Dismal Swamp

Mystery and delight down in the swamp

Open your eyes and your mind to the mystery of life at the bottom of a giant sinkhole by exploring four pathways through Dismal Swamp.

You never know what you might find on the fascinating journey that unfolds as you descend 40 metres from the Visitor Centre on the sinkhole rim into a world where the spirit of nature and the creativity of Tasmanian artists come together.

Ride the slide, a 110m long tube that takes you to the forest floor in a blink of an eye, with a few twists and turns along the way. The not so adventurous can take an enchanting stroll or gentle buggy ride down the walkway to the floor of the sinkhole to discover the delights and secrets of a fertile swamp.

Launch the interactive map Dismal's name belies the beauty and natural presence that saved it from the fate of nearby swamps, long ago cleared and drained for farmland. At the bottom of a closed basin, the four boardwalks on the swamp floor make it easy to get to know life in a swamp without getting your feet wet.

Find magical, surprising and moving artwork that emerged from the talents of Tasmanian artists in response to the power of the environment. Enjoy an insight into the natural features and inhabitants of the sinkhole from one of Dismal’s passionate guides.

Look carefully for small signs of the gangs of men who once worked there, harvesting timber for sawlogs and barrel staves, before the blackwood forest reclaimed its home.

Enjoy Tasmanian food and wine in the café or on the deck overlooking the forest treetops, before or after your journey below. See the enormity and depth of the sinkhole and swamp from the cantilever, suspended off the sinkhole rim at the edge of the deck.

Location

On the Bass Highway, 30 minutes drive south west of Smithton in North West Tasmania.

  • Dismal Swamp is open seven days a week
    9.00am - 5.00pm November to March
    10.00am - 4.00pm April to October.
    Closed on Christmas Day
  • Entry is $20.00 adults, $10.00 children or $45 for a family. Please note - children must be over 8 years in age and of a height exceeding 90cm to ride the slide.
  • Facilities and Swamp access are available for people with disabilities.
  • The Visitor Centre seats up to 100 people and can be for hired for special occasions.
  • To contact the Dismal Site Swamp Manager (David Johnson)
    Phone (03) 6456 7199

Travelling Details

Burnie to Stanley - 68km
Stanley to Dip Falls - 42km
Stanley to Smithton - 22km
Smithton to Dismal Swamp - 32km
Smithton to Kununnah Bridge - 38km
Smithton to South Arthur Forests (return) - 130km
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