Local Attractions.
During your stay, we have put together our top recommended Things To Do within 60 minutes drive from Compass Hut.
NAVIGATOR
Click the icons below in each
category to discover more about the region.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
Waterfalls, short walks to multi-day walks, lookouts and more. Check out these amazing things to do and see in our region.
TASMANIAN WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
We are extremely lucky to have not one, but two incredible Tasmanian wildlife sanctuaries nearby! At both Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary & Devils @ Cradle, you can see the Tasmanian Devil and other Tasmanian species.
EATING & DRINKING
Discover places for coffee, or to breakfast, lunch & dinner. Discover vineyards and distilleries within the region. We even have a list of foodie traveller destinations such as chocolate, ice cream, cheese and more.
VINEYARDS & DISTILLERIES
Home to Ghost Rock Wines and Prickly Mo, the North Coast is also home to one of Tasmania's best whiskey brands, Hellyers Road Distillery, and new to the community, Southern Wild Distillery in the heart of the port city of Devonport.
CAVE & CANYON TOURS
Marakoopa Cave and King Solomons Cave are exceptional! Located in beautiful Mole Creek, adventure enthusiasts can also experience canyoning at Cradle Mountain. Click to find out more.
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ART GALLERIES
Art galleries and entire towns with outdoor art (murals), our region certainly has a good selection.
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SWIMMING & SURFING
Here are our top recommended swimming & surfing spots, whether you prefer the beach or swimming pools.
HISTORIC SITES
The North Coast of Tasmania, following Hobart and Launceston, became an important area for early settlers. The North Coast is dotted with historic places to discover.
GARDENS & MAZES
Discover Tasmazia near Sheffield of the Purple House Mazes in Forth. Nearby is the Tasmanian Arboretum and the popular Wychwood Garden.
DON HEADS
SHORT WALK/ 10 minutes drive from Compass Hut
NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK
DAY TRIP/ 35 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Easily one of the best destinations on the North Coast, and only a 35-minute drive from Compass Hut! You could easily spend the whole day at this incredible National Park, featuring Tasmanian wildlife (including Forester Kangaroo's), beachscapes, short and long walks. Perfect for swimming and relaxing also.
Distance from Compass Hut: 65 minute drive
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
DAY TRIP/ 60 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Our top day-trip recommendation during your stay at Compass Hut is Cradle Mountain, only a 60-minute drive from your accommodation!
Cradle Mountain has long since been one of Tasmania's most loved and iconic travel destinations in the state. The National Park has a range of easy short and full-day walks and other activities. Cradle Mountain is also the start of the internationally renowned Overland Track (see below) - a five to seven-day hike from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in Tasmania's Central Highlands.
The drive from Compass Hat starts in the farmland coast of the Forth Valley region, past the tourist town of Sheffield, then up into the climbing hills of Wilmot into the Central Highlands. It is perhaps the most picturesque and geographically diverse way to get to Cradle Mountain. and it is one of our favourite road-trips to explore Tasmania.
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BASALT ROCKS
SHORT WALK/ 13 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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DON HEADS
FOREST WALK
SHORT WALK/ 13 minutes drive from Compass Hut
CHAMPAGNE FALLS
2-HOUR WALK/ 60 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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OVERLAND TRACK
MULTI-DAY HIKE/ 60 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Internationally acclaimed as one of the top multi-day walks in Australia, Tasmania is home to the Overland Track; a five to seven-day hike across the Central Highland Plateau. Travellers who have booked in for the experience commence their journey from Cradle Mountain, which is only a sixty-minute drive from Compass Hut.
Before setting off on your trek, Compass Hut is the perfect place to relax and prepare before your journey, and explore the Forth Valley region.
Starting location: Cradle Mountain
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ALUM CLIFFS LOOKOUT
SHORT WALK/ 51 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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MOUNT ROLAND
DAY HIKE/ 45 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Sitting behind the artistic tourist town of Sheffield (20 minutes drive from Compass Hut), this stunning mountain has two main day hikes for those adventurous travellers visiting the area; Face Track & O'Neills Road Track. Hikers, once up top, will have panoramic views across Bass Strait to the north, Cradle Mountain to the south and more.
Visitors are recommended they will need a good level of fitness and experience, and be well prepared for the hike. Make sure you check the local weather.
HIKE DURATION: 5-6 hours return
HIKE GRADE: Medium - good level of fitness.
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BRADDON'S LOOKOUT
LOOKOUT/ 5 minutes drive from Compass Hut
A great way to get a feel for the Forth Valley region, this lookout gives expansive views across Forth Valley and River, south towards the Central Highlands and west, and further west, up the North-West Coast.
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DON RIVER WALKING/
EXERCISE TRACK.
SHORT WALK/ 5 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Forming part of Tasmania's early pioneering history, in recent years, the Don River bushland area has been established as walking/recreation space for locals. The Don River Walking Tracks are a great way to explore the natural bush-land of the area. The tracks established through to Devonport's Bluff area are a popular location for walkers, runners and cyclists. Our recommended starting point is at the Don River Railway Station carpark/park. Here you can follow a 3 km circuit through the river bushland, past Devonport's Aquatic Centre and return, or continue further to Devonport's Coles Beach and Bluff Recreation Area/Mersey River.
3km Circuit DURATION: 40 minutes return (walking), 25 minutes (running)
COLES BEACH WALK
SHORT WALK/ 16 minutes drive from Compass Hut
THE BLUFF LIGHTHOUSE WALK
SHORT WALK/ 16 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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DEVONPORT BLUFF
SHORT WALKS/ 17 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Most popular as a place to hang out with the kids, enjoy the views from the restaurant perched above the beach, a work-out location, or swimming and surfing, this is worth a visit. Walking tracks are also available up to the Mersey Lighthouse, or along the foreshore to Mersey River and Devonport's CBD.
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DEVONPORT AQUATIC &
LEISURE CENTRE
AQUATIC CENTRE/ 12 minutes drive from Compass Hut
Recently upgraded, the Splash Devonport Aquatic Centre features both a 50-meter and 25-meter swimming pools, kids pool area, gym, shop, water-slide, and cafe.
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TURNERS BEACH
BEACH/ 14 minutes drive from Compass Hut
One of the best swimming beaches on the North-West Coast, this beach is a short fourteen-minute drive from Compass Hut. While you're nearby, visit the local cafes' in the area, just minutes down the road.
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Fondly called Tasmania's outside art-gallery, this cute country town is full of quirky shops, outside murals and art galleries. Also well-known for its annual painting competition, Mural Fest, which attracts international artists. This is a popular tourist destination and is only a 25-minute drive from Compass Hut.
SHEFFIELD MURALS
ART GALLERIES & MURALS/ 25 minutes drive from Compass Hut
ART GALLERIES
Regional Art Gallery l Devonport
Distance from Compass Hut: 14 minutes drive
Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 4:45 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 7:30 am - 2 pm
TROWUNNA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
TASMANIAN WILDLIFE/ 51 minutes drive from Compass Hut
TASMANIAN WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES / PARKS
Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary l Mole Creek
Distance from Compass Hut: 51 minutes drive
Open daily: 9 am - 5 pm
Devils @ Cradle l Cradle Mountain
Distance from Compass Hut: 68 minutes drive
Open daily: 9:30 am - 10 pm
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LITTLE PENGUINS at LILLICO
TASMANIAN WILDLIFE/ 11 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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MARAKOOPA CAVE
CAVE TOURS/ 51 minutes drive from Compass Hut
CAVE & CANYON TOURS
Mole Creek Caves l Mole Creek
Marakoopa Cave & King Solomons Cave
Distance from Compass Hut: 51 minutes drive
Open daily. See their website for tour times and bookings.
Adults $19, Children $9.50 & under 4 free
Cradle Mountain Canyons l Cradle Mountain
Distance from Compass Hut: 65 minutes drive
Open daily: 8 am - 7 pm
TOURS
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Cradle Country Adventures l Horse Riding
Narawntapu National Park & Cradle Mountain
Distance from Compass Hut: 38 minutes drive/ 65 minutes
Open daily: 9 am - 7 pm
Cradle Mountain Helicopters l Helicopter tours
Cradle Mountain
Distance from Compass Hut: 65 minutes drive
TASMANIAN ARBORETUM
GARDENS
3 minutes drive from Compass Hut
GARDENS & MAZES
Tasmanian Arboretum
Distance from Compass Hut: 3 minutes drive
Open daily: 9 am - 8 pm
Tasmazia & The Villages of Lower Crackpot (Cafe & Gift Shop) l Sheffield
Distance from Compass Hut: 28 minutes drive
Open daily: 9 am - 4 pm
Purple House Mazes l Forth
Distance from Compass Hut: 5 minutes drive
Via Purple House Wellness Centre.
Wychwood Garden l Mole Creek
Distance from Compass Hut: 45 minutes drive
HISTORIC SITES
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STANLEY
SHORT WALKS & HISTORIC SITES/
1hour: 35 minutes drive from Compass Hut
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HIGHFIELD HISTORIC SITE
HISTORIC SITE/ 1hour: 35 minutes drive from Compass Hut
WELLNESS
Purple House Natural Therapies
Distance from Compass Hut: 5 minutes drive
Open weekdays (closed weekends): 9 am - 5 pm
Waldheim Alpine Spa l Cradle Mountain
Distance from Compass Hut: 68 minutes drive
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 8 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8 am - 10 pm
VINEYARDS & DISTILLERIES
VINEYARDS
Ghost Rock Wines l Restaurant & Cellar Door
Distance from Compass Hut: 22 minutes drive
Open daily. 11 am - 5 pm
La Villa Wines
Distance from Compass Hut: 11 minutes drive
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
WHISKEY & GIN
Southern Wild Distillery l Devonport
Distance from Compass Hut: 14 minutes drive
Monday - Thursday: 12 noon - 6 pm
Friday - Saturday: 12 noon - 10 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
Hellyers Road Distillery l Burnie
Distance from Compass Hut: 34 minutes drive
Open daily: 10 am - 4:30 pm