
The track is clay and gravel, deeply rutted after rain and completely impassable in wet conditions — plan for the worst and go in driest summer months, December to February. A genuine 4WD with a snatch strap, MaxTrax, and recovery gear is not optional here; you are genuinely remote. No fuel, no phone, no services past Strathgordon. Parks Tasmania national park pass required. Camping at Crossing River is basic but spectacular. Bring everything you need; the nearest town with supplies is New Norfolk, hours away.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1148 ft |
| Best season | December-February |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Strathgordon, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Parks Tasmania |
| Permit required | Yes |
| 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 Land Cruiser 200 Series handle Scots Peak Road, or does it need a lift?
A stock 200 Series will get through, but it's working at its limits on the rougher sections — rock bars, deep ruts, and off-camber clay. A 2-inch lift with all-terrain tyres makes a real difference. Underbody protection is strongly advised; the rocky sections are unforgiving on factory bash plates.
When is Scots Peak Road actually passable — is summer the only window?
December through February is the reliable window. Outside of that, the clay sections become impassable bog and snow can hit the higher ground. Even in summer, a single day of heavy rain can close the track fast — check conditions with Parks Tasmania before you leave Strathgordon.
Do I need a permit to drive into Southwest National Park on this track?
Yes. A Tasmania National Parks Pass is required — either a day pass or annual pass. Purchase online via Parks Tasmania or at self-registration stations. There's no ranger station on the track itself, so sort it before you leave Strathgordon.
What's the hardest section on the trail and what makes it technical?
The roughest terrain sits in the mid-section where the track descends toward the Crossing River flats — loose rock steps, deep wheel ruts cut by wet-weather damage, and tight off-camber sidling through button grass plains. The Crossing River itself is the final test; depth varies with rainfall and there's no bridge. If it's running high, the road simply ends there.
Is there any fuel or water available once I leave Strathgordon?
No. Strathgordon is the last fuel stop and it has limited hours — fill up completely before heading south. There's no potable water on the track; treat any surface water you collect. With 28 miles of slow technical driving each way, plan your fuel around a full tank minimum.
Trail track
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