A Nature Walk With a View at Leven Canyon, Tasmania

Tasmania really is the ideal place to visit if you want to spend time in nature. It has all sorts of different landscapes and environments to explore and best of all, you rarely have to share them. That’s certainly the case with Leven Canyon in northern Tasmania, where you can have extraordinary views all to yourself. This was the last place I visited during my time in north west Tasmania and I feel like I finished on a high note.

Like many places in this part of Australia, Leven Canyon is probably somewhere you won’t have heard of. Let’s change that. After all, it’s a place that feels really remote but is surprisingly accessible and combines some enjoyable nature walks with sublime views. So, if that’s piqued your interest, here’s what you can expect when visiting Leven Canyon.

Leven Canyon Reserve

Leven Canyon Reserve is a regional nature reserve to the north of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, centred on the Leven River. The reserve is an important wildlife corridor between Cradle Mountain and the coast, and is meant to have all sorts of wildlife hidden within it. Apparently, there are creatures including quolls, echidnas and Tasmanian devils here, but we didn’t spot any.

The canyon’s dramatic landscape meant that it was one of the last places in Tasmania to be explored by white settlers. It’s modern preservation is owed to efforts by locals and conservation groups, most notably George Cruickshank. Mr Cruickshank owned much of the land where the lookouts can be found, but donated it as a “tourist park” to share its beauty with others.

Upon arriving at Leven Canyon you’ll find a whole bunch of information boards detailing the reserve’s history and wildlife. For instance, it’s there that you can learn that the reserve has tree ferns that are up to 150 years old. But naturally, the best way to get to know Leven Canyon Nature Reserve is on its Circuit Walk.

Cruickshanks Lookout

The walking trail for the lookouts at Leven Canyon is basically a loop, so it’s pretty straightforward to navigate. However I recommend you take the right path from the car park and picnic area, which I’ll explain later. This path will bring you to your first viewpoint over the canyon from Cruickshanks Lookout, 275 metres above the river.

Following the path you’ll gradually head up hill on a clearly defined gravel path. The forest along the path isn’t too dense and features a mix of narrow gum trees and great big fallen tree trunks. After ten minutes or so you’ll find yourself approaching Cruickshanks Lookout. It’s only 550 metres from the car park so most people should find the trail comfortable to handle.

And the relatively short walk is well worth what’s laying in store for you at the end. Up at Cruickshanks Lookout you get a phenomenal view down into Leven Canyon and the rocky walls that line it as the river curves around a mountain. Down in the canyon you should be able to just make out the dark water rushing through the bend. What’s easier to see though are all the rolling hills around you that are simply blanketed in untamed forest.

Descending the Forest Stairs

After taking in the views at Cruickshanks Lookout, it’s time to take a trip down the Forest Stairs. This massive stairway connects the two viewpoints by making quite a steep descent. From the top you’ll have no concept of where it ends, mainly because there are 697 stairs in this never-ending staircase. And this is why you visit Cruickshanks Lookout first, so you don’t have to climb up those 697 stairs.

But honestly, whether you’re going up or down, you’re going to want a break at some point. Which is okay because there are several bench seats staged along the Forest Stairs. What’s really cool about the benches though is how they double as signs. Painted on the bench in yellow is how many steps there are to go in either direction, as well how far it is to the next seat. Simple yet perfect. 

Edge Lookout and Fern Walk

At the bottom of the Forest Stairs you’ll find yourself in a little gully before joining back up with the trail. This is the Fern Walk and you shouldn’t need more than one guess as to where it gets its name. Yes, this is where you can get your dose of ferns as they surround the trail on all sides. Down here the forest is more dense and covered in shadow, which with the ferns makes the area feel quite ancient.

The point of coming down here though is to head for the Edge Lookout nearby. This is the lower viewpoint of the two and provides a wholly new perspective on Leven Canyon. Here you’re looking along the canyon as opposed to down into it, which makes you realise just how narrow it gets down below. You’re also able to properly see the Leven River here and its interesting little rock pools along its rocky banks.

Once you’re done at the Edge Lookout you can take the Fern Walk back to the car park. That walk may be gradually up hill, but again is only 600 metres so nothing strenuous. They say that doing a full circuit should take 45 minutes, which seems about right.

Advice for Visiting

In all honesty, there’s not a lot you need to know before making a trip to Leven Canyon. You’ll need to drive and Devonport is the nearest city to the reserve.  Expect the drive from Devonport to Leven Canyon to take just under an hour, which is pretty normal travel time for Tasmania. The picnic area by the car park is quite nice, so I suggest bringing a pack lunch and eating surrounded by the forest.

My one regret with visiting Leven Canyon is not doing the Canyon Floor Walk to Devils Elbow, seen above. Would be cool to actually walk down in through the canyon. Ah well, next time!

Have you heard of Leven Canyon before or even visited? Does knowing these kinds of places can be found in Tasmania make you more interested in visiting? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.