National Parks and Reserves

Kelly Basin is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The 60 Great Short Walks offer the best of Tasmania’s day walking opportunities.

3-4 hours return, 10.8km return. Grade 3.

It’s hard to believe that 1,000 people once lived in the former mining town of East Pillinger, near Kelly Basin. The site of the old town is now overgrown with lush, mossy forest, and only some rusting mining equipment and ruined buildings remain. The walk in, which is close to the beautiful Bird River for much of the time, follows the line of an old railway that once serviced the mine. Old sleepers and the remains of rail bridges are reminders of this. Return via the same track.

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