Wellington Park to reopen on Monday 11 May

Published on 08 May 2020

Wellington Park will reopen from Monday 11 May 2020 for recreational use, though Pinnacle Road will remain closed for now, the City of Hobart has confirmed.

The opening of Wellington Park for exercise follows the Tasmanian Government’s announcement today (Friday 8 May) that all national parks and reserves in Tasmania would open from Monday for people who live within 30 kilometres of those areas.

The Government underlined that national parks and reserves were only opening for the purpose of exercise and visitors were still required to abide by all social distancing guidelines, including maintaining a distance from each other of 1.5 metres.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds welcomed the opening of Wellington Park, but underlined that the Government has asked for Pinnacle Road to stay closed for the time being.

The observation shelter at the summit and the toilets at both the summit and Springs will also remain closed for now.

“Anyone living within 30 kilometres is free to enter the Park from Monday for exercise and that will come as a great relief to many people,” Cr Reynolds said.

“If you are planning to drive up, you will only be able to get as far as Ferntree; after that, you will need to access the park by cycling or on foot.

“We will open Pinnacle Road as soon as we are advised by the Government that we can do so. Please check our website for updates.”

Cr Reynolds said that from Monday all walking tracks and mountain bike tracks in Wellington Park would be open for people who live within 30 kilometres of the Park.

“This is not ‘back to normal’ – only visit Wellington Park for exercise and, while in the Park, please continue to practice social distancing to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Cr Reynolds also called for patience from the community while City of Hobart staff worked hard to ready the Park for visitors again after a six-week shutdown.

Wellington Park is managed by Wellington Park Management Trust. The Trust closed the park from midnight on Thursday 26 March.

All City-managed parks and reserves have remained open for exercise during the restrictions and that will continue.