4 days in the SW NP

[Leaky Platypus]

Hey there

I am planning an adventure in the South West in June this year and am looking for suggestions. I was looking into the Western Arthurs but have realised that its not a great idea to do this in winter

I am excited to get down to the South West but dont have the days to do the South Coast Walk or the Port Davey track considering planes and river crossings. The plan at the moment is to start at Cockle Creek and walk in for 2 days then back track. However I would really rather do a loop and avoid back tracking. I have had a look at the moonlight ridge track and am thinking that might be an exciting circuit, but would really like advice from someone who has been in the area.

Any ideas that get me out in that area for 4 days would be wicked.

Cheers

[stepbystep]

Hi Leaky,

Really hard to give advice as we have no idea of your Tasi bushwalking cred!
That timeframe would suggest the Anne circuit, but in June would be VERY much in the realm of the experienced Tasi walker.

Perhaps several daywalks with car camping?
You would need to post your walking experience to get relevant advice.

Cheers, sbs

[samh]

Hi,
I guess it depends on your experience. If you are well prepared and up to it you could still go to Lake Oberon and return the same way. Even though I heard thatit is possible to do the traverse A-K in 4 days I would never attempt to do that in winter. We went last September to give Mt Anne a go however the snow coverage stopped us from going to the top so we stayed one night on the plateau and headed back. You could also go to Lake Rhona. I'm sure others will come up with some nice ideas too.

Sam

[pazzar]

I think the Mt Anne circuit would probably suit you, and you could include a few sidetrips. It sounds like you have a bit of experience. Mt Anne will be challenging in June, but unlike the Western Arthurs, it is relatively easy to pull out if needed. Lake Rhona would be fine if the river is down, if the river is in flood you cant cross, unless you lilo it, or have a canoe.

Jared

[Leaky Platypus]

Hey so I've done a bit of Tassie hiking.

I've done the overland a few times in winter and want more of a challenge. Ive been up in Walls of Jerasulam - thru the Never Never and back along Lee's paddock track. Ive also been out to Frenchman's Cap. I work in outdoor ed and have done a fair bit of hiking in NSW and Canadian mountains.

I love the idea of being next to the coast but really the main aim is to get a bit of a South Coast adventure

Thanks for all the help

[samh]

If you are looking at walking along the south coast, I guess the only thing you could do is walk in from Cockle Creek for two days and out the same way. Another question, are you walking alone or with someone else?

Sam

[Leaky Platypus]

Hey Sam

Not sure if I will be solo yet. It depends on what I decide to do. If I can find something challenging that I can do in my short time frame, I have some mates who would like to join, but Im also up for doing it myself if its a cruisy hike. Still a lot to figure out

[tas-man]

If you were prepared to fly in and out of Melaleuca for your four days, there is a lot you could do depending on the weather at the time. Winter walking in the South West is likely to be wet, wet & wet. Snow unlikely down low, but definitely a lack of sunshine! However if you had some flexibility about when you could fly in, you would see this area in all its weather washed majesty! In four days, you could fly in Day 1 and walk to New Harbour, Day 2 walk to Ketchem Bay, drop packs and walk over to Wilson Bight for lunch, and if weather kind even try for Mt Karamu, then back to camp at Ketchem. Day 3 Ketchem back to Melaleuca, or if weather OK, camp at New Harbour again and day pack to top of New Harbour range for fantastic views over the south coast. Day 4 explore Melaleuca area and Deny King's domain, or walk back from New Harbour in time to catch plane. The weather and short daylight hours will be the controlling factors this time of year.

[Leaky Platypus]

Thanks Ian
I was under the impression that flying in and out of Maleluca was super weather dependent (esp in Winter) and thought maybe I should try to avoid it with my limited time frame. Is this the case?

[pazzar]

You could also attempt the southern ranges, climbing Pindars Peak and Mt La Perouse. It may be a bit boggy up there in sections, and it is quite exposed in places, but it is close to the coast like you are looking for.

[tas-man]

Thanks Ian
I was under the impression that flying in and out of Maleluca was super weather dependent (esp in Winter) and thought maybe I should try to avoid it with my limited time frame. Is this the case?

Yes most definitely, but if you are keen for a look at the SW in winter, a risk worth assessing depending on the time you have available. It might be worth phoning Par Avion at Cambridge Airport to see what their assessment of winter flying statistics say about access into Melaleuca airstrip.

[JamesMc]

Mt Anne if you're up for it, understanding that Mt Lot will not really be passable if the weather is really bad, and the track from Lake Judd will be a little bit muddy. Really I'd suggest Mt Field or heading up to the DuCanne Range. If you take the boat up Lake StClair you'll me in the middle of it all.

JamesMc