Alum Cliffs Track

The Alum Cliffs Track runs north from Kingston Beach along the clifftops above the Derwent Estuary, and Kingborough Council rates it an 8 km return trip. Dogs are allowed on lead the whole way, which makes it one of the better long coastal walks near Hobart you can do with a dog.

The walk. The track climbs from Tyndall Beach through coastal blue gum forest and tall silver banksias, winds up into silver peppermint bushland, dips into a fern-filled gully, then rises onto headlands with open views over Storm Bay and the Derwent Estuary. Council calls it a half-day walk. AllTrails walkers log about 7.1 km in around two and a half hours. It is a return trip rather than a loop, so you can turn back at any headland and still get the view.

The rules. Kingborough Council manages the track and the policy is short: dogs allowed on lead. Bikes and horses are not permitted, so it is walkers and dogs only. Stay on the marked route.

Hazards. The track is narrow with steep edges in places, and Council specifically flags that care is needed at those points. For some dogs this is the deciding fact of the page. A dog that pulls hard is a real risk on a narrow clifftop bench, so a short lead and a harness beat a retractable here.

Getting there. Start at the northern end of Kingston Beach, where there are toilets, picnic facilities and parking. Further entrances along the route at Tyndall Road, Harpers Road and Taronga Road let you walk a shorter section. Metro bus 427 runs through Kingston Beach and along the Channel Highway to Taroona and the city, so a one-way walk is possible if your dog travels well on a bus.

Nearby with the dogs. The track connects with the Brickfields Track and links to the Boronia Beach Track via a short stroll along Kingston Beach. For a proper off-lead run at either end, Kingston View Drive Fenced Dog Park and Taroona Dog Park are both fenced. Waterview Gardens B&B at Margate is the closest listed pet-friendly stay.

When to go. Mid-morning on a weekday, or early on a weekend. Weekends bring walkers, runners and other dogs onto a track that is narrow in sections, and passing is far easier with fewer people about. Good for big runners with sound lead manners.

Sources

• Alum Cliffs Track - Greater Hobart Trails (Kingborough Council) · greaterhobarttrails.com.au
• Kingborough Council · kingborough.tas.gov.au
• Alum Cliffs Track - AllTrails · alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.