Signal Station Circuit
Getting There
Bicentennial Park is a reserve on the South-eastern fringe of the City of Hobart. Parking, a café and toilets are available at highest point of this reserve, the Mount Nelson Signal Station which is about 10 minutes drive from the City. Metro buses from the Hobart City Interchange stop at the The Signal Station and at the bottom of the reserve along Sandy Bay Road.
This is an easy circuit that takes you from the Signal Station down the Signal Station Track to the Frog Pond. Continue on until you reach the intersection of the Enterprise Fire Trail which is your loop back up to the Signal Station.
The Signal Station itself is originally the site of one of a chain of signal stations that linked Hobart Town with Port Arthur. It is now a heritage listed site and has been restored to offer visitors a glimpse into Tasmania’s maritime past. The history of the Signal Station at Mount Nelson is a fascinating tale of communication, maritime safety, and Tasmania's colonial past. The Mount Nelson Signal Station, situated on the southern slopes of Mount Nelson near Hobart, Tasmania, was established in the early 19th century. It was constructed to provide critical communication between Hobart and ships in the surrounding waters of the Derwent River and Storm Bay. In the era before modern technology, communication with ships at sea was vital for maritime safety. The Signal Station used a system of flags, semaphore, and signals to relay messages to and from ships approaching the port of Hobart. It played a crucial role in guiding ships through the often treacherous waters of the Derwent River, helping them navigate safely to their berths.
On your walk look out for Bandicoots, Tasmanian Pademelons and Wallabies (mostly at dawn and dusk), if there has been significant rainfall the Frog Pond will spring to life with these special amphibians and observe the changes in vegetation habitat along this loop such as giant Blue Gums that provide important habitat for the endangered Swift Parrot, which is dependent on its blossoms as its main food resource during breeding season. This circuit also makes for a great short bike ride and is able to be ridden with gravel bikes (not just mountain bikes) so is suitable for beginners or families.
| Activity | Suggested Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 hours | ||
| Under 2 hours | ||
| Under 2 hours | 🟦 |
Track Features
Dogs allowed on lead.
Restrictions
Plan your visit
Leave No Trace is an internationally accepted way of minimising impacts on the places we visit. Respect wildlife, be considerate with others, dispose your waste properly.
Be prepared for the walk. Plan your trip ahead, bring enough water, check the alerts, and make sure you are comfortable with the difficulty rating.
Recommended Trails
Track contacts
If you have any questions, feedback or updates regarding this track please contact the track manager at the Hobart City Council by phone on 03 6238 2886 or by email to parks@hobartcity.com.au. For urgent communications please contact us by phone.
