Tinderbox: Reefs, Beach and Bushland

Tinderbox offers a variety of natural landscapes: the coastal and underwater world of the Tinderbox Marine Reserve, the open bushland along the Tinderbox Hills Track, and the forest, buttongrass and heath communities of the Peter Murrell Reserves. Tinderbox Beach adds a small sandy beach and rock platforms. This offers a simple focus for planning your holiday: would you mainly like to snorkel and dive, spend time at the beach, or explore trails on land? These interests can also help guide your search for a holiday rental in Tinderbox.

Snorkelling and diving in the Tinderbox Marine Reserve

The Tinderbox Marine Reserve extends about 700 metres southwest of Tinderbox Beach. From Tinderbox Beach, it stretches eastwards around Piersons Point to 2.5 kilometres north of Passage Point. The reserve is fully protected and designated as a no-take area.

Tinderbox Bay has snorkelling spots among sandstone reefs, as well as shallow reefs and channels. The reserve offers two different underwater worlds for diving: near its northern end, you can explore giant kelp forests; at Piersons Point, communities of sponges, sea pens, sea fans and gorgonians. The spots in the bay and the two dive areas provide practical options for planning your time in the water.

Beach and trails on land

Tinderbox Beach is a popular place for swimming, snorkelling and boating. The small sandy beach and rock platforms offer a sheltered place to relax and explore the Channel. For those who want to get out on land, the Tinderbox Hills Track offers a different landscape: it runs along a ridge through open bushland and provides views across Storm Bay and North West Bay. The track to Mt Louis Road is 4.5 kilometres long and takes 1.5 hours; it is open to walkers and mountain bikers.

Forest, heath and biodiversity

The Peter Murrell Reserves include Tinderbox and protect forest, buttongrass and heath communities. They are home to 37 orchid species, five of which are endemic to Tasmania. Sandy trails lead to a range of activities, including walking, dog walking and cycling, as well as horse riding on designated trails. So, as well as coastal outings, trails through the vegetation offer another option.

Piersons Point Reserve contains a nationally listed ecological community classified as endangered. Further afield, on the Tinderbox Peninsula, important white gum forest provides critical habitat for the threatened Forty-spotted Pardalote. These two natural features complement the marine environment and trails, but are distinct from the snorkelling spots and the track.

Access and practical information

The main entrance to the Tinderbox Marine Reserve is in Tinderbox Bay and can be reached via Fergusson Avenue, off Tinderbox Road. Tinderbox Foreshore Reserve has a BBQ facility.

Discover more destinations: Gladstone, Southport, Plenty, Sisters Beach, Jackeys Marsh, Greens Beach, Lewisham, New Norfolk

For the broader travel guide: Tasmania.