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Styx Tall Trees Walk – Where to See Tasmanian Giant Trees

Styx Tall Trees Walk – Where to See Tasmanian Giant Trees

A quick guide to seeing the Tasmanian Giant Trees on the Styx Tall Trees Walk. Includes everything you need to know about getting to the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area, what to expect and photography from my visit.

Many people visit Tasmania to witness one of the last, truly wild places on earth. A visit to the Southern Forests of Tasmania allows you a glimpse of some of the tallest and biggest trees in the Southern Hemisphere.

One of the best places to see some of Tasmania’s largest trees is the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area. The Styx is a very recently-added forest reserve that came as a result of a bitter but successful activism campaign. This site now protects some of the world’s tallest flowering trees, some of which are taller than 90 metres and have a girth of over 20 metres.

In this guide, I’ll aim to give you a better understanding of where to see the Tasmanian giant trees on the Styx Tall Trees walk. I’ll also include everything you need to know about getting here, what to expect, and some information about these colossal wonders.

STYX FOREST

Where to See Tasmanian Giant Trees?

While there are several places to see Tasmanian giant trees, the Styx Tall Trees walk is in my opinion, the best. That's because this small reserve is home to several giant trees accessible on an easy, boarded walk in lush Tasmanian Rainforest.

The Styx is also located in relative proximity to Hobart, making getting here easier than other tall tree forest reserves in Tassie.


MORE TALL TASMANIAN TREES: White Knights Walk at Evercreech Forest Reserve


What Species are the Tasmanian Giant Trees?

The largest trees in Tasmania are known as Eucalyptus regnans, or Mountain Ash (also Swamp Gum and Stringy Gum). This is the species that dominate the list of largest trees at the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area. In fact, the Eucalyptus regnan is the largest flowering plant in the world and the tallest species of tree in the Southern Hemisphere. The largest tree species is the Coast Redwood, or Sequoia sempervirens, the tallest of which (115.92 metres) is found in the Redwood forests of California.

The tallest of all the Tasmanian giant trees is Centurion, another Eucalyptus regnan standing over 100.5 metres tall (third tallest tree in the world). However, this tree is located further south in Tasmania and locals don't like to reveal the exact location to help protect the site.

Don't worry though, Tasmanians will welcome you to visit the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area to admire many 500+-year-old trees that are just a little shorter– their size will blow you away.

Eucalutps Regnans are straight-trunked trees with smooth, grey bark. However, the base often has a stocking of rough, brown bark. The leaves are lance-shaped and glossy green.

TASMANIAN GIANT TREES IN THE STYX VALLEY

About the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area

Unfortunately, much of the Styx Forest is and has been dedicated to logging. However, after a long campaign organised by dedicated volunteers, the areas housing the largest trees in the forest were incorporated into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

There are a few sections of the Styx Forest Reserve where you can see large trees. These include the Styx Big Tree Reserve, Tolkien Grove and the Outer Styx Valley.

However, if you're visiting the area to see some of the largest Tasmanian giant trees on a short walk, I'd recommend just stopping by the Styx Tall Trees Walk (Styx Big Tree Reserve).

This area is incredibly beautiful and one of the world's most carbon-dense forests. The canopy reaches over 90 metres and shadows a lush understorey of myrtles, man ferns and vibrant Tasmanian shrubs. The lifeline to this biodiverse forest is the Styx River, which runs a dark-red colour and delivers nutrients to the forest.

If you've visited Mount Field and you were impressed by the beauty of the forest, do yourself a favour and check out the Styx. This is a beautiful representation of ancient growth forests in Tasmania that is much wilder than Mount Field National Park.

STYX BIG TREES FOREST RESERVE

RELATED POST: Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk in Mount Field National Park


How to Get Here

There are two roads into the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area. However, only one is accessible to the public since the other is a private logging road. Therefore, to get here, you'll need to first head to Maydena on Gordon River Road. Don't make the mistake of coming in from near Westerway. There is often a locked gate blocking access further down the road.

  • Google Maps Pin: "Big Tree Forest Reserve"

Just past Maydena heading west, you'll see a dirt road called "Styx Road", an unsealed and bumpy road. Don't worry too much though, we managed in our big campervan so most vehicles shouldn't have any trouble.

Once onto Styx Road, continue for another 14 kilometres before reaching a signpost for the Big Tree Forest Reserve. There is adequate parking on the side of the road for cars and vans. This is the starting point for the Styx Tall Trees Walk where you can see some of the most giant trees in Tasmania.

Map showing the location of Styx Tall Trees Reserve in Tasmania
sunset on a winding road in Tasmania

Car Rentals in Tasmania

Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years.

Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using RentalCars.com in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.

(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).

Spotting Tasmanian Giant Trees on the Styx Tall Trees Walk (Big Tree Forest Reserve)

  • Hiking Distance: 1 kilometre loop
  • Duration: 20-30 minutes
  • Elevation: Mostly flat
  • Difficulty: Very easy

As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of Tasmanian giant trees in the Styx. But, visitors will find some of the biggest and most accessible on the Styx Tall Trees Walk. This walk is a short forest loop with boarded sections. The track is mostly flat and very easy to navigate. There are toilets and information boards at the trailhead.

STYX TALL TREES WALK

This track is a circuit loop that passes some of the tallest giant trees in Tasmania. Some of the largest trees are in a clearing approximately halfway along the track. Keep an eye out for wooden plaques which will tell you the names of some of the biggest trees.

The largest trees are "Big Tree" and the rivalling "Bigger Tree", The Devil's Pitchfork and the Chapel Tree.

EUCALYPTUS REGNANS, TALLEST TREES IN TASMANIA
TALL TREES WALK IN THE STYX
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Continuing onto the Styx River Walk

On the other side of Styx Road, opposite the trailhead for the Big Trees Walk, is another beautiful short walk leading to the Styx River. This track is an out-and-back track that is also very easy and flat. This forest walk is incredible and provides visitors with views of the river in three different spots.

While you won't find many Tasmanian giant trees on this walk, it's possible to continue on to Tolkien Grove from here. Be mindful however that the tracks after the river walk are community-carved and often a little overgrown.

STYX RIVER TASMANIA
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More Tasmanian Travel & Adventure Guides

I hope that this guide has proven useful to you in planning your trip to the Styx Tall Trees Conservation Area to see Tasmanian Giant Trees. For more travel and adventure guides to Tasmania, make sure to check out some of my other articles below.

Daniel Mckiernan

Wednesday 19th of January 2022

Would the 1k loop be accessible via wheel chair an a little walking? My wife has limited mobility on her right side is able to walk for short periods. Any further info would be greatly appreciated. Regards Daniel

Olly Gaspar

Saturday 22nd of January 2022

Hi Daniel,

It's hard for me to say for the whole loop but the ramp to the first large tree is wheelchair accessible.

Morag

Monday 4th of October 2021

We’re not super fit but enjoy the majesty of such beautiful trees and Forrest so your guide is most helpful. We plan to visit in Feb22 and see what we can, have saved your page for future reference - thank you 🙏

Olly Gaspar

Tuesday 5th of October 2021

Hi Morag,

You'll love this one then! I've got loads more articles on Tas just like this one, check them out, I hope they're useful for your trip in Feb.