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FOREST, FARMLAND, CAVES AND CANYON
A forested range behind Penguin and caves under the farmland at Gunns Plains. Follow the Leven River inland and you’ll reach a canyon almost 300 metres deep.
The Dial Range rises behind Penguin, with forest walks and mountain-bike trails leading inland from the coast. Walk through tree-fern gullies, climb to mountain views or ride the purpose-built trails near town.
From nearby Ulverstone, head into the Leven Valley for Gunns Plains Cave, wildlife encounters and cool-climate wine, then continue to Leven Canyon.
Choose one area for a shorter visit, or stay several days and take the range and the valley on separate outings.
Penguin and Ulverstone are the two coastal bases. Choose the one closest to what you want to see first.
COASTAL BASE
Penguin sits directly below the Dial Range and is the closest coastal base for its…Penguin sits directly below the Dial Range and is the closest coastal base for its bushwalking and mountain bike trails. Take in the foreshore, cafés and shops before heading inland to Ferndene State Reserve, Mount Montgomery or the Penguin Mountain Bike Park.
Penguin →
RIVER AND COAST
Ulverstone sits beside the Leven River and is a useful coastal base for Gunns Plains…Ulverstone sits beside the Leven River and is a useful coastal base for Gunns Plains and Leven Canyon. Take in the riverfront, Hive and town centre before heading inland into the Leven Valley.
Ulverstone →
Head inland
Follow the Leven River through Gunns Plains, where you can tour the limestone caves, visit…Follow the Leven River through Gunns Plains, where you can tour the limestone caves, visit Wings Wildlife Park and stop at Leven Valley Vineyard. Continue towards Leven Canyon, where short walks lead to two lookouts above the river.
The Dial Range
The Dial Range is a collection of forested peaks immediately inland from Penguin. Walking tracks pass through tree-fern gullies, tall eucalypt forest and drier slopes before reaching views across Bass Strait, the coastal towns and surrounding farmland. Choose an accessible forest walk, a shorter climb to a lookout or a longer half-day hike. Tracks begin from different trailheads, so decide which walk you want to complete before driving into the range. Some tracks are shared with mountain bikes.
ACCESSIBLE FOREST WALK
Start at the Ferndene State Reserve picnic area on Ironcliffe Road, south of Penguin. Follow…Start at the Ferndene State Reserve picnic area on Ironcliffe Road, south of Penguin. Follow the elevated boardwalk beside McBrides Creek through a cool forest of tall tree ferns. The accessible section finishes at a viewing platform with seating. Visitors wanting to continue can follow the track towards Brownings and Thorsbys historic mining tunnels. Ferndene also has picnic facilities and toilets, making it an easy first stop in the range.
See Ferndene State Reserve →
SHORT SUMMIT WALK
Start at Mount Gnomon car park on Ironcliffe Road. Allow approximately one hour for the…Start at Mount Gnomon car park on Ironcliffe Road. Allow approximately one hour for the two-kilometre return walk. The Grade 3 track climbs steeply to views across the southern Dial Range and towards Mount Roland. The summit has an unfenced cliff edge, so keep children close.
Mount Gnomon information →
COASTAL VIEWS
Start at Mount Montgomery car park on Montgomery Road, inland from Penguin. The Mount Montgomery…Start at Mount Montgomery car park on Montgomery Road, inland from Penguin. The Mount Montgomery track climbs through eucalypt woodland to a summit overlooking Penguin, Ulverstone, surrounding farms and Bass Strait. Allow approximately two hours for the five-kilometre return walk. The Grade 3 track includes rough and steep sections, and parts are shared with mountain bikes.
Mount Montgomery information →
HALF-DAY WALK
Mount Duncan is the highest peak in the Dial Range. From Mount Gnomon car park,…Mount Duncan is the highest peak in the Dial Range. From Mount Gnomon car park, follow the Tall Trees Track through changing forest before climbing to the summit. Allow approximately four hours for the eight-kilometre return walk. Mount Dial has several approaches. The route from Mount Montgomery car park is approximately 8.2 kilometres return and takes four to five hours. A shorter route from Mount Gnomon car park is approximately 4.2 kilometres return and takes two hours.
All Dial Range Walks →
The Penguin Mountain Bike Park sits approximately two kilometres inland from Penguin and provides more than six kilometres of purpose-built trails.
Beginner and intermediate cross-country trails, a skills area and more advanced features make the park suitable for riders with different levels of experience.
More experienced riders can continue from the park into the Dial Range, including the Iron Tor trail and Montgomery Loop. These routes have a more natural, backcountry character and require greater fitness, experience and preparation.
Gunns Plains sits in the Leven Valley, approximately 30 minutes inland from Ulverstone. Tour limestone chambers beneath the farmland, meet wildlife beside the river or taste wine overlooking the valley. Choose a cave tour and another nearby stop for a shorter visit, or allow a full day for the wildlife park and surrounding countryside.
Mr. Bill Woodhouse entered Gunns Plains Cave in 1906 after a hunting trip and discovered a series of caverns and short passages through which visitors are escorted along…
Wings Wildlife Park is a multi-award winning family owned business and displays the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife in Australia. Located less than a one-hour drive from the…
The Leven Valley Vineyard takes in the panoramic views of the Leven River and surrounds at picturesque Gunns Plains. The rustic cellar door showcases true cool climate Chardonnay,…
Look into Leven Canyon
The Leven River has cut through steep, forested country to create a canyon almost 300 metres deep. A 1.2-kilometre circuit connects Cruickshanks Lookout and Edge Lookout. Cruickshanks provides a broad view from approximately 275 metres above the river, while Edge Lookout gives a closer perspective into the canyon. Allow approximately 45 minutes for the complete Grade 3 circuit. A steep staircase connects the two lookouts. To avoid the stairs, walk to Cruickshanks Lookout and return along the same track. The reserve has parking, toilets, picnic tables and barbecues.
Plan your Leven Canyon walk
Make local food part of your coast-to-country journey. The Ulverstone to Penguin Mini Trail connects producers, cellar doors and farm experiences, with stops in the surrounding countryside.
Follow the complete trail over two days or choose a few stops to combine with your walks and sightseeing.
How long should you allow?
Choose a Dial Range walk, or visit Gunns Plains for a booked cave tour and another nearby stop.
Choose between a wildlife day or a caves-to-canyon drive.
Spend most of the day at Wings Wildlife Park, or combine a booked Gunns Plains Cave tour with Leven Valley Vineyard before continuing to the Leven Canyon lookouts.
Trying to include the cave, wildlife park, vineyard and canyon in one day will feel rushed.
Stay on the coast and head out in separate directions. Use one day for the Dial Range and Penguin, then spend another travelling through Gunns Plains to Leven Canyon. Add more time for longer walks, mountain biking or the complete Tasting Trail.
Choose a base
Penguin and Ulverstone provide the widest choice of accommodation, food, fuel and everyday services. Accommodation is more limited inland, with small rural stays and camping available around Gunns Plains, Riana and the surrounding countryside. Wings Wildlife Park also offers accommodation and camping. Book ahead during school holidays and busy touring periods.
Kaydale Lodge Gardens is an amazing two-hectare garden and features country house accommodation with old-style farm hospitality. It is open for morning/afternoon teas and light lunches. The in-house…
This is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering. Rivers Edge is located on 24 acres of forest on…
Wing’s Wildlife Park is Tasmania’s only wildlife park with accommodation on site. Situated in Gunns Plains on the banks of the Leven River, just 23 km south of…
Reach Penguin and Ulverstone from the Bass Highway, then choose your inland route.
Head inland from Penguin for Ferndene and the Dial Range walks and mountain-bike trails. Choose…Head inland from Penguin for Ferndene and the Dial Range walks and mountain-bike trails. Choose your starting point before leaving town, as the tracks begin at different car parks. The final approach to Mount Gnomon car park includes an unsealed section.
Travel inland from Ulverstone into the Leven Valley for Gunns Plains Cave, Wings Wildlife Park…Travel inland from Ulverstone into the Leven Valley for Gunns Plains Cave, Wings Wildlife Park and Leven Valley Vineyard, then continue to Leven Canyon. Allow time for your chosen tours, stops and walks alongside the drive.
The Dial Range and Leven Valley can be reached from Penguin or Ulverstone, but inland roads can be narrow and winding. Some walking-track and attraction car parks have limited space for larger vehicles.
Caravan parks and designated camping areas are available on the coast and inland. Confirm that your chosen site can accommodate your complete vehicle combination.
Where possible, leave your caravan at your accommodation and get around with the tow vehicle. If travelling by motorhome, choose stops with suitable access and room to park.
Stock up on fuel and groceries before heading inland. Public RV dump points are available in Ulverstone and Penguin.
Download maps and booking details before you leave and also when going to Wild Mersey MTB trails.
Book your Gunns Plains Cave tour and Leven Valley Vineyard before planning the rest of the day.
Bring drinking water, food, suitable footwear and warm, waterproof layers. Conditions can change in the ranges and at Leven Canyon. Check pet restrictions for each reserve or attraction, and watch for wildlife on rural roads, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Stock up on fuel and groceries on the coast.
The area
Plot your way from the Dial Range to the coast and the inland attractions. Filter the map by where to stay, what to see and where to eat.
The Dial Range is immediately inland from Penguin on Tasmania’s North West Coast. Different roads and trailheads provide access to Ferndene, Mount Gnomon, Mount Montgomery and the range’s longer walks.
No. The Dial Range contains several state reserves and other managed land rather than one national park. Different rules can apply across the range, so follow signs and current Parks advice.
Visitors can bushwalk, mountain bike, visit Ferndene State Reserve and climb several peaks for views across the coast and surrounding countryside.
The accessible boardwalk at Ferndene State Reserve is the easiest option. It follows McBrides Creek beneath tall tree ferns to a viewing platform with seating.
Mount Montgomery provides views over the coastal towns, farmland and Bass Strait. Mount Duncan also offers coastal views, while Mount Gnomon looks across the southern range towards Mount Roland.
Yes, but only on designated mountain-bike and shared-use tracks. The Penguin Mountain Bike Park provides purpose-built trails and connects experienced riders with longer routes in the Dial Range.
Gunns Plains is in the Leven Valley, approximately 30 minutes inland from Ulverstone. The area is known for its cave, wildlife park, vineyard, farmland and riverside camping.
Allow at least half a day for a cave tour and one other attraction. Allow a full day if you plan to continue to Preston Falls and Leven Canyon.
The cave entrance has a steep flight of stairs, and the tour includes a short ladder. Tasmania Parks advises that the tour is unsuitable for people with health or mobility concerns.
The complete circuit is 1.2 kilometres and takes approximately 45 minutes. It connects Cruickshanks and Edge lookouts and includes a steep staircase.
Yes. Walk to Cruickshanks Lookout and return by the same track. The staircase is only required when completing the full circuit between the two lookouts.
The main roads are sealed, but sections can be narrow and winding and some attraction car parks may not suit large combinations. It is generally easier to leave the caravan at an established site and get around with the tow vehicle.
Yes. Bannons Park provides short-stay camping for self-contained vehicles, and Wings Wildlife Park has camping and accommodation. Conditions, fees and booking requirements vary.
Reception may be limited or unavailable in parts of the Dial Range, Gunns Plains and around Leven Canyon. Download maps and visitor information before leaving the coast.
Make it a trip
