Bookings for Three Capes Track now open

[MrWalker]

Does anyone familiar with the area know if you can walk to Denmans Cove, instead of taking the boat trip? A 4 hour return walk to Denmans Cover is described in "Peninsular Tracks" by Peter & Shirley Storey, but they said the last part of the track was overgrown in 1996.

[vicrev]

A nice new Casino would be the next logical step.......now where could it go ???

[weetbix456]

One for you and mates:

Screen Shot 2015-09-19 at 1.16.42 AM.png

Hahahaha...ummm this has me stumped...not sure where to go from here??

[weetbix456]

From ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-19/fears-families-priced-out-of-tasmanias-three-capes-track/6788146

This is a good start. Will be searching for this quote down the track if finicky business establishes itself a little later on

"""The Cape Piller Track from Fortescue Bay, which has been closed during construction, will reopen by the end of the year.

"I just want to reiterate the point that all existing access to the Tasman Peninsula National Park will continue, all existing uses are available with a Parks Pass," Mr Groom said."""

.......

I would like to see a camping option in the near future for around half the going current rate.

[Nuts]

ha, sorry, googled 'frown' and, while not the perfect example, I thought she was more interesting than George Bush Jr

I think you have the answer you needed anyway, in that respect. Compliments of Mr Groom. 'All existing uses are available'!!

[weetbix456]

ha, sorry, googled 'frown' and, while not the perfect example, I thought she was more interesting than George Bush Jr

I think you have the answer you needed anyway, in that respect. Compliments of Mr Groom. 'All existing uses are available'!!

Hahaha!! Most suspicious "frown" ever!! Very well. Fingers crossed!!

[Hallu]

Don't forget that the number of early bookings can easily be inflated by handing out free passes precisely to get the buzz going. I don't believe this will be as popular as the OT. The OT gives you access to areas you can't explore with day walks, while all 3 capes can be accessed as day walks (granted, quite a long one for cape pillar).

[wayno]

yeah , its a short walk for a three night walk and for the price. i think its more likely to attract rich relative novices who can't or dont want to walk big distance and don't realise the drawbacks and are willing to hand over the money unquestioningly.
it may inadvertently end up making more people walk it as day walks than pay the money...

[Orion]

Is it possible to do as a day hike now?

[wayno]

this parks map only shows walking access from fortescue bay on two different tracks that make a loop

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3884

[Orion]

I'm familiar with the tracks, just not 100% clear on whether unrestricted day hiking will be allowed.

[weetbix456]

Is it possible to do as a day hike now?

Cape Pillar could be done as a long day walk (8 - 12 hours), utilizing the direct old track from Fortescue. Open Sat-Sun at the moment apparently.

The routes over Mt Fortescue & around Arthurs Peak are currently closed at all times from what I could see.

[Wherever I may roam]

Wow. I had thought of using this track as an opportunity to introduce my young kids to multi day hikes but I didn't expect the cost to be so high, considering I still have travel/accommodation costs coming from interstate. Granted it includes a boat trip and bus transport but it is not enticing at all. I just hope the huts aren't like the Windy Ridge Hut on the OT!

[Wherever I may roam]

Reading further on the site http://www.threecapestrack.com.au/experience.html, we must be thankful that... "Any migratory whales, dolphins or fur seals are complimentary." Crikey did they consider a surcharge!

[vicrev]

Reading further on the site http://www.threecapestrack.com.au/experience.html, we must be thankful that... "Any migratory whales, dolphins or fur seals are complimentary." Crikey did they consider a surcharge!

At that price,I hope they're not cardboard cut outs.. ...

[Hallu]

Not to mention that you don't have to take a boat to see seals and whales. Whales can be seen from the coast, and there's a colony of seals at the foot of Cape Raoul you can see from the left lookout.

[tasmaniac]

All along I've thought the idea of linking Cape Raoul with the other two capes was a ludicrous waste of money and effort. I hope I'm wrong and that PWS actually make a profit from it that can fund work on other tracks that need attention. However at the prices they are charging I can't see it being overly popular.
Cape Pillar is one of the most spectacular destinations imaginable, but the walk in via the direct route is one of the more boring that I know of. If the walk between Port Arthur and Cape Raoul is anything like that, which it probably is, it certainly isn't worth paying money to do it, especially when it's an easy free daywalk.
I personally am not a hut person and I resent being told I can only spend one night at each location, especially when weather can play such a major role in safely enjoying such an exposed area. So, this is definitely not for me.
I also feel that the Cape Hauy track (road) is way over the top. I appreciate the effort and skill that has gone into it, but it is unnecessarily wide and is an ugly scar on the beautiful landscape.
I'm fearful of the apparently misguided priorities of PWS and that this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

[Strider]

This actually makes me angry. A truly unique place ruined.



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[wayno]

i cant work out where they may have found a precedent for charging this much for a walk like this. it may end up being a bad experiment in how to try and fund and under funded parks dept.. i dont see how you can charge hotel prices for a bunk in a hut and an unguided unserviced walk.. kiwis get irate enough about paying taxes and forking out the extra money for the nz great walks but the capes walk makes the great walks look like pocket money.

[weetbix456]

Any further booking stats after the initial 24 hours?? I wonder how the "Book now, to go into the running to win yourself a full reimbursement!!" campaign is going..

[msw]

The ridiculously high price for the Two Capes walk has guaranteed that people will walk it as a daywalk OR they will unofficially re-open the attempt to close old campsites.

My plan in future is to do a circuit from the forestry area that accesses the track near Snake Hill - to Cape Pillar, Arthurs Peak then head back from Surveyors Cove to the forestry area OR do a 'bike shuffle' between Andersons Road back to the Forestry area on Fortescue Rd.

$500 ... dreaming!

[rbyusi]

is booking really a must? Will I still need to pay even if I will just sleep on my tent?

[Hallu]

I'm also afraid there's gonna be a lot of illegal (but somehow justified) camping done along the track as a reaction to all this. I know the average bushwalker isn't really confrontational, but this kind of action is pushing him over the edge.

[corvus]

Correct me if I am wrong but I read that camping with just a Parks Pass will be an option (perhaps when the official old camp sites are available ? ) if we are self sufficient and non official sites are available perhaps that is the go!! what were the toilet facilities at those official sites ??

[Hallu]

They're saying that all previous campsites will be closed and only one rehabilitated campground with 6 tentsites will be reopened.

[devoswitch]

I read a few posts back that Pillar could be done as a day walk? I was thinking about doing it on Friday but from what I hear the tracks open only on sat/sun? I can't find too much info on it?

[MrWalker]

I read a few posts back that Pillar could be done as a day walk? I was thinking about doing it on Friday but from what I hear the tracks open only on sat/sun? I can't find too much info on it?

Restricted access to the Cape Pillar Track for construction of the Three Capes
Updated 18 August 2015

Due to the construction of the Three Capes Track, it is necessary to restrict access to the Cape Pillar Track in the interests of public safety.

The inland Cape Pillar Track from Fortescue Bay is closed on Mondays through to Fridays inclusive while track crews are working and helicopters are delivering materials. Walkers are permitted to walk the track on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Mount Fortescue Track is closed seven days per week.

This is on the Parks website under track and Reserve Closures.

[devoswitch]

Thanks for that Mrwalker. My plans to see the Cape... ruined what about the coastal track as a day walk down to pillar? Has anyone here done that before?

[bumpingbill]

Somewhat of a backflip today by Parks. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 7512044296

Also an update on bookings (524).

Lots of experiences to be had. Boating experiences, camping experiences, a wide range of experiences really.

Code:

Three Capes Track Update
• Tasmania’s national parks remain open and accessible to all Tasmanians.
• The Tasman National Park will continue to provide a wide range of experiences to users from picnickers and boaters, to campers and walkers – all accessible for the cost of a parks entry fee.
• For the cost of a $12 parks pass Tasmanians can continue to enjoy an array of experiences in the Tasman National Park including day walks to Cape Hauy, Cape Raoul and Shipstern Bluff.
• Again, for $24 Tasmanians will be able to enjoy an overnight Cape Pillar camping experience which includes access to a spectacular segment of the brand new Three Capes Track.
• Camping will be permitted in designated sites.
• Planning is underway for a camping facility to support the overnight walk to Cape Pillar and this will be available by the time the Three Capes Track opens on 23 December.
• While camping facilities for this track are still being finalised they will not be limited to 6 tents. The earlier advice included on our Facebook page was not correct in this respect. We will ensure the facilities are sufficient to meet anticipated demand.
• The Three Capes Track experience itself is a dedicated world class walking experience which includes:
Access to the historic Port Arthur World Heritage Area;
A 75 minute Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boating experience;
All park entry fees;
Three (3) nights’ accommodation in state of the art, eco-friendly huts;
Access to dedicated host rangers and;
Transport from Fortescue Bay back to Port Arthur and a guidebook on the area
• Because of the anticipated popularity of the walk, it is a regulated walk with numbers constrained in order to manage environmental impacts while ensuring it remains a world-class nature based experience.
• There are also discounted rates for concession holders, children and student groups.
• In addition, the State Government is considering a range of options that will afford as many Tasmanians as possible the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary Three Capes Track experience.
• Up until this morning, 524 bookings for the new Three Capes Track Experience have been confirmed - from Tasmania, around the country and around the world.

[corvus]

Somewhat of a backflip today by Parks. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 7512044296

Also an update on bookings (524).

Lots of experiences to be had. Boating experiences, camping experiences, a wide range of experiences really.

Code:

Three Capes Track Update
• Tasmania’s national parks remain open and accessible to all Tasmanians.
• The Tasman National Park will continue to provide a wide range of experiences to users from picnickers and boaters, to campers and walkers – all accessible for the cost of a parks entry fee.
• For the cost of a $12 parks pass Tasmanians can continue to enjoy an array of experiences in the Tasman National Park including day walks to Cape Hauy, Cape Raoul and Shipstern Bluff.
• Again, for $24 Tasmanians will be able to enjoy an overnight Cape Pillar camping experience which includes access to a spectacular segment of the brand new Three Capes Track.
• Camping will be permitted in designated sites.
• Planning is underway for a camping facility to support the overnight walk to Cape Pillar and this will be available by the time the Three Capes Track opens on 23 December.
• While camping facilities for this track are still being finalised they will not be limited to 6 tents. The earlier advice included on our Facebook page was not correct in this respect. We will ensure the facilities are sufficient to meet anticipated demand.
• The Three Capes Track experience itself is a dedicated world class walking experience which includes:
Access to the historic Port Arthur World Heritage Area;
A 75 minute Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boating experience;
All park entry fees;
Three (3) nights’ accommodation in state of the art, eco-friendly huts;
Access to dedicated host rangers and;
Transport from Fortescue Bay back to Port Arthur and a guidebook on the area
• Because of the anticipated popularity of the walk, it is a regulated walk with numbers constrained in order to manage environmental impacts while ensuring it remains a world-class nature based experience.
• There are also discounted rates for concession holders, children and student groups.
• In addition, the State Government is considering a range of options that will afford as many Tasmanians as possible the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary Three Capes Track experience.
• Up until this morning, 524 bookings for the new Three Capes Track Experience have been confirmed - from Tasmania, around the country and around the world.

Looks like what I read was correct just need to know about the toilets now.