The new extension to the Pipeline Track, from Waterworks Reserve to Ferntree, was opened by the Hobart City Council at the end of October 2025. Our walking group were eager to see the changes to a favourite walk. We were impressed by the wide, flat gravel track, clear signage, and interesting interpretation panels.

It’s a steady climb from Waterworks Reserve, eased by the track zig-zagging along the contours of the hills. Birdsong filled the air. We saw an echidna foraging among leaf litter in a ditch below the track. The serenity of the bush contrasted with glimpses of the busy city far below.

The Pipeline Track passes beautiful old sandstone troughs, aqueducts and buildings that follow the history of Hobart’s historic mountain water supply system. These structures were used to deliver clean water from the slopes of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington into the upper reservoir in Waterworks Reserve.

Of particular interest are two viewing platforms. One looks out over the rediscovered, century old sandstone Pipe-head Well, which had been hidden in bushland. The Pipe-head Well screened and mixed water before sending it into the city by gravity. The adjacent viewing platform looks on to the hand-cut channel, carved into the steep rock, of Gentle Annie Falls.

At Fern Tree, we crossed Huon Road, walking the short distance along the Pipeline Track to the beautiful cascades of Silver Falls.

We returned on the Pipeline Track, wondering at the engineering, architecture and craftmanship of the early water supply system. The accessibility and popularity of extension to the Pipeline Track was evident from the diverse range of people we passed, ranging from young family groups to trail runners, cyclists and fellow walkers.