Looking for something new and kid-suitable

[ssloane]

Hello,

My boys are all good hikers, aged 14, 12, 10. I'd like to find a 3-4 day hike in Tasmania that we haven't already done. We've done Walls of Jerusalem including the circuit around past Lake Adelaide, Lees Paddocks then up to Pelion and back, Maria Island to Encampment Cove and back and we've done the Freycinet Circuit including the climb up Mt. Freycinet.

They all keep saying they want to go to the Bay of Fires, but is there any camping in there, and what route would we take? We have to do a return trip or circuit - there's no one who would pick us up at the end of a one-way trek. The kids love it when we hike to somewhere, camp, and then do day walks (less time carrying the full packs). I'd be quite interested in doing something in one of the major wilderness areas as we are likely to have an international visitor with us and it would be good to "show off" some of Tasmania's best scenery. Is there something we could do in the Lake Peddar area?

I've also heard there is a new track somewhere down south . . . but I don't know much about it or even if it's finished. We usually fly into Devonport and visit family then head out from there, but we could instead fly into Hobart or Launceston.

Any suggestions are welcome.

sesl

[Scottyk]

If the weather is good the view from the top of Mount Eliza is outstanding over Lake Pedder and the South West National Park. Can be done easily as a day walk and the hut at the base of the really steep bit gives the not so motivated the chance to stop and wait for the rest to return.

[ssloane]

Thanks. Can you give me a rough itinerary? Do we drive to Lake Peddar and then walk? Is there camping in there somewhere? Obviously I'll get a proper map, but I'm trying to work out if this would work as part of a 3-4 day hiking trip. It sounds like a great suggestion.

I think there is a track from Lake Peddar to Melaleuca - do you know if it's possible to do part of that and then back out?

[geoskid]

G'day Sesl,

Have you considered the Pine Valley/Labyrinth area?
I'm keen on that area at the moment with my boys because it can be as hard or easy as suits the weather, time available , mood of everyone - so many options.

[ssloane]

no, I've never even heard of it. Where is it?

[Scottyk]

Thanks. Can you give me a rough itinerary? Do we drive to Lake Peddar and then walk? Is there camping in there somewhere? Obviously I'll get a proper map, but I'm trying to work out if this would work as part of a 3-4 day hiking trip. It sounds like a great suggestion.

I think there is a track from Lake Peddar to Melaleuca - do you know if it's possible to do part of that and then back out?

You have lots of good questions.
Nearly all of them can be answered with one book.
http://www.john.chapman.name/pub-sw.html
There is not many people who walk in SW Tas without owning a copy of this.

[Scottyk]

no, I've never even heard of it. Where is it?

Then for that question you'll need this book
http://www.john.chapman.name/pub-cr.html
I am not trying to give you dead ends here but once you get the book it will all become so clear!

[icefest]

I love my copy of that book. It is easily the most loved looking book I have.

[Scottyk]

They both spend most of their life in the loin my house! Thumb through them and think of the next trip

[ssloane]

Thank you. I'm actually quite familiar with John Chapman's books and recently used one when I walked the SCT. What he doesn't really address is whether tracks are suitable for kids. Kids have particular needs. Their legs are shorter which means that high steps can be a problem. What is described as a "rock scramble" for an adult can be the equivalent of an escarpment for a kid. Also a lot of foliage at adult chest height hits kids in the face, so if a path is very overgrown the poor kids are walking along with shrubbery scraping their cheeks - not a problem for the adults who have it scraping their packs and chests.

People who've walked with kids are usually the best at recommending suitable tracks for kids. Thanks for the suggestions though - the logistics are always quite well explained in JC's books.

[Strider]

Thanks to Hallu I acquired both these books recently and they are a wealth of knowledge!

[Scottyk]

Thank you. I'm actually quite familiar with John Chapman's books and recently used one when I walked the SCT. What he doesn't really address is whether tracks are suitable for kids. Kids have particular needs. Their legs are shorter which means that high steps can be a problem. What is described as a "rock scramble" for an adult can be the equivalent of an escarpment for a kid. Also a lot of foliage at adult chest height hits kids in the face, so if a path is very overgrown the poor kids are walking along with shrubbery scraping their cheeks - not a problem for the adults who have it scraping their packs and chests.

People who've walked with kids are usually the best at recommending suitable tracks for kids. Thanks for the suggestions though - the logistics are always quite well explained in JC's books.

I haven't walked with kids but I would say that the Mount Anne Track to the High Camp Hut would be ok for kids. The track is well formed and steps are in place for some of it, no real scrub to hit low faces. The bit after high camp to the top of Mount Eliza is a bit more of a scramble and boulder hop and maybe be a challenge for little legs but the views from the hut are worth the walk in good weather. The top of Eliza is only another 40 minutes so people left at the hut shouldn't be too bored and they have shelter and a toilet at least.
As you say the questions of logistics are covered in Chapman's books.
This pic shows the track, as I said only for good weather really

[north-north-west]

I haven't walked with kids but I would say that the Mount Anne Track to the High Camp Hut would be ok for kids. The track is well formed and steps are in place for some of it, no real scrub to hit low faces. The bit after high camp to the top of Mount Eliza is a bit more of a scramble and boulder hop and maybe be a challenge for little legs but the views from the hut are worth the walk in good weather. The top of Eliza is only another 40 minutes so people left at the hut shouldn't be too bored and they have shelter and a toilet at least.

There are some very high steps on the Condo Creek Track to High Camp Hut - not a lot, but some. I know adults who have a little difficulty with them.
Otherwise I agree, it would be a good walk.

Pine Valley would also be a goer. There is good camping in the Labyrinth and on the Acropolis Plateau, both are easy to reach with good if occasionally steep tracks, and there are extensions to be made such as the Acropolis summit if they're up to it, or Walled Mtn.

There is also the Cape Pillar circuit, from Fortescue Bay - there are scheduled track closures for work on the Three Capes Track, but access is fine from Fridays through Sundays. Good camping at various points and a good track that's usually well maintained.

Or Mt Field? From Dobson or Fenton there are good tracks and it's easy to make a circuit that would include Webster, Newdegate Pass, The Watcher, maybe a sidetrip out to Field West. There are huts if the weather goes pear-shaped and some very good camping.

With three kids it's all much more weather dependent of course.

[gayet]

With 3 kids I think Pine valley / labyrinth would be great. You have the boat ride along the lake to start followed by the pleasant and easy walk to Pine valley. A hut and plenty of camping spots (even if dampish) at that level and can make day walks up into the Labyrinth or over to the Acropolis etc. You could also spend a night up in the labyrinth. The climbs are doable and easier without full packs and there is much to see and a good variety as well. Then a downhill wander back to the top of the lake and another boat ride back. 3 - 4 days would see you cover a lot of the kid accecssible area without pushing it. Given favourable weather of course.

[Scottyk]

I am not so sure about the Labyrinth for kids. The tack from the hut up to the Labyrinth itself is very steep and might be a real struggle for kids I would think.
The section from the ferry to the hut is certainly very kid friendly, I agree there.

[ssloane]

Can we be in there (Pine Valley/Labyrinth) during the peak season? Isn't this part of the Overland Track and everything has to be booked in advance? We'll be in Tas in late December.

Great ideas- I've been doing a little google-image research with all your suggestions and now I'm dying to get out there.

seal

[north-north-west]

Disregard the signs at Narcissus and all the OT stuff - Pine Valley is open to everyone at all times. You will be walking part of the official OT but free access is allowed for certain sections and that is one of them.
Late December's not a bad time to be there - the scoparia should be in flower.