Kunanyi - Mount Wellington

Name: Codi
Price range: $

Curated by Jess Ewing and 25 others

Kunanyi is a strikingly beautiful and ecologically intact mountain landscape that rises above Hobart, Tasmania’s capital, and one of the world’s most beautiful harbour cities.

Cloud mist kunanyi hobart Luke Tscharke

About the region Articles about Kunanyi - Mount Wellington Conservation Things to Do Nature Community

About the region

Kunanyi - Mount Wellington: the heart of Hobart

Kunanyi is an ancient landscape. This mountain’s underlying Dolerite rock formations were forged 170 million years ago during the breakup of the pre-historic supercontinent of Gondwanaland. Hundreds of different species of extraordinary plants and animals have lived here for Millenia, and the mountain is infused with a rich story of human connection stretching back more than 40,000 years. Today, the mountain forms the striking backdrop of Hobart, with fingers of wild country and bushland stretching through the city up the slopes of this majestic forested mountain, intimately connecting Kunanyi with Hobart’s people.

An interconnected network of natural trails, walking and cycling paths connect people with the mountain, with myriad plants, animals and landscapes merging with a rich urban environment. From the fascinating platypus that lives in the rivulet in the heart of the city, to Tasmanian devils, bats and Boobook owls that frequent Kunanyi’s forested slopes, Hobart and Kunanyi form a very special example of the intimate connection between people and the Natural world.

Kunanyi waratah flower telopea truncata Luke Tscharke

Kunanyi Waratah- Luke Tscharke

Organ pipes- Rob Blakers

Kunanyi glow- luke Tscharke

Kunanyi at night from the Derwent River- Jess Ewing

Kunanyi southern lights aurora australis Luke Tscharke

Southern lights- Luke Tscharke

Submerged ground- Luke Tscharke

Kunanyi snow- Luke Tscharke

Silver Falls from above- Phill Pullinger

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Articles about Kunanyi - Mount Wellington

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Mt. Wellington: Sanatorium of Tasmania - a poem by Mulga Mick (1875 - 1958)

This is a poem written by Mulga Mick. He was an open-hearted, generous man who befriended many birds and other animals on the mountain.

The Pinnacle Road and the men building it - a poem by Mulga Mick (1875 - 1958)

Mulga Mick (M. J. O’Reilly, 1875-1958) worked with building the Pinnacle Road on Kunanyi / Mt Wellington. He loved nature and liked to write poems.

The mountain is always changing

By researching the history of the mountain, Martin Stone learns that it is always changing. Image: Grant Murray

We catch a love of nature from each other

"But I think what he also taught me, apart from the joy, the beauty and the science of nature, was not to be scared of...

Kunanyi organ pipes Rob Blakers

Conservation

Preserving Kunanyi - Mount Wellington for future generations

Rising above Hobart, Kunanyi is more than a dramatic backdrop, it’s a living sanctuary. The mountain’s forests, streams and alpine ecosystems are home to rare and endemic species, from the Tasmanian snow skink to the spotted-tail quoll.

But Kunanyi’s ecosystems are fragile. Warming temperatures, invasive species and human pressures are changing the balance of this unique mountain environment. Conservation efforts, from careful trail management to habitat restoration and community stewardship, are vital to keeping Kunanyi wild and resilient.

Protecting Kunanyi means protecting the heart of Hobart, a place where nature, culture and community meet.

Conservation efforts for Kunanyi - Mount Wellington

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The history of the Kunanyi huts

The history of the Mt Wellington / Kunanyi huts gives us a sense of how it was back in the early days, and you feel connected to those people and thei...

The Mountain Ambassador Programme: connecting families with nature

The Mountain Ambassador Programme is a Hobart city council initiative, allowing people to engage in a deep, meaningful way with the natural values of ...

Re-wilding the New Town Rivulet

On Saturday the 28th of June a group of 20 volunteers descended on the New Town rivulet for a weeding and rubbish collecting working bee hosted by New...

A precious mountain refuge for birdlife

Kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a most precious sanctuary for birds-and us, writes Dr Eric Woehler OAM.

Things to Do

Visiting Kunanyi - Mount Wellington

Kunanyi is the playground of Hobart, offering countless ways to experience the wild just minutes from the centre of the city. Visitors can hike through cool temperate rainforest to alpine plateau, cycle along winding mountain roads, or simply take in sweeping views from the Pinnacle.

There are trails for every pace, from gentle walks like the Organ Pipes Track and Sphinx Rock lookout to longer routes through fern gullies and subalpine moorlands. Rock climbers and photographers are drawn to the dramatic dolerite cliffs, while birdwatchers can spot green rosellas, pink robins and wedge-tailed eagles overhead.

Whatever the activity, remember to tread lightly, take any rubbish with you and respect the mountain’s cultural and ecological significance.

Activities

Walks

Cycling

Trail Running

Nature & Heritage

Landscape features

Wildlife

Heritage Sites

Explore map

Kunanyi glow Luke Tscharke

Nature

Discover the plants and wildlife that call Kunanyi - Mount Wellington home

Kunanyi offers breathtaking natural beauty, with lush rainforests, sparkling waterfalls, and rugged alpine landscapes. Visitors can wander through towering eucalyptus forests, marvel at sweeping views of Hobart and the Derwent River from the summit, and encounter unique Tasmanian flora and fauna along the many walking trails. In winter, the mountain transforms into a snow-dusted wonderland, adding even more magic to its wild, untouched charm.

The species of Kunanyi - Mount Wellington

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Tasmanian Pademelon

The Tasmanian pademelon is a small wallaby that inhabits the dense forests of Tasmania. Picture: Dan Broun

Yellow-throated Honeyeater

The yellow-throated honeyeater is a bird endemic to Tasmania, distinguished by its bright yellow throat. Picture by: Kim Murray

Brush-Tailed Possum

The brush-tailed possum is a nocturnal marsupial native to Australia, with soft grey fur, a bushy tail, and large eyes adapted for night vision. Picture: Phill Pullinger

Green Rosella

The Green Rosella endemic to Tasmania, and a signature sight of the Tasmanian bushland. Picture: Eric Woehler

Tiger Snake

The tiger snake is a highly venomous snake native to southern Australia, including Tasmania. It is named for its distinctive banded pattern, which can vary in color. It's the most venemous snake found in Tasmania. Image: Phill Pullinger

Kunanyi - Mount Wellington galleries

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Beautiful rocks of Kunanyi

Kunanyi is shaped by ancient dolerite rock formations, sculpted over millions of years by ice, wind and rain. From towering cliffs to scattered boulders and caves, these photographers captures its beauty.

Community

Engage with the Kunanyi - Mount Wellington community

Kunanyi stands at the heart of Hobart, it's a landmark that shapes the city’s identity and spirit. For the palawa people, it is a place of deep cultural significance, woven into stories and kinship that stretch back thousands of years. It’s a space for connection, where people walk, breathe, and find perspective in the mountain’s quiet presence.

Artists, runners, families, and conservation volunteers all gather here, drawn by the same sense of belonging. The mountain reminds us that community isn’t just among people, it includes the forests, the rivers, and the living world we depend on.

Adam Muyt

Adrian Bol

Project Officer at Tasmanian Health Service

Bec Johnson

I'm lucky enough to work as a Mountain Ambassador, sharing information and experiences about Kunanyi with visitors. I'm also lucky enough to work with volunteers, learning about and controlling environmental weeds, and restoring native bush. I'm also incredibly lucky to...