Total Distance: 19.2km one-way
The full Clarence Foreshore Trail is extremely long (doesn’t quite meet the ‘short’ requirement) so we’d recommend choosing a section of this trail to stroll along. There are multiple starting points, each with its highlights! Pick and choose as you wish. Distances are listed for all individual sections of the full trail.
Lindisfarne to Geilston Bay
Distance: 3.5km (one way)
Approximate duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Perhaps the least common of the sections, although in no way less worthy of your time. This section has more of a Tasmanian bushland feeling as you escape the city and press on towards Koomela Bay and Geilston Bay Boat Club. This is as far as the Clarence Foreshore Trail goes, but as this ends, another walk begins, the Shag Bay track, which leads you to yet another called takara limuna (Sheoak Walk).
You can find some parking at Sarean Ct if you wish to explore this!
Tasman Bridge to Lindisfarne or Bellerive Quay
Distance to Bellerive Quay: 3.5km (one way)
Distance to Lindisfarne: 2.5km (one way)
Approximate duration: 50 – 65 minutes
I’ve joined two sections into one here. If you begin at Tasman Bridge (directions to the car park here), you can choose to walk in either direction! Or, if you’re up for it, you can walk the full 12km return by starting at either Lindisfarne or Bellerive Quay.
The Lindisfarne section begins with a little tree coverage before opening up, while the other direction through Montagu Bay is under low foliage throughout most of the walk. Each has its features and is enjoyable in its own right.
Bellerive Quay to Bellerive Beach
Distance: 2km
Approximate duration: 45 minutes
Although one of the shorter sections of the full trail, it has some of the best views as you walk around Kangaroo Bluff Reserve and Victoria Esplanade. This has been a personal favourite of mine for Saturday mornings. With multiple cafes in Bellerive to grab a hot beverage, my choice being Groundsman Espresso, it’s a great way to enjoy the morning.
Bellerive Beach to Howrah
Distance: 3km (one way)
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
There is ample parking at Bellerive Beach, along with a playground and BBQ area. As you begin the walk, you can choose to walk along the beach or the pavement. Both will end up in the same place! As you approach Little Howrah Beach after the first half of the track, you again have the option to stay on the path or to switch to the beach. I recommend walking along the beach at least once if you’re walking there and back on this track.
If you’re interested in running, there is a 5km community park run held there every Saturday, beginning at Bellerive Beach.
Howrah to Tranmere
Distance: 4.7km (one way)
Approximate duration: 1.5 hours
The beginning of this section is on footpaths and local streets. After approximately 1km, you’ll be able to turn right down a gravel path, just after Cleve Ct, which is the start of perhaps the best section of trail on the entire Eastern shore. You can continue walking this through to Pindos Park and turn around, or push on a little further to the end of Oceana Drive, which is just under an additional kilometre each way.
If you’d like to skip the street walking, you can park at the beginning of the trail too.
The Clarence City Council have a map outlining this walk here.