National Parks and Reserves

Tarn Shelf is a walk in Mount Field National Park.

5-7 hour circuit, 12 km. Grade 3.

The Tarn Shelf contains a picturesque series of small glacial lakes. This is a long circuit walk that takes in the Tarn Shelf, Lake Newdegate, Twilight Tarn and Lake Webster. The walk takes you across the Tarn Shelf, returning via the lower lakes. The tarns are often frozen in winter. Along the route take a break at the rustic Twilight Tarn hut – a relic from days gone by that contains skiing memorabilia from earlier decades.

The Tarn Shelf can also be accessed on a shorter, 3-hour return walk via a track that leaves from the ski fields. This walk passes a series of small glacial lakes and is particularly colourful in autumn when the deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii ) turns golden. Return via the same track to Lake Dobson.

Please refer to the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania website (parks.tas.gov.au) for up-to-date information about this walk, alerts, closures, safe walking guidelines, leave no trace principles and National Park entry fees where applicable.