Ben Lomond National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Ben Lomond National Park is in Eastern Tasmania. It's one of Tasmania's oldest national parks and contains one of two skifields in Tasmania.

Ben Lomond was declared a National Park and Scenic Reserve in July 1947.

Ben Lomond is Tasmania's only downhill skiing area. It offers skiing from approximately July to September (check the snow report [1]) and day walks in summer.

According to Tasmania's Parks & Wildlife Service, Ben Lomond National Park is invaluable for the conservation of the flora communities and species diversity of Tasmania's alpine areas.

• Park website

Located 50 km south-east of Launceston, Ben Lomond National Park is accessible via the Blessington Road (C401) near Upper Blessington. Wheel chains must be carried between June and September - they are not available on the mountain, but can be rented or purchased from outlets in major centres.

If travelling at night, please watch out for native animals!

During the ski season McDermott's Coaches provide a daily shuttle service to and from Launceston. http://www.mcdermotts.com.au/

Also, a shuttle bus service runs from the snowline to the top car park daily within season. The service starts from around 9AM daily in season and is a great option if you prefer to leave the snow chains at home. (Adults $12, child/concession $8).

Map of Ben Lomond National Park

To enter any national park in Tasmania, you'll need to have a valid park pass to enter the park, which can be found on the Parks Tasmania website. There are numerous passes available, depending on your needs. The fees are up-to-date as of February 2024.

A Daily Pass is usually valid for 24 hours and is usable in all parks, although it does not include access to Cradle Mountain. This is particularly useful if you're going to numerous nearby parks. A pass for your vehicle covers up to 8 occupants; you only need the per-person pass if you arrive outside a vehicle.

• Per vehicle: $44.75.
• Per person (≥5 years): $22.35.

If you stay in Tasmania for a few weeks and want to visit several national parks, the Holiday Pass is valid for up to two months. This also includes Cradle Mountain.

• Per vehicle: $89.50.
• Per person (≥5 years): $44.75.

There is also the Annual Park Pass, which is valid in all parks, including Cradle Mountain.

• $95.30 in general.
• $76.25 for concession holders.
• $38.10 for seniors.

If you only plan to frequently revisit one park for 12 months, it costs $48.70 for a regular adult and $38.95 for concession holders. This excludes Cradle Mountain.

Passes can either be purchased through passes.parks.tas.gov.au, in any national park visitor centre, some travel information centres, onboard Spirit of Tasmania vessels, and Service Tasmania centres.

• Hiking. There are two cross country ski routes which are also used as walking routes. They are not formed trails but are marked by snow poles. 
  • Carr Villa to Alpine Village: This walk takes approximately 1.5 hours one way with steep gradients up the side of the plateau. The route takes you up onto the plateau and then along the plateau to the highest point.
  • Alpine Village to Little Hell: This walk takes about 1.5 hours return. From the top of Little Hell there are views across the southern part of the plateau to Stacks Bluff.
• . Rock climbing. 
• Ben Lomond Snow Sports, ☏ +61 3 6390 6185. Offers skis, snowboards, poles, boots, helmets, clothing, and toboggans for hire during snow season. 
• Storys Creek to Stacks Bluff Walk. For a more challenging walk, enter the park from the southern end at Storys Creek near Rossarden. 

Only places to eat at the hotels.

• Creek Inn, ☏ +61 3 6390 6199. Has six rooms $170 a double, $40 extra adult, $20 extra child. (updated Sep 2021)
• Ben Lomond Alpine Village. (updated Sep 2021)

• Launceston