Walls of Jerusalem National Park

This is a wild and inspiring alpine landscape spanning a labyrinth of highland lakes, craggy mountains and ancient pencil pine forests.

The evocatively named Walls of Jerusalem National Park is located in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Landscape features include moraines, formed by ancient glaciers, numerous lakes and tarns, a high plateau of dolerite peaks, and alpine vegetation and endemic conifer forests.

The park is highly exposed to the extremes of Tasmania's changeable weather. There’s no road access and no day-trip visitor facilities. All walkers here need to be experienced in harsh conditions, well equipped and fully self-sufficient.

Highlights

Water

This remote high country was sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago, and water remains an ever-present feature in numerous lakes, tarns and trickling streams.

Colour

Once on the plateau, walkers are greeted by spectacular views and a kaleidoscopic palette of colours across dolerite peaks, groves of endemic pencil pines, twisted snow gums, and an extraordinary diversity of ground-hugging alpine plants, including striking fields of scoparia, which is unique to Tasmania.

Tranquility

This park is accessible only on foot, so expect plenty of solitude and serenity. 

Walks

Use Wild Dog Creek campsite as the base to explore the Walls of Jerusalem National Park - if you’re an experienced, self-sufficient walker. Walking tracks lead from the campsite through Herods Gate into the interior Walls and out through Damascus Gate to the historic Dixons Kingdom Hut (emergency shelter only). Side tracks lead to the summits of Solomons Throne, The Temple, and Mount Jerusalem.

Car park to Wild Dog Creek campsite

It’s a rough, steep start to this walk into the park (3-4hr, 6.1km). But once you reach the plateau it’s an easy 3km walk to the campsite through high-country terrain.

Wild Dog Creek campsite to Damascus Gate

After passing through Herods Gate you’re within the so-called ​Walls. From here, it’s a magnificent journey to Damascus Gate, surrounded by dolerite mountains and past tranquil lakes and tarns, including the mesmerising Pool of Bethesda. To get a sense of your own insignificance in such a vast landscape, from Damascus Gate ascend Solomons Throne (30min to the west) or The Temple (15min to the east). For a slide-night photo opportunity, descend to Dixons Kingdom Hut (30min to the south), surrounded by a grove of pencil pines. 

Mount Jerusalem summit

From Dixons Kingdom, follow the ridgeline track (2-3hr return) to ascend Mount Jerusalem. The view from the summit includes a spectacular and seemingly endless sea of lakes and tarns, with majestic dolerite mountains surrounding the inner walls.

Need to know

Trailhead

From the car park, it’s a 3hr 30min to 4hr 30min walk to Herods Gate, located at the entrance to the high exposed plateau.

Equipment

Bushwalkers must carry a tent and be fully self-sufficient. Huts in the park are small, in poor condition and suitable only for emergency shelter.

Camping

There’s a camping platform and composting toilet at Wild Dog Creek. It’s recommended that walkers camp here rather than at Dixons Kingdom.

Accommodation

The nearest accommodation is at Mole Creek. 

Entry

A parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks.

Where

The Walls of Jerusalem National Park is a 1hr 40min drive (120km) south-west of Launceston - however, the park itself is not accessible by road. Bushwalkers must walk into the park from the car park located off the gravel Mersey Forest Road near Lake Rowallan.

More detail

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/walls-of-jerusalem-national-park