Bushwalk Australia

G'day folks,
Brand new to the forum, and about to relocate from Sydney to southern Tas. Can't wait!

A mate and I are travelling to Tas on 18-July and are looking for a 4-day/3-night hike, but we're having trouble identifying something that fits our needs:
- we're not sufficiently experienced (yet) to be boulder-hoping across snowy trails
- we'd really like to have 3 nights on the same trail (ie, not break the hike by driving anywhere)
- we're aware of the Three Capes Track, but I've already done it and we're both looking for more of a camping-in-tents experience
- we're both fairly fit (healthy 37yr olds), but don't want to be trying to set any speed records.

The Freycinet Penisula Circuit seems our best option, though it's not really a 3-night walk in my opinion.

I'd welcome any suggestions.

Looking forward to more interaction with this forum.
Thanks in advance!

The Freycinet Penisula Circuit would be a really good place to get started/a bit more experience, especially in July. The days/daylight hours are much shorter (7am-5pm) and it's coastal, so much less chance of snow

One to try when the days are longer, and weather more stable is the Mount Anne Circuit. It's a cracker IMO. If you walk out to some of the side lakes/Lots Wife/etc. it's easily 3 nights/4 days.

You could do part of the South West Track though. Walk in from Cockle Creek for a few days, turn around and come back. That'd be a nice/challenging walk.

The ones I'd usually recommend are in the highlands, which are subject to snow/lots of rain and can be challenging in winter.

Another option could be a winter traverse of the Overland Track. It's free in July too. Bit longer than 3 nights. Probably double that.

Not sure is I would try Mount Anne or the full circuit at this time of year, plenty of ice and snow. I consider myself reasonably experienced and I wouldn't go there in the middle of winter.

This time of year the coastal variety of walks are the best. Freycinet would be my pick as it is on the east coat so in the shadow of the rest of the island from the harsh weather that comes from our west at this tie of year.

If I was really going to have a go during winter for a 3 night trip I would want somewhere with huts to use as a base to retreat to if the weather gets really bad. Pine Valley hut is a good one for this as it presents so many options once you get there and after you head out for a day trip you have the safety of a hut to retreat to. Pelion Hut via Arm River track is also in this category with lots to see in the area but snow on the way in can be expected at times. Just keep in mind that it could be just raining and very cold for the whole three days, not all that nice and that's why a lot os us Taswegians might do overnighters during winter but leave the longer walks for summer.

Heaps to see and do on Maria Island . Nice safe option at this time of the year. Save the alpine stuff for summer if you dont know what you are getting into .

Greetings.

You could make the coles bay trip into a three nighter, (2 nights at cooks 1 at wineglass) spending a shortish day walking down / along the coast to byrants beach (however you spell it) and exploring the coast.

Anne I wouldn't touch this time of year, probably unless you were experienced with ropes ice and the so forth and were prepared to endure a world of pain. Maybe I am getting old

Maria camping down the southern end (just beyond the farm house) for a couple of nights ( day two head to the end of the island) day 3 over mount maria and the last night exploring the township is always a good trip

Pine valley and walking out via the lake would be a good option in good weather.

Cheers The old fart

Scottyk wrote:Not sure is I would try Mount Anne or the full circuit at this time of year

For what it's worth, I never suggested it be done in winter. I specifically said "One to try when the days are longer, and weather more stable".

bumpingbill wrote:

Scottyk wrote:Not sure is I would try Mount Anne or the full circuit at this time of year

For what it's worth, I never suggested it be done in winter. I specifically said "One to try when the days are longer, and weather more stable".

Yeah fair enough, should have read your post a bit more carefully.
I suppose I just wanted to make sure that Mount Anne was off the list in winter for the uninitiated.

I agree with Scottyk.

Arm River Track into Pelion Hut or a few days in Pine Valley.

I would be looking at Frenchman's once the weather warms up. A fourth vote for Pine Valley.

The OP mentions 18th july so I guess his walk would be in 3rd week of july so maybe a lower elevation walk would suit.
The Arm river track and all upper Mersey access is going to be closed (gated)by Forestry and/Parks for our safety.
How about the Blue tier area, Douglas Apsley, or Frecinet.

FF

If you add the Amos track and the sidetrips to Mt Freycinet and Bryans Beach, Freycinet would be a good fit. You can also camp at Friendly Beaches for a night and explore that bit of coastline, which is beautiful and far less heavily visited than the main part of the peninsula.