Bushwalk Australia

Hey there Walkers..
I'm currently planning my "Great Tassie Adventure" to be undertaken January (probably early to mid), to Mid Feb.

The idea is to spend a lot of time walking, connecting as many hikes up as possible, but am feeling a bit swamped with information, as I'm a novice when it comes to Tasmania, and so much of it appears breathtaking, and lush.
(and am obviously attempting to trowel my way through the wonderful reports and info on this site).

So far I have the Penguin Trail connecting up to the Overland Track (booked for 28/1/16).
Am looking at fitting in (at least):
- Western Arthurs
- Frenchman Cap
- Freycinet Peninsula
- Walls of Jerusalem
- South Coast Walk

*REVISION*
Am tantalised by the idea of making it from Penguin, down to the bottom of Tassie (or just about)
Am thinking Penguin, in to Overland, detouring to Walls of Jerusalem.
Then down to Frenchman Cap.
Arthurs from West to East.


I wouldn't call myself an overly experienced hiker, however I am capable - having completed the Larapinta end-to-end this year, solo, carrying my own food.
I also have navigational abilities.
I am not afraid of challenge, and Bush Bashing.

Hi aNomaly, I'm sure you'll receive some useful advice from the many Tassie locals on this forum. As a mainlander myself I'm not sure I would choose to do the penguin/cradle trail when visiting for the first time. It's scenic, I just think that there's nicer walks but if your aim is to make one long walk I guess this might suit. The other issue is that you need to start the OT on your booked date so you'd need to be sure of finishing penguin/cradle trail in time. You could link Walls of Jerusalem with the OT part of the way along, but it would involve some off track walking. Another option for extending your OT walk might be to spend a couple of days around Pine Valley.It would be reasonably easy to do Frenchman's Cap after the OT as it's not too far away from Lake St. Clair. You can't really link Freycinet with your other walks but it is quite different in terms of scenery and offers reasonably straightforward walking (water might be a consideration at that time of year).
Not to be negative but I don't really think walking the Larapinta is necessarily preparation for either the South Coast Track or Western Arthurs in part because of the extreme weather you can experience at any time of year. I'm from WA and years of walking and outdoor recreation here did not prepare me for the rigours of Tassie, I knew what to expect but knowing and experiencing are different. It depends on your other outdoor experience I guess, but your walk won't be enjoyable if it turns into a complete sufferfest (think walking all day in snow/sleet/rain with a heavy pack and wind so strong it is hard to stand upright). Obviously summer months give you the best chance of fine weather but it's by no means guaranteed. If you don't have it already you should get John Chapman's book "Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks" as it has a fair bit of information, there is another one for Southwest Tasmania.
Anyway goodluck with whatever walks you choose.

Cheers Hermione.
I've changed my 'vision' a bit.
Would love to try and walk the length of Tassie.
There's always time to return and explore Tarkine, etc.
Like the idea of spire hopping and traversing the Arthurs.
Very much looking forward to navigating.

And very much agree on Larapinta being a totally different experience than what this represents.
Have been bashing around for the year in and around Namadgi NP though.

The most difficult section with the state link up is from the Lyell Highway to Gordon River Road IMHO..Unless you have the go-go to cross a succession of trackless ranges - I'd concentrate on Section 1 (Penguin/Overland/Walls/Frenchmans), maybe do a drive along the East Coast on your way down South somehow - then jump on again for Section 2 (Southern Ranges/South Coast/Port Davey/W+E Arthurs to finish it off. You're going to need to organise food drops fo sure. Good luck

The first proposition sounds like an excellent plan aNomaly. Pick the cream of the crop, work your way from north to south, and choose walks in increasing difficulty. Remember the rest days in between. If your body is not used to hiking, consider trekking poles, especially if your knees are not particularly strong.

Don't be surprised if your feet won't feel like stopping at the end.

As for walking Tassie North to South, it's been done before, but it takes two months and may be better suited to those with more tasmanian experience. You could probably do it, but I think you'd enjoy picking the cream of the crop and linking up a series of shorter hikes instead. As it is, the Arthurs Range could take you 2 weeks, if you did the full trip. That's a long walk!

Let us know how you decide!

Thanks Andy - am starting to think that I'm being a tad ambitious wanting to do the whole slog (even though I was planning on having a mid-way point where I hitch out to resupply).. However it is most certainly going to be a future goal. Just not enough time up my sleeve at this stage - for both prep and the act of hiking.

Will most certainly post an update of my Adventure, though.. Arthurs Range feels like a must.

I love the sense of adventure and hope you get to have a ago at some of it.

I couldn't do what you are suggesting, well I could if it wasn't for two things.......fitness and ability

My only advice is be prepared for all weather and carry a plb. Good luck and keep us posted.

I think many of the places you mentioned are deserving of an expedition in their own right.

But if it's a north to south walk you want to do, why not tackle the Tasmanian Trail?

RonK wrote:But if it's a north to south walk you want to do, why not tackle the Tasmanian Trail?

The planned route would be much more interesting than the Tasmanian Trail, which is a good cross-section of Tasmanian farms and forests, but not wilderness and not so much great scenery.

MrWalker wrote:

RonK wrote:But if it's a north to south walk you want to do, why not tackle the Tasmanian Trail?

The planned route would be much more interesting than the Tasmanian Trail, which is a good cross-section of Tasmanian farms and forests, but not wilderness and not so much great scenery.

My thoughts exactly on the Tassie trail.
It'd certainly get me there, however I don't really feel like walking on (essentially) fire trails for k after k after k.

Will see what happens as the picture forms, and the pieces fall.

If I don't do the full slog this trip, it will most certainly be done (in my own unique way), on some future occasion

It's on!
The final decision was to go Pengiun through to the end of Overland, jumping off at various points. I'll be doing Du Canne at the end of the overland.

An image of the organised chaos which is my planning process