Tasmania newbie

[PDG]

Hi all,

I have only yesterday stumbled across this forum and it seems there is an absolute wealth of knowledge on here! I'm hoping some of you may be able to help me out.

We (myself and my partner) have 2 weeks in Tasmania over xmas and new years and we're wanting to do some walks over that period. So far, my research has been solely based off the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website, and despite this having some great information on it (but probably only the most common walks/tracks?), I was looking for some advice from people with good or otherwise experiences of walks which are not on this website.

A bit about us and what we would like out of the trip: mid to late 20's both fit, decent walking experience in NZ however none in Tasmania, happy tenting and extended walks and essentially we want to see Tasmanian scenery (some coast would be nice) at it's best.

We have 14 days and would like to spend the majority of it walking. My current thoughts from what I have read are to do the Overland Track and then the Tasman Coastal Trail (I read that a section of this is currently closed due to construction - does this limit/spoil the walk?). How do these walks rate in comparison to others of a similar distance/difficulty? This would take up about 10 or so days and we were going to spend the rest of it in/around Hobart and some wine regions. We are flying in from Canberra and do not have access to a vehicle down there so our only transport will be by bus/taxi.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated and I'm sorry in advance if this question has come up before.

Cheers
Paul

[walkabout]

Welcome Paul,

While I can't give you advice re any walks (I am a relative newbie myself), I know you will find lots of helpful advice from forum members and topic searches. This is a great resource.

Safe travelling,
walkabout.

[north-north-west]

Currently the Cape Pillar section of the Tasman Coastal Track is closed Mondays through Thursdays for construction work on the Three Capes Track. If you start at Fortescue Bay on a Friday, do the Cape Pillar Loop and then head north, or otherwise just time your arrival at the start of that section appropriately, you can do the walk without any issues. Just keep an eye on the weather forecasts - if it's supposed to get windy, think twice about Pillar, because that's a very wind-prone area.

As for other recommendations, there's plenty of variety and plenty of less frequented routes than the OT and TCT, even at the height of the christmas period. Does it have to be tracked?
Don't get me wrong, they're great walks, but they tend to be a bit cramped over summer. The tracks are generally among the better maintained on the island, and while the OT huts aren't up to the NZ level, they're comfortable enough if you're into huts.

Bus from Cynthia Bay to Hobart is easy enough to organise. If you need a ride from there to Waterfall or Fortescue Bay to start the TCT, I'm sure someone on the forum would oblige. I'll do it myself if I'm not busy elsewhere.

[icefest]

You can fly in to Melaleuca and walk the South West cape - and then fly out again.
All can easily be done without car (but weather may limit some flights).

This is a difficult walk and does require navigation competency but has some incredible coastal scenery.

[PDG]

Hi north-north-west,

Thanks for your reply.

Okay, I thought maybe a section of the TCT was shut off completely meaning it might be off the cards altogether.

As for OT and TCT alternatives, no they do not need to be tracked, I'd actually prefer something a little quieter as that's part of the reason we chose Tazzy - to have some quiet time Do you have any in mind? The only thing which would need to be considered would be the lack of freedom which comes with having access to a car...unless there are frequent bus services which operate. I kinda thought that doing these so close to xmas might mean they were a bit quieter, but maybe I was being naive! I'm not that phased if we don't get to stay in huts so if you have something in mind then do let me know.

Thanks for your generous offer of the ride! I will keep that in mind

[PDG]

The South Coast Track was the pick of the bunch from what I saw on the Tas Parks website, but in the end ruled it out as I thought it was a little intimidating as a first walk in Tasmania. I would love to do it at some stage though, it looks incredible!!

[icefest]

The South Coast Track was the pick of the bunch from what I saw on the Tas Parks website, but in the end ruled it out as I thought it was a little intimidating as a first walk in Tasmania. I would love to do it at some stage though, it looks incredible!!

The SCT is bothersome without a car as transport to Cockle Creek is irksome at best.

OT and TCT are veritably overrun in comparison.

[Strider]

Freycinet?

[PDG]

Freycinet is definitely an option. I understand this is made up of a lot of smaller walks, is that correct?

[Strider]

No that's not entirely correct. There are some shorter walks (Mt Amos, Friendly Beaches, etc.) but the main circuit is done over two to three days, I suggest three or maybe even four if you want to check out Bryan's Beach which is right at the southern end of the peninsula. There are two major peaks to climb (Mts Graham and Freycinet) and quite a variety of scenery and vegetation. Water can be scarce in summer.

[bumpingbill]

The South Coast Track, as someone else mentioned, has heaps of options.

Flying in/out means you leave from the airport - so you can easily take a taxi to/from.

You could then walk down the trail, but instead of heading east, you can go west out to the cape. Then, you can walk back and fly back!

Not too many people around either, as most will do the SCT.

If you go here: http://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map and type "New Harbour Point" into the search bar, you'll see the area I'm talking about. The track branches off the SCT at the north end of the New Harbour Range.

Alternatively, you could walk to Point Eric or the end of Cox Bight for a night and walk back over the New Harbour Range, stay at New Habour (there's a campsite somewhere there), walk further towards the cape the next day, then turn around and come back via the western side of the New Harbour Range.

[north-north-west]

Freycinet will be cheek to jowl over Christmas hols.

Transport is the big limiting factor for you. There's some wonderful offtrack walking on the Ben Lomond plateau - straightforward navigation, light scrub (by Tassie standards), really good country, and not many people. But getting there and out would be awkward without a car. The Central Plateau is similar on a larger scale - you can start just about anywhere you can park, and just wander for days.
Frenchmans Cap track is easily accessible by bus and is one of our most stunning walks. It would be a good option.