Region
Huon and Far South
Base in Huonville or Cygnet and drive out; the far south is a day-trip, not a place to sleep.
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Key facts · Australia
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD, A$)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- I · 230 V
- Time zone
- UTC+10 east
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
The Huon and Far South is Australia's southernmost inhabited corner: an orchard valley along the Huon River, then a thin road running south to Southport and Recherche Bay. Almost everyone sleeps in Huonville or Cygnet and drives. Roads look short on the map and take longer than you expect — 25 km from Geeveston to the Hartz Mountains can take 40 minutes. Give it two nights as a Hobart side-trip, three if you want a full day in the mountains.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Huonville or Cygnet 2 nights; one day south to Geeveston and the Hartz Mountains, one day Franklin and the coast
- 3 nights
- Add a full day for Hastings Caves and a slow drive to Southport and Recherche Bay
- Distances are short but times are not: plan extra time for winding roads, and never at night — wildlife on the road and poor visibility.
- Temperatures rarely pass 20 °C (68 °F) even in summer; snow is possible in the mountains from April to October.Temperatures rarely pass 68 °F (20 °C) even in summer; snow is possible in the mountains from April to October.
- Fuel and food thin out south of Huonville; fill up before you head south.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartz Mountains National Park | Geeveston | 40 min | unknown | 25 km (16 mi) of winding road; snow possible outside summer. Check road and park conditions before setting out.16 mi (25 km) of winding road; snow possible outside summer. Check road and park conditions before setting out. |
| Hastings Caves and thermal springs | Huonville | 75 min | unknown | Cave access is by guided tour only; book ahead in summer. |
| Southport and Recherche Bay | Huonville | 60 min | unknown | About an hour on the Huon Highway; the last 30 km (19 mi) to Recherche Bay takes 40–45 min.About an hour on the Huon Highway; the last 19 mi (30 km) to Recherche Bay takes 40–45 min. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding is not a thing here; you drive your own bags. If you are hiking the South Coast Track, arrange pack transport or a food drop with the flight operator before you fly to Melaleuca.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huon Valley and far south coastSouth of 43°S, no landmass blocking Antarctic air | ok | ok | ok | cool | cool | cold | cold | cold | cool | ok | ok | ok |
- Huon Valley and far south coast
- Cool and changeable all year; the warmest months are also the driest and busiest. Expect single-digit mornings even in summer.
Best months are roughly November to April. Winter is quiet, wet and cold, and mountain roads can close with snow.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Huonville | Drive via the Southern Outlet and Huon Highway (A6) | 35–40 min | The only practical way in. The road is a good 2+1 between Kingston and Huonville, then two lanes with few overtaking spots. |
| Hobart airport (HBA) | Huonville | Rental car via Hobart | ~1 h | Pick up the car at the airport; there is no direct public transport to the valley. |
| Melaleuca (Southwest National Park) | South Coast Track | Light aircraft, then a multi-day hike | check | The one arrival without a car; walkers fly in and hike out. Book flights and check conditions well ahead. |
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Apples, pears, cherries and berries | Orchards and farm gates around Huonville and Cygnet | The valley grows about a tenth of Australia's apples; pick-your-own runs mainly December to April. |
| Fish and chips | Bayside towns further south | Better the closer you get to the coast; kitchens close early, often by 19:30–20:00.Better the closer you get to the coast; kitchens close early, often by 7:30 PM–8:00 PM. |
| Cider and cool-climate wine | Cygnet and the Huon Valley | Cellar doors keep short hours; check before driving out. |
Go next
Greater Hobart
plannedHuon Highway north, 35–40 min to Huonville
The only road link out of the region.
Tasman and South East
plannedBack through Hobart, then east
Pairs well with a Port Arthur day.
Derwent Valley
plannedVia Hobart, ~1 h 30 to New Norfolk
Mount Field waterfalls and the road toward the west.
Western Tasmania
Long drive via the Lyell Highway
Adds a day of driving; not a same-day hop.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 2 bases
- Day trips
- 3, 40 min to 1 h 15
- Nights suggested
- 2–3 nights
- Ways in
- 3 listed
- Best months
- No month rated best
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
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Ask about Huon and Far South
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