The Port Davey Marine Reserve is located in the far south-west of the State, within the Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is accessible only by boat, light plane or on foot with a 5-7 day walk on either the South Coast Track or the Port Davey Track.
Several hundred boat-based visitors arrive each year, including yachties, sea kayakers and scuba divers. Commercial and recreational fishermen sometimes enter the reserve seeking shelter from the weather. A further 5000 or so visitors arrive each year by light plane. Occasional cruise ships also visit, under strict regulation.
Please note that a park entry pass is required.
When to visit
South-west weather is often
wild, wet and unpredictable –
it’s this weather that has played
a large part in shaping the
landscape. It is not uncommon
to experience day after day
of rain at any time of the year.
However, more settled weather
is usually experienced during
summer and autumn, with less
rain and less wind – northerlies
in summer and westerlies
in autumn. Spring winds are
often strong and gusty, while
winter brings strong prevailing
westerlies, low temperatures,
frosts and high rainfall. If you’re
lucky, you can strike a week
of perfect crisp, calm weather
in the middle of winter. Get a
long-range forecast and cross
your fingers. If you’re seeking
solitude, avoid visiting between
mid-January and mid-March.