At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Anyone planning to drive, walk or take a bus up kunanyi/Mount Wellington, especially in cold or wet weather
- What to do now
- Check the City of Hobart’s Pinnacle Road status page and the mountain webcams before you leave, and have a plan for the road being closed
- When it closes
- At any time, for snow, ice, other dangers or traffic congestion; it can also close ahead of severe weather
- When it reopens
- “As soon as it is safe”, often in stages, for example to The Springs first
- If it is closed
- You can still walk up the road; the Explorer Bus runs during closures if conditions allow
- Parking
- 65 spaces at The Springs and 100 at the summit
- Last checked
- Tuesday 10 November 2026, on the City of Hobart’s website and the Explorer Bus website
- Not yet confirmed
- The text of the council’s status page does not give today’s road status, which is shown on a live map; Explorer Bus fares were not on the page read
Pinnacle Road, the road up kunanyi/Mount Wellington, can be closed at any time because of unsafe conditions or traffic congestion, according to the City of Hobart, and it reopens “as soon as it is safe”, which the council says it cannot predict. The council updates a road status page when the status changes, and you can still walk up the road when it is shut to cars.
This guide covers why the road closes, how it reopens, whether you can walk or take a bus when it is closed, where to park at The Springs and the summit, and the safety points the council lists. It is based on the council’s Pinnacle Road status page, its mountain safety page and its snow page, all read on Tuesday 10 November 2026, and the Explorer Bus website.
Why does Pinnacle Road close?
The council describes Pinnacle Road as the highest and busiest sealed alpine road in Tasmania, narrow with steep embankments, where snow and ice can create dangerous driving conditions. It says the road is usually closed because of snow, ice or other dangers, and that ice can be invisible and very slippery. The road can also be closed ahead of severe weather as a safety measure, so that vehicles are not caught out in dangerous conditions.
The council also lists traffic congestion as a reason. During snow and icy conditions, the road is closed to cars for safety.
How is the decision made?
The council says its staff carry out regular road inspections and monitor weather forecasts and conditions.
Why can’t I drive up with snow chains or a 4WD?
The council says road conditions need to be safe for everyone, and that opening the road to some vehicles during snow clearing would slow the work and delay reopening for all vehicles.
When will the road reopen?
The council’s answer is “as soon as it is safe”. It says it cannot say for sure, because it depends on weather and conditions. The road can often be opened in stages, for example to The Springs while crews clear the road higher up.
Why can’t it open sooner?
The council says snow often melts fairly quickly on Pinnacle Road, but ice can linger in shady areas and pose serious hazards to motor vehicles. Sometimes the dangers are not visible from the closed gate: dangerous snow or ice may be just around the corner or higher up. It adds that there are no safe places to park large numbers of vehicles or turn cars around between The Springs and Big Bend.
How do I check the road status?
The council says its Pinnacle Road status page is updated when the road status changes, and that you can also hear about the status on local radio stations. A live map on that page shows the current status. The council notes that if the “last update” date is a while in the past, it means there has not been a change since that date, and the map still shows the correct information. To see conditions at the top, the council points to its Kunanyi / Mt Wellington webcams.
Can I walk up if the gate is closed?
Yes. The council says you can walk up the road when it is closed to cars, but to be aware that snow clearing operations may be taking place. You can walk to the summit in the snow even when the road is closed. Experienced walkers can use the Zig Zag Track, which the council says is steep and can be icy and slippery in snow. The council’s FAQ says that, if you are well prepared, experienced and with a group, you can take Pinnacle Track and then the Zig Zag Track to the summit.
How far is it to the snow?
The council says snow could be 100 metres away or several kilometres, depending on conditions and how far the road is open. It suggests asking other visitors or City of Hobart staff, if they are present, where the snow is and what condition it is in. It says to inform yourself of the distances by road from The Springs to The Chalet and to the summit, because “it’s a long way even in good weather”.
Which short walks does the council suggest in the snow?
| Walk | Route, according to the council | Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Springs to the Chalet | From The Springs, follow Pinnacle Track past the Zig Zag Track turn-off and along the Organ Pipes Track to The Chalet, returning the same way | Often the quickest route to the snowline |
| Sphinx Rock and Junction Cabin | Follow Lenah Valley Track to Sphinx Rock; for a longer walk continue to Junction Cabin; return the same way | Snow only when it falls to low levels |
| Silver Falls | From Fern Tree Park, follow the Pipeline Track to the Fern Tree Bower, then to the falls, returning clockwise via Fern Glade Track; or from The Springs via Radfords Track and Reids Track | Snow only when it falls to low levels |
The council has a Great Short Walks in the Snow brochure with a map and safety tips.
Can I take a bus when the road is closed?
The council says the Kunanyi / Mt Wellington Explorer Bus operates during road closures, if conditions allow. The bus’s own website says it is the official shuttle bus for the mountain and the only tour company with exclusive access when Pinnacle Road is closed due to snow.
| Explorer Bus detail | What its website says |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Daily from Hobart, opposite the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre |
| Departure times | 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm; a 3:30pm departure in summer only (October to April) |
| Explorer Pass | 2.5 hour return tour, including 30 minutes at the summit |
| Hop-on, hop-off | Five Wellington Park bus stops, with short alpine walks |
| One-Way Pass | A 50 minute tour |
| Bikes | Bring your own mountain bike for $10 per bike |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
The page read for this guide does not list fares, so none are given here. The race day on Sunday 15 November is a separate case: see our guide to the Point to Pinnacle road closures, which include Pinnacle Road.
Where do I park, and how cold does it get?
The council says there are 65 parking spaces at The Springs and 100 at the summit. It asks you to park in designated areas only or risk a fine, and says parking illegally on Pinnacle Road can cause congestion and poses a serious risk in emergencies, because police and emergency services need clear access.
The summit is 1271 metres above sea level and exposed to wind gusts that can exceed 100km/h. The temperature typically falls one degree for every 100 metres you ascend, and from The Springs to the summit the altitude rises by 600 metres, so the top is likely to be 6°C colder than The Springs, and colder again if it is windy. The council says “feels like” temperatures can plummet to minus 20 degrees, wind chill makes hypothermia a serious risk for walkers who are not prepared, and low cloud can reduce visibility to a few metres.
What does the council say to bring and do?
- Check the weather forecast and the latest observations before you leave home, and check Pinnacle Road’s status.
- Wear warm and waterproof clothing if you are walking. Do not attempt snow or poor visibility unless you are very experienced, well prepared and with others.
- Carry enough food and drinking water. Tap water at The Springs is collected from the mountain; natural surface water may not be safe to drink.
- Check when the sun sets and allow plenty of time to be off the mountain well before dark.
- Tell someone reliable where you are going and when you expect to return, and walk with others if you can.
- Mobile reception is variable; the council suggests installing the Emergency+ app.
- Drive carefully: leave double the normal distance to the vehicle in front, and remember braking takes much longer on ice.
Quick plan
- Before you go: forecast, council status page, webcams.
- Road open: 65 spaces at The Springs and 100 at the summit; park only in designated areas.
- Road closed: walk, or ask whether the Explorer Bus is running.
- Walking in snow: dress for alpine conditions and be ready to turn back.
Sources
- City of Hobart — Pinnacle Road status and FAQs (checked 10 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — Stay safe on the mountain (checked 10 November 2026)
- City of Hobart — Snow on Kunanyi / Mt Wellington (checked 10 November 2026)
- kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus (checked 10 November 2026)
Featured image: snow on Mount Wellington (kunanyi) seen towards Hobart, photographed in July 2024 (photo: Akamanda / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Hobart or the Explorer Bus. Road status changes without notice; check the council’s page before you travel.