All Huts in Tasmania closed

[ILUVSWTAS]

Unless emergency.

[tastrax]

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-pa ... -go/alerts

[Nuts]

"All walking tracks across the state remain open, with the exception of the Parks and Wildlife Service “Three Capes Track” Experience. For enquires on the Tasmania Walking Company Three Capes Lodge Walk please refer to their website – bookings@taswalkingco.com.au"

[north-north-west]

Oh goodie. I can do Cape Pillock without stumbling over Mr & Ms Numpty.

[weetbix456]

Question should be asked if Frenchman's Cap booking is only temporary, or the start of a longer norm? Also, whether one can use the tracks without staying at designated sites..

[ILUVSWTAS]

Question should be asked if Frenchman's Cap booking is only temporary, or the start of a longer norm? Also, whether one can use the tracks without staying at designated sites..

It's been on the cards for a while. I don't like how they snuck that in trying to hide it with all the other going ons.

[werobertson]

With the Cradle Visitor Centre closing from tonight, does anyone know if shuttles will still be running into Dove Lake? Or will they open up car access during daylight hours?

[north-north-west]

With the Cradle Visitor Centre closing from tonight, does anyone know if shuttles will still be running into Dove Lake? Or will they open up car access during daylight hours?

I think you need to contact TasPAWS and ask them. There's nothing on the website. Maria Island Ferry is still running but that's a private operation so can't be used as a guide.
They're going to have trouble policing the pass system and gear checkout with the Visitors Centre closed. Would be safer to stop the buses and allow more private vehicles in to Dove and Ronny, although there's limited parking.

[Warin]

The buses may be seen as not complying with 'social distancing' ...
Same with the centre.

If they are closing the huts that may mean less rangers to police the track ... not that that will be a great problem with the reduction in visitors.

[MrWalker]

The buses may be seen as not complying with 'social distancing' ...

The Parks website information says the buses will run as normal, but with reduced passenger numbers to allow separation between passengers.

Personally I would go anywhere but Cradle Mt to get away from everyone else, although there are a few tracks there where I have walked for hours without seeing anyone.

[Nuts]

Walls of Jerusalem now limited to 16 walkers per day, and bookings.

[Son of a Beach]

Thanks Nuts. Can you post a link to this information, and/or the bookings system (if available)?

[Nuts]

I can only see it as a memo for now (but expect it will be on the P&W site soon)


They say :

Due to the COVID-19 virus all camping in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park must now be booked. Daily departures for the Walls of Jerusalem is limited to a maximum of 16 people and /or 8 tents. Campers are only allowed 1 tent per platform and 1 night at any campsite for the duration of their stay.
All walkers must carry a quality tent- rated as 3-4 season. Huts will be accessible strictly for emergency use only.

"To make a booking please call the Mole Creek Caves ticket office on 6363 5182"

[Lophophaps]

How is it that the private huts are open and yet the medical advice is to maintain separation? Is it not possible that an infected person will leave traces in, say, PWS toilets or huts? See this
https://www.taswalkingco.com.au/covid-19/

[TentPeg]

How come Bunnings is open?
They are a private company and they are open. There must be a conspiracy theory somewhere there.

[tastrax]

How come Bunnings is open?
They are a private company and they are open. There must be a conspiracy theory somewhere there.

But alas, the sausage sizzle has gone - almost no reason to go there anymore

[Nuts]

I'd imagine very few tours are actually going ahead. Being able to still offer departures, otoh, may allow some sort of technicality, postponements rather than refunds?

As for bunnings sausages, there are always positives!

[Thornbill]

This just in from PWS. Slightly confusing but does it mean that walking tracks are open, but all overnight walking is now not permitted? Or only in the areas specifically listed?

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/know-before-you-go/alerts

"Closed area: Changes to PWS operations

From 21/3/2020, last reviewed 25/3/2020

The safety of visitors and staff is the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s highest priority.

Following advice from the Tasmania Department of Health and Tasmanian Government about social distancing and public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PWS has made some changes to its operations until further notice for public safety.

At this stage all our parks and reserves remain open to the public, however many facilities will be closed or operating under changed arrangements.

WALKING
All walking tracks across the state remain open, with the exception of the Parks and Wildlife Service “Three Capes Track” Experience and Overland Track.

CAMPSITE CLOSURES
All PWS campsites are closed until further notice. This includes walks where overnight camping is required, including South Coast Track, Frenchmans Cap track; Overland Track and Walls of Jerusalem track.

HUT CLOSURES
All huts are now closed other than for emergency use.

OTHER CLOSURES:

SOUTHERN REGION

* Mt Field Visitor Centre, café and Mount Field Government Huts closed.

* Maria Island Commissariat Store and Maria Island Penitentiary accommodation closed, however Maria Island Ferry continues to operate. Note that the Maria Island Campground is closed.

* The PWS Three Capes Track experience is closed.

* Hasting Caves and thermal pools closed.

NORTH REGION

* Tamar Wetlands Centre closed. Boardwalks are still open.

* Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre closed.

* The Narwantapu Visitor Centre closed.

* Mole Creek Caves and visitor centre closed.​

* Central Plateau Conservation Area tracks are closed. Huts remain open only to be used for emergency purposes.

* Walls of Jerusalem National Park tracks are closed.

NORTH-WEST REGION

* Cradle Mountain Visitors’ Centre closed. The Cradle Mountain shuttle bus service remains open, with each service taking a reduced number of passengers to and from Dove Lake and the Cradle Mountain carpark to meet demand and to ensure the safety of travellers.​​

* The Overland track is closed but day use walks around the Cradle Mountain remain open.

* Waldheim cabins closed.​

* Lake St Clair Visitors’ Centre closed.

* Arthur River Visitor Centre closed.

* Highfield House closed.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the unfolding COVID-19 threat, PWS will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated advice on this webpage.

In the interest of good hygiene practices and given the limited availability of sanitary items, all visitors are advised to please bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser/wash."

[tastrax]

More on Facebook so they might be in the process of updating the web. Effectively no overnight walking.

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