Five Days in and around The Walls

[Wanderer7]

Hi there, I am very impressed with your website. A tonne of info available here.

Thinking of spending five days in January walking around the Walls of Jerusalem NP and Cradle Mtn NP.
I'm just after any information/ advice/ links that would help me prepare better. I will be walking with someone else who has a fair bit of bushwalking experience, just not in Tasmania. Both our strength and fitness levels are very good.

Firstly, access would probably be by public transport and from Hobart. Is the Eastern Access suitable or would I be better approaching from the North ( Mersey Road?) via Launceston?

Secondly, I would prefer to do a circuit type walk for the five days, camping somewhere different each night or would I be better off setting up a base camp and doing individual day tracks? Can anyone recommend a good five day walk from either the above access spots?

Thirdly, what kind of weather should i expect at this time of year? I've read that some areas of the park are quite exposed. Average nightime lows and daytime highs? Much wind and rain?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Wanderer7]

Att. admin.

Sorry, i posted this topic in the wrong forum.
Could you please move to Locations and Walks in Tasmania forum.
Thx.

[Son of a Beach]

No problems... topic moved.

Thinking of spending five days in January walking around the Walls of Jerusalem NP and Cradle Mtn NP.

With only five days up your sleeve, you may want to consider doing just one or the other rather than both. You can certainly walk through (parts of) both in five days, but could easily spend five days in either one or the other, and get a much better look at one area.

I'm just after any information/ advice/ links that would help me prepare better. I will be walking with someone else who has a fair bit of bushwalking experience, just not in Tasmania. Both our strength and fitness levels are very good.

Well, you've come to the right place. I'm sure you'll get a few other people offering advice over the next few days (although a lot of the regulars here are off walking this weekend - in the area in question even).

Firstly, access would probably be by public transport and from Hobart. Is the Eastern Access suitable or would I be better approaching from the North ( Mersey Road?) via Launceston?

Public transport to these relatively remote parts of Tasmania is not terribly good, and has actually got worse in recent times, so I've been led to believe (I've never used it myself, so I'm not sure of the details). In general, the Walls of Jerusalem and the Northern parts of the Cradle Mtn - Lake St Clair NP is easier accessed from Launceston, and the Southern part of the Cradle - St Clair NP is easier accessed from Hobart. Which 'Easter Access' do you mean? Were you thinking of Higgs, McKenzie, or somewhere like that? If so, I don't know of any public transport that would go there apart from a very expensive taxi or charter.

Secondly, I would prefer to do a circuit type walk for the five days, camping somewhere different each night or would I be better off setting up a base camp and doing individual day tracks? Can anyone recommend a good five day walk from either the above access spots?

Check out the suggestions on some similar topics here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1331
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1185
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1027

The Mersey Forest Road certainly offers a lot. Get a good map and check out the half-dozen or so tracks that start from this road, most of which can be joined up to form a circuit (some of which would require several kilometres of gravel road at the beginning/end to make a full circuit, if using your own car).

Thirdly, what kind of weather should i expect at this time of year? I've read that some areas of the park are quite exposed. Average nightime lows and daytime highs? Much wind and rain?

There is the possibility of snow/frost/blizzards and below zero temperatures at any time of year in Tasmania (I've been snowed on in January). In January, there is also the possibility of mid-30's. So you'll really need to be prepared for a wide range of possibilities.

[Robbo]

Hello Wanderer7

Great to have you on the forum. I agree with Nik re one or the other. There is transport to and from Cradle Mt, but there is more people at the time of year you are there. The Walls is spectacular in its own way but will require more planning to get in and out. David Noble mentions on his website that he gets a bus to Deloraine from Launceston and then a taxi to the start of the Higgs Track on the north eastern side of the Central Plateau. It is then a couple of days into the Walls. You then have numerous options of where to go, but probably best to get back onto the Mersey Road at the Moses Creek Track, or Lake Myrtle Track.

You would have to arrange some other method to get transport out from either of these places.

If you are new to the area I'd recommend you get yourself a copy of Chapman's excellent guidebook.

Thirdly, what kind of weather should i expect at this time of year? I've read that some areas of the park are quite exposed. Average nightime lows and daytime highs? Much wind and rain?

Re weather for the Walls, check the BOM site: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJD ... test.shtml for Liawenee. While it is a little drier and warmer than the Walls it will give you an idea of what to expect - it was 0 degrees at 7am this morning, and precipitating as well!

Good luck with your plans. I will be in the area from January 5 to 14 as well.

Tony Robinson

[Wanderer7]

Thanks Nik and Robbo for the replies.

Reading your posts and looking again at the area, i agree that one or the other is the only option. I picked up Chapmans guide book as suggested and i'm combing through the many suggestions for walks and access to The Walls NP.
We may now have the use of a car whilst in Tassie and it looks as though this is a must to get in and out. My only worry is....how safe is it to leave a vehicle in one of these access carparks for a few days? I understand that there is more people around in January so is the risk less? I am mainly talking about areas like the main Walls carpark off Mersey Forest Rd, also Lake McKenzie Rd, carparks at the start of the Higgs Track or even the one at Lake Ada in from Liawenee.
I have'nt read anything specific about vandalism but it's just a concern.

Just wondering if anyone has had any bad experiences.

[corvus]

Wanderer we leave our vehicles in these area's frequently just ensure you dont have any provocative stickers of any flavour attached.

[Son of a Beach]

I've not personally had problems, and neither has anyone I know, but I do know that there are problems. Not only have I heard of vandalism and theft in bushwalking car parks on the grapevine, but I have seen cars in the Walls of J carpark with windows broken (and shattered glass on the ground below). The Frenchmans Cap carpark has a very bad reputation also.

So be sure to leave nothing of value in your car, and if you absolutely have to, make sure it is well out of sight.

[johnw]

Hi Wanderer7,
I've left my vehicle at the main WOJ carpark, Lees Paddocks track on the Mersey Forest Rd, Higgs Track, and on the Lake Mackenzie Rd for day trips of varying lengths without incident. However I'm also aware of reports of vandalism etc particularly at the Walls carpark. Personally I don't think I'd leave a car there during a mult-day trip if it could be avoided.

I never feel comfortable leaving a vehicle at any remote/isolated trackhead, which these places are. But the same concern applies to just about any location where I walk in the Sydney region. Unfortunately crime happens everywhere, but I think the incidence is lower in Tasmania.

I'll be visiting the Walls for a 7 day walk after Christmas but we're flying down this time and have arranged commercial transport from Launceston to drop off and pick us up. We've managed to combine with a group going to Cradle Mtn so the cost is reasonable on this occasion (although we'll have to travel via Cradle). Maybe it's worth investigating that option.

If you do need/want to take a car, all you can do is take all the necessary precautions and try not to worry about it.

[dplanet]

Agree with John not to worry about it. For the last two years over Christmas and New Year, I left my car at bushwalking car parks for extended walks such as Lake Ada Circuit, Higgs Track, Lake McKenzie Circuit, etc... I faced no concern. Mine is an ordinary 2WD and what left behind and can be seen through are basic camping gear, food, books and maps. I'd suggest to park your car at a location where it can be seen from a distance.

[whiskeylover]

I have never had any trouble, but it seems that the Walls carpark is always full of broken glass and sometimes the arm river track one too. They mainly seem to target cars with interstate plates as these are more likely to have extra gear in them because people are on an extended trip. So make it look like your car is empty or not worth breaking into and you should be right. My brother used to put a sign in the windscreen saying nothing of value is in this vehicle.

[Iluvtheoutdawz]

A link to some useful track notes on the Walls, including
some suggestions re transport:

http://www.wildtiger.biz/index.php?tracknotes&id=60

[corvus]

On my last visits to the Arm River Track I have not come across any broken glass in the car park ,I also open all glove boxes and all that I leave in my vehicle would be old runners and a cheap jumper. I also believe there are much softer targets available for thieves where they dont need to drive for 1.5 hours on the off chance of picking up something of value from a car or two .

[matthias]

Hi Wanderer,

it is not a problem to get to Cradle Mtn NP with public transport, there's a Tassielink route from Hobart to Lake St. Clair, and another one from Launceston to Cradle Mountain. Both are approx. 3 hours. From Hobart to Launceston you can either take Tassielink or Redline (2,5 hours).

[dplanet]

When i walked Higgs Track two years ago, broken glasses could be seen at the main car park.

[corvus]

Car Park at the start of Higgs track is not exactly far from the nearest township

[dplanet]

Agree there, but it is very expensive for a solo walker to get in by taxi.

[tasadam]

I went into the Walls for 3 days last weekend.
The carpark had a considerable amount of broken glass, and a Parks warning sign, making people aware this area has recently been targeted by thieves.
We were really concerned we would have a cold drive home with an involuntary open window. We were the only car when we started.
Fortunately all ended well. Frenchmans carpark as mentioned somewhere was the only place I had trouble, car broken into and small things stolen. That was back in early 1990's.

The Walls was great, Saturday was superb weather, very cold nights with frozen water bottles and billy lid froze on.
It snowed lightly on us, at camp Friday evening and Saturday night / Sunday early morning.

[corvus]

I went into the Walls for 3 days last weekend.
The carpark had a considerable amount of broken glass, and a Parks warning sign, making people aware this area has recently been targeted by thieves.
We were really concerned we would have a cold drive home with an involuntary open window. We were the only car when we started.
Fortunately all ended well. Frenchmans carpark as mentioned somewhere was the only place I had trouble, car broken into and small things stolen. That was back in early 1990's.

The Walls was great, Saturday was superb weather, very cold nights with frozen water bottles and billy lid froze on.
It snowed lightly on us, at camp Friday evening and Saturday night / Sunday early morning.

We walked out to the Lake Bills Track start a couple of weeks ago and the car park was glass free ,one of our members believes that some low lives from Sheffield are causing the Car Park problems at the Walls start so perhaps a concerted start to asking around that small town as to who are the poo... doing it and pointing the finger.
c

[Jellybean]

Hi,

I contacted National Parks recently to ask about vehicle security at the Walls (Mersey Forest Road) car park as we’d heard there were break-ins there and we’re planning a trip there in November. I was advised that the frequency of break-ins was determined by “whether or not a certain individual from Sheffield was enjoying a period of Her Majesty’s care or not”, so it seems the authorities are aware of who is responsible.

Given the lack of public transport in the area and the fact that we plan to be in Cradle Mountain NP immediately beforehand and go onto to Bay of Fires immediately after (and don’t wish to backtrack), we’re planning on hiring a car in Launceston and driving ourselves. I’m going to contact one of the guest houses in Mole Creek (or Deloraine) beforehand to see if we can make an arrangement to leave excess gear there - so nothing is left in the car - and get a shower before driving onto Bay of Fires.

Cheers,

JB

[corvus]

ooh !! a mate of mine had a fantastic idea however now that we know that the perpetrator is known to the law that is pointless so to save vehicle damage perhaps we should leave them empty and unlocked
Then again through FOI could we perhaps get an address visit this person and explain the errors of their ways
And as a reality this person has an obvious lack and perhaps more to be pitied than scolded or given a good KUTA as I suspect they had no choice in their upbringing or gene donations
corvus

[tasadam]

...to save vehicle damage perhaps we should leave them empty and unlocked

I seriously contemplated that. As did others we met on the walk.
But if something did happen I don't know whether insurance would cover it, leaving it intentionally unlocked.
All you can do is hope for the best.

[Michael_Kingston]

There are a lot of options for a 5 day walk in and around the Walls area. One of my favourites would be to park at Lake Ada and walk across to the Walls. Spend a couple of days around the Walls, climbing the Temple, King Davids Peak, Mt Jerusaleum and visiting the nearby lakes. Then return to Ada via a different route. I won't publish route options as much of the walking is off track (but relatively straightforward), but I think John Chapman gives the main options in his book.

[crazyone]

I would definetly leave my car unlocked in the walls carpark. The boot of my old datto was accosted on one trip and the car next to me had its window smashed. I told the police, they seemed to know who it was but never did anything about it. As for walks, go to Junction as part of it. Its probably the greatest piece of territory on the planet (im horribly biased, its my favourite).

[Nothofagus]

Maybe for a fee, I could car sit the vehicles and deter the ferals that break glass.