LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
NATURAL,
GEOLOGICAL WONDERS
NEAR COMPASS HUT
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Five spectacular natural attractions surround Compass Hut, each rising from a landscape of rich volcanic soils and offering breathtaking scenic vistas. These iconic sites are well worth exploring during your stay.
Words & Photography by Kylie Bell
15-minutes drive
from Compass Hut
1. MOUNT ROLAND
Rising proudly as a natural custodian over a lush blanket of undulating, picturesque countryside, the idyllic Kentish region wraps itself around the base of this impressive mountain. With its crinkled silhouette, light and shadow dance evocatively across the mountain’s striking form throughout the day and across the seasons—shifting from silvery greys to rich hues of purple at sundown. Beloved by locals, tree-changers, and travellers alike, this iconic peak draws visitors into the region; it can be seen for kilometres, even down to the coast, and lies just a 15–20 minute drive from Compass Hut. It dramatically emerges from the landscape along the scenic route to Sheffield—the town of murals.
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This towering formation is a fusion of quartzite, chert, sandstone, and reef quartz. For those who conquer its summit on the rewarding six-hour return hike, it offers some of the most breathtaking views in northern Tasmania—stretching up and down the coast and across the Central Plateau, where Cradle Mountain and the Overland Track unfold in the distance. Alternatively, you can admire its ever-changing presence from multiple vantage points as you explore the Kentish landscape, following in the footsteps of the many artists who have been captivated by its geological grandeur and evocative persona.
2. DON HEADS
5-minutes drive
from Compass Hut
Unlike anything else in Tasmania, this striking site offers a glimpse into the volcanic heart of the Central North Coast, just a 5-minute drive from Compass Hut. Once shaped by ancient volcanic activity, the idyllic farmland here is layered with rich basalt soils—formed from eruptions that unfolded over millennia. Upon arrival, visitors can hop across the peculiar hexagonal columnar jointing, in sync with the rhythm of waves gently pawing at the nearby shoreline. Just around the headland, past the rush of wind-bent grasses, this extraordinary geological formation rises almost shoulder-height—an awe-inspiring natural sculpture. Deep charcoal in texture and seemingly frozen mid-flow like twisting lava, the rock is flecked with red and orange lichen, as if someone had dusted it in passing—like a charcoal cauliflower come to life.
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At night, during low tide, visitors might find themselves tap-dancing around the tiny footprints of little penguins, who nest here and call this scenic stretch of coast their home.
3. KING SOLOMONS CAVE
Impressively epic, King Solomons Cave invites you to descend into the earth’s underbelly and explore a cool, ancient labyrinth—a dry cave that serves as a time capsule of limestone formations millions of years in the making. Hidden beneath the foothills of the Great Western Tiers—the northern gateway to the Central Highlands and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness—this cave system reveals vast cavernous chambers and narrow, twisting passageways that thrill the adventurous spirit. It's a subterranean world of delicate formations, frozen in time, and even whispered tales of mystery and legend.
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Emerge from King Solomons Cave reluctantly? Fear not—just a stone’s throw away awaits Marakoopa Cave, offering a striking contrast. This wetter cave system is home to one of Australia’s largest glowworm colonies, lighting the darkness with an eerie, magical luminescence. Lavish in their cool, slightly yeasty interiors, both caves are alive with flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites, and countless other wonders—each a chapter in Tasmania’s deep geological story.
4. CRADLE MOUNTAIN
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Tasmania’s natural icon, Cradle Mountain, with its jagged peaks, alpine lakes, buttongrass plains, and tarn-dotted landscapes, draws visitors from across the globe. And delightfully, it sits right in the back pocket of our beautiful region—just a 60-minute drive away. The journey itself is one of the most scenic and dynamic road trips in Tasmania, winding through the idyllic Kentish region. You’ll pass rolling farmland, wave to the majestic Mount Roland (mentioned above), weave through temperate rainforest, and rise into the ochre-hued beauty of the Central Highlands—perhaps grabbing a coffee just a stone’s throw past Lemonthyme along the way.
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This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site offers something for everyone: from short walks to full-day hikes, summit trails, helicopter flights, and canyoning adventures to something slower-paced, like sipping hot chocolate or enjoying a hearty meal at the lodge perched on the edge of the national park. It’s also the launch point for the famous Overland Track, where trekkers take their first exhilarating steps on a multi-day journey through Tasmania’s wild heart.
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With Compass Hut just a short drive from this awe-inspiring destination, you can soak up the best of both worlds: the raw beauty of alpine wilderness paired with the comforts of nearby vineyards, farm-to-table eateries, boutique restaurants, and easy access to the Spirit of Tasmania.
5. LEVEN CANYON FLOOR TRACK
A true hidden gem, the Leven Canyon Floor Track quickly immerses visitors in one of the most surprising chasms of the Central North’s evocative landscape—a place where towering mountains dramatically meet rolling countryside. While most visitors admire the canyon from high above at the lookouts, the real magic awaits those who cheekily and exuberantly follow the trail down to the river below.
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Here, the ravine opens further, revealing stratified layers of ancient rock and a series of idyllic pools nestled along the Leven River. The water glimmers peacefully in dappled sunlight, and if you're lucky, you might spot a platypus drifting lazily through the stillness. The trail meanders in both directions, tracing rocky outcrops and riverbanks as the Leven carries water from the Central Highlands down to the coast.
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Winding through forest and stone, it’s a place that feels both intimate and wild—so quiet and untouched, it’s no wonder a few shy platypuses have claimed it as their own private swimming spot.
