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Hiking Guide to the Collins Cap Walk & Myrtle Forest Falls

Hiking Guide to the Collins Cap Walk & Myrtle Forest Falls

A comprehensive hiking guide to the Collins Cap Walk, Myrtle Forest Walk and the scenic Myrtle Forest Falls. Everything you need to know with photos to inspire your trip.

Collins Cap is a mountain peak located within Wellington Park, just outside of Collinsvale, Tasmania. The short yet steep hike up to Collins Cap is extremely rewarding and can be completed by almost anyone with a decent level of fitness.

In this guide, I’ll outline everything you need to know to hike to the top of Collins Cap, including the beautiful Myrtle Forest Walk and a stop at Myrtle Forest Falls along the way.

How to Get to Collins Cap Trailhead

Collins Cap trailhead begins at the Myrtle Forest Walk track just outside of Collinsvale, Tasmania. Expect a roughly 24.5 kilometre (40 minute) drive from Hobart. The best way to get here is to enter the pin below (it's accurate) into google maps.

But, essentially you'll want to head towards Collinsvale on Collinsvale Road, before continuing onto Springdale Road at the fork. Continue on Springdale Road for a few minutes before you reach a signed turn onto Myrtle Forest Road (unsealed). Continue on Myrtle Forest Road all the way to the end, where you will reach a dedicated car park large enough to accommodate roughly 10-12 vehicles.

Myrtle Forest Road is unsealed but in fairly good condition. Although, there is little room to pull over if there is any oncoming traffic so make sure to take it slow. We managed the trip in our big campervan with absolutely no trouble.

Map of Collin's Cap 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).

The Collins Cap Walk

  • Hiking Distance: 8.2 km return
  • Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours return
  • Elevation: 660 metres total elevation gain |
    Collins Cap: 1098 metres AMSL
  • Difficulty: Moderate
COLLINS CAP TRAIL
MUSHROOM ON THE COLLINS CAP TRACK, MYRTLE FOREST
MUSHROOM ON THE COLLINS CAP TRACK, MYRTLE FOREST
MYRTLE FOREST FALLS, TASMANIAN WATERFALL

The First Section: Myrtle Forest Walk

The track leading to Collins Cap begins on the Myrtle Forest Walk, a popular and very easy track that is a favourite for families. The first stretch of the walk seems to follow an old road before reaching a small outoor seating area. Right next to this you will also find a couple of information boards and a signed entry into the forest.

MYRTLE FOREST WALK AND COLLINS CAP IN TASMANIA

As soon as you enter the Myrtle Forest, you will be surrounded by beautiful temperate rainforest and many twisting Myrtle trees that make this track so famous. The Myrtle Forest Walk track is fairly wide and mostly flat. Approximately 1.2 kilometres from the car park you will arrive at the multi-tiered Myrtle Forest Falls.

MYRTLE FOREST FALLS, TASMANIAN WATERFALL
MYRTLE FOREST FALLS

RELATED POSTS: 26 Awesome Things to do in Hobart Tasmania | 7 Waterfalls Near Hobart


Myrtle Forest Falls

Myrtle Forest Falls is a scenic little waterfall with a dedicated viewing platform above the bottom tier. Just ahead from the track is a small clearing where you will find the main attraction, a quaint cascade running down the roughly 5-metre face.

MYRTLE FOREST FALLS TASMANIA
MYRTLE FOREST FALLS TASMANIA
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Ascending Collins Cap

Immediately to the right of Myrtle Forest Falls, you will see the steep and narrow track marking the beginning of the next section on the Collins Cap walk. This also begins the climb and you will gain roughly 300 metres of elevation over the next 2 kilometres until you reach the fire trail just below Collins Cap. This isn't a difficult section by any means, just a little steep. This forested track is also well-maintained and there is firm undergrowth for the duration of the climb.

COLLINS CAP TRAIL
COLLINS CAP TRAIL
MYRTLE FOREST WALK

You will notice that there are a few gentle streams to cross and eventually you will come to a fork marking the way to Collins Bonnet. Take the right track here and continue ascending through the forest until you reach the cleared fire trail access road.

CREEK CROSSING ON THE COLLINS CAP TRAIL
FORK ON THE COLLINS CAP AND COLLINS BONNET TRACKS
Take the right track at the fork to Collins Bonnet

From here, you'll have excellent views of Collins Bonnet, the rocky 1246 metre peak on the other side of the valley. The final stretch on the Collins Cap begins on the other side of this fire trail. You will begin to climb the final kilometre to the peak, gaining around 160 kilometres as you traverse increasingly rocky ground.

COLLINS BONNET FROM THE COLLINS CAP TRAIL
WALKING UP COLLINS CAP FROM COLLINSVALE, TASMANIA
COLLINS CAP WALK TASMANIA
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RELATED POSTS: Mount Wellington Hike | Wellington Falls and the Disappearing Tarn


View From Collins Cap

The view from Collins Cap was one of my personal favourites in Wellington Park. In fact, the entire walk was probably my favourite due to the variety and natural beauty of the walk.

Once at the summit, there is a large cairn where you can rest your legs and admire the panoramic views of Collinsvale, Collins Bonnet, the lush Derwent Valley and the whole Mount Wellington plateau.

COLLINS CAP VIEW
COLLINS CAP SUMMIT
COLLINS CAP SUMMIT

Once you've soaked up the views, pack up and return back on the same track towards the car park for the Myrtle Forest Walk.

COLLINS CAP TRAIL
EUCALYPT FOREST IN TASMANIA
COLLINS CAP WALKING TRAIL

Where to Stay in Hobart

The area closest to most highlights in Hobart is called “Salamanca Place“. This area has great restaurants and bars and is close to the markets, wharf, museums and the Elizabeth Mall.

However, Hobart is a relatively small city of just over 200,000 and consequently, most accommodation options in the inner suburbs provide easy access to most of the highlights.

  • Best Mid-Range Hotel: The Rivulet - The Rivulet is an awesome 19th century, heritage-listed manor. It offers some of the best suites in Hobart without a ridiculous price tag.
  • Best Budget Hostel: Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse - For budget travellers and backpackers, Montacute is by far the best place to stay in Hobart. This is a great hostel that is ranked as having the best vibe in the city.
  • Best Luxury Accommodation: The Grand Chancellor - Centrally located on the waterfront overlooking Constitution Dock, the Grand Chancellor Hotel is one of the most prominent accommodation options in Hobart.
  • ...15+ More in this Complete Guide on Where to Stay in Hobart
HOBART HOTEL, THE GRAND CHANCELLOR LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

More Hikes & Adventure Activities in Tasmania

I hope that you have enjoyed this guide to hiking Collins Cap, the Myrtle Forest Walk and Myrtle Forest Falls. For more Tassie adventure inspiration including hikes, waterfalls, viewpoints and itinerary ideas, make sure to check out some of my other articles below.