Fernglade (Platypus Trail)

1km Return; Easy; Deep Water – Supervise Children.

The Fernglade Platypus trail is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. This walk is a short 500m each way and can be accessed from both of Fernglade’s carparks. The walk is an easy-grade, well maintained track that takes you past stunning tree-ferns up to a lookout over the Emu River half way along the walk. There is a very good chance that you may spot a wild platypus in the Emu river along this trail. Pademelons and native birds are also commonly seen and an array of Fungi is on display during Autumn.

The trail features new interactive display boards providing a wealth of information about the ressrve, its wildlife and much more. The display boards feature QR codes that link to video content including footage of our resident platypuses and talks given by noted friends of the reserve. Make sure to download a QR reader on your phone before exploring the track.

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Upper Carpark to Lookout

3km Return; Medium; Deep water, Cliffs – Supervise Children

Starting from the upper carpark at the second Fernglade turnoff, there is an old four-wheel drive track that can be followed for a more challenging walk. This walk takes you 1.5km each way, along the banks of the Emu River, through Eucalypt forest up to a stunning outlook over the Southern parts of Fernglade reserve. After descending to meet the river, the clearly defined path leads up to a turnoff that is clearly marked 'Lookout' to the right. Follow this foot track about 300m up through the forest to the lookout, then re-trace your steps back to the carpark.