Styx Valley Road — Maydena to Florentine Giant Trees via Styx River Corridor
Tallest trees on earth. Deepest mud in Tassie.
The Styx Valley doesn’t mess around. Thirty minutes out of Maydena the bitumen ends and you’re on wet gravel threading through old-growth swamp gum — the tallest flowering plants on the planet, some pushing past 90 metres. The route follows Forestry Road through the Styx River corridor, past the Big Tree Reserve where giants like El Grande once stood, before dead-ending near the upper tributary crossings at the valley’s southern reach. Mud is the constant companion here; the road surface degrades fast after rain and sections can wash out entirely in winter.
High-clearance 4WD is non-negotiable once you push past the initial forestry sections, and a recovery kit and snatch strap belong in the tray before you leave Maydena. Best visited October through April when the roads are driest, though this is southwest Tasmania — expect rain regardless. Fuel up in Maydena; there’s nothing further in. No permit required, dispersed camping is available in forestry areas but check with Forestry Tasmania for active logging closures before you go. What you get out of this is perspective: trees that were old when European ships first found this island.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Maydena, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Forestry Tasmania |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | forestrytas.com.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Hilux or Prado handle this trail, or do I need a serious build?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a 76 Series LandCruiser, Prado, or Hilux with a locking diff handles this fine in dry conditions. After rain, mud gets deep and sticky — a locker or mud-terrain tyres go from optional to necessary fast.
When is Styx Valley Road actually driveable, and how bad does it get in winter?
October through April is the reliable window. Winter brings persistent rain, frost, and soft ground that turns the track into a bog — Forestry Tasmania occasionally closes sections after heavy weather, so check their site before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive through the Styx Valley on this route?
No permit is required to drive the forestry road, but this is active logging country — gates can be closed on workdays without notice. Check with Forestry Tasmania (forestrytas.com.au) before heading out, especially Monday to Friday.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually be prepared for?
The river corridor sections after any rain are the crux — clay-heavy soil holds water and gets slippery fast, with ruts that can swallow a tyre. There are no dramatic rock crawls, but getting bogged in a remote valley with no cell service and no one around is a real outcome if you're not paying attention.
Is there any water or fuel available along the route, or do I need to carry everything in?
There is zero infrastructure on the trail — no fuel, no potable water, no facilities. Top up in Maydena before you leave and carry all drinking water; the Styx River runs alongside much of the route but treat it before drinking. The nearest fuel stop is Maydena or New Norfolk, so plan your range accordingly.
Trail track
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