Stranded at Scotts Peak

[doogs]

The Parks website and all their information makes it clear they think the walk ends at Narcisssus Hut and everyone should take the ferry. Whereas every guide book suggests that you haven't really walked the track unless you walk all the way. (I've used both methods and I must admit the views are much better from the middle of the lake and the forest walk is not outstandingly better than other forests along the way.)

So as part of OT maintenance for the fee-paying customers, Parks should be required to provide transport down the lake - equivalent to the free bus at the other end, or upgrade the track alternative(s).

If that's the case why do Parks maintain the lake side track? They also advertise it as a walk in its own right. I would suspect Parks advertise it as such as this is the most common route chosen. Everyone should plan to carry an extra days food anyway in case of emergency etc

[tasadam]

If that's the case why do Parks maintain the lake side track?

Daywalkers from Cynthia Bay?? Oh, no... Emergency exit for walkers stranded by non-compliant ferry?

[north-north-west]

The OT is supposed to be 80km. It is - IF you do the lakeside leg. The ferry is the soft option.

[ollster]

The OT is supposed to be 80km. It is - IF you do the lakeside leg. The ferry is the soft option.

You're also supposed to start/finish at Waldheim, are you not? I bet most people don't. I have once out of the 4 odd times I've walked the thing (and started at Cynthia Bay, so yes, walked the whole thing, proper like with no cheating).

[north-north-west]

I don't really know about the north. I've done via the Horse Track and Waldheim all the way to Pencil Pine ('cause it was pissing down and no-one would stop to give me a ride), and once to Ronny Creek, which I assume is now the official Northern End, where I grabbed the bus. Only ever taken the ferry when I've been doing short trips, into Pine Valley for a couple of nights, that sort of thing.
Mainly 'cause I'm too cheap to pay for the boat ride . . .

[JamesMc]

Like starting / finishing the South Coast Track at Melaluca is cheating...

Jamesmc

[ollster]

Like starting / finishing the South Coast Track at Melaluca is cheating...

Jamesmc

I'm planning on walking it as a loop from Scotts Peak. Hardcore road walking!

[north-north-west]

Like starting / finishing the South Coast Track at Melaluca is cheating...

Jamesmc

Not really. It's the Old Port Davey Track before that, and you don't really WANT to walk that *&%$#! thing, no matter how much it has improved in the decades since I did it.

[pazzar]

So just to add to the Lake St Clair drama, I turn up there Monday morning, after booking on Friday, the boat fully functional, to "Oh sorry, the boat has broken down...." You can only imagine my fury, two times in two weeks, no notification on either booking. I must say I have lost all faith in the ferry service and it will be a long time before I will give them my hard earned $$$ for their crappy service!!!!!

[ollster]

So just to add to the Lake St Clair drama, I turn up there Monday morning, after booking on Friday, the boat fully functional, to "Oh sorry, the boat has broken down...." You can only imagine my fury, two times in two weeks, no notification on either booking. I must say I have lost all faith in the ferry service and it will be a long time before I will give them my hard earned $$$ for their crappy service!!!!!

Oh lol. Sorry Paz, but that's tragically funny. Mostly tragic. We live in a basket case of a state as far as quality tourism services. No wonder all the wood choppers fear the loss of forestry.

[corvus]

So just to add to the Lake St Clair drama, I turn up there Monday morning, after booking on Friday, the boat fully functional, to "Oh sorry, the boat has broken down...." You can only imagine my fury, two times in two weeks, no notification on either booking. I must say I have lost all faith in the ferry service and it will be a long time before I will give them my hard earned $$$ for their crappy service!!!!!

Not good enough however were there any "tourists" inconvenienced with this ?? and did it run eventually or did everyone walk the lakeside track and miss their other transport connections ??
corvus

[corvus]

Reason I am asking this is that I do a pick up for a Guided group on a regular basis and need to know if I should be packing a sleeping bag now
corvus

[Nuts]

It broke on Saturday Corv, we reverted to tourist pace into the bay. I suspect its the same patched up/half fixed drama that has been going on for years?

[corvus]

Thanks for that reply Nuts I noticed your Group and a later Cradle Huts Group got back however what about the independant walkers who have bus connections and most likely little or no food
Time to speak to the Minister methinks so lets get the emails going
corvus

[Nuts]

Meh, adds to the adventure.. no extra charge!!
Minister might send the ferry to the knackery? O'well, whats another days walking. Better still floating on thermarests, it will be a hit i'm sure.

[pazzar]

So just to add to the Lake St Clair drama, I turn up there Monday morning, after booking on Friday, the boat fully functional, to "Oh sorry, the boat has broken down...." You can only imagine my fury, two times in two weeks, no notification on either booking. I must say I have lost all faith in the ferry service and it will be a long time before I will give them my hard earned $$$ for their crappy service!!!!!

Not good enough however were there any "tourists" inconvenienced with this ?? and did it run eventually or did everyone walk the lakeside track and miss their other transport connections ??
corvus

There was a full load booked to be picked up at 12:30 from Narcissus, a private group I suspect, the people at the desk suggested that maybe they would run me up at 12, but the driver said it was not running at all that day. I stormed off and went to Frenchman's instead, so I do not know if the ferry did eventually run. I hear that parks are sending their own up this week.

[corvus]

My Message to the Minister


Brian.Wightman@dpac.tas.gov.au

G'day Brian,
I have just been reading about the poor service being provided by the current operators of the "Ida Clair" ferry service with constant breakdowns and inconsistent service.
Mate this is the last leg (other than the Lakeside Walk) of an advertised "Iconic Tasmanian Walk" yet we are dropping the ball on this leg .
If we can provide a Shuttle Bus service at Cradle why cant we do something at the other end with a guaranteed outcome which would result in lest angst for tourists??
Regards,


corvus

Last edited by corvus on Wed 18 Jan, 2012 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Strider]

My Message to the Minister


Brian.Wightman@dpac.tas.gov.au

G'day Brian,
I have just been reading about the poor service being provided by the current operators of the "Ida Clair" ferry service with constant breakdowns and inconsistent service.
Mate this is the last leg (other than the Lakeside Walk) of an advertised "Iconic Tasmanian Walk" yet we are dropping the ball on this leg .
If we can provide a Shuttle Bus service at Cradle why cant we do something at the other end with a guaranteed result which would result in lest angst for tourists??
Regards,


corvus

Dont take this the wrong way mate, but did you mention at any point which walk you were talking about? There is a chance Brian may not be familiar with Tasmanian bushwalk localities.

[corvus]

Oh yes he knows what I am talking about
So feel free to contact him
corvus

[tasadam]

Some posts were removed from this topic, in line with forum rules.

[JamesMc]

Many years ago (possibly before the time of the current ferry operator), my wife and I set to walk the Overland Trk from Cradle to Cynthia Bay. She sprained her ankle quite badly so we radioed for a boat from Narcissus. They wouldn't come. Apparently the lake was too rough, though it was glassy smooth at our end. After 2 days of pleading we just walked out. I honestly believe the reason was not enough passengers.

Seriousely unimpressed at the time.


JamesMc