Was Du Cane Traverse before park closed, now is?

[dashandsaph]

Hi,
I was going to Tasmania to do the Du Cane Traverse for 8 days starting this Saturday 30 January but the whole park has been closed today, apparently for at least 7 days. It may still re-open but I'm not optimistic. So, it looks like I'm all ready but with nowhere to go. Looking for a 6-8 day walk of similar challenges and scenic beauty in Tasmania that is not currently under risk of fire, that we can switch in at short notice. We are bringing over a car, so this may assist for access.

Regards

[DanShell]

Others will advise you on some equally good walks but I am guessing by the weekend we will go from fire warnings to flood warnings if the forecast is to be believed.

[dashandsaph]

Thanks for the warning Dan, I'll add waterwings to my gear.

[north-north-west]

As far as I can find out, access to Lake St Clair is still open, so the DuCane traverse should be possible. It's only Cradle Mtn access that has been shut off.
There are no major fires in the Southern Reserve, as far as I know. The Little Sugarloaf fire may make it a bit smoky, but otherwise you should be OK.

If in doubt, call the Lake St Clair visitors centre.

[dashandsaph]

Hi NNW,

The rangers office in LSC visitors centre said the park was closed until further notice but you can still go to Cynthia Bay, just not beyond. It's the February Plains fire that they are concerned about.

[north-north-west]

February Plains is a long way north of the DuCanes. I suppose they're just not taking chances.

For alternatives, one of the few areas that isn't burning is the south & south west, so think about the Southern Ranges. You could have a shot at the loop there, returning via the South Coast Track. Or the Western Arthurs, if the road beyond Maydena is passable (given the only serious fire down thataways is the Cullen/Sentinels beast, Scotts Peak Rd should be OK.)

[Scottyk]

February Plains is a long way north of the DuCanes. I suppose they're just not taking chances.

Yeah I suppose so but with the rain forecast I would still hold out hope of it being opened. As NNW said it is a long way from the Du Cane range.

[doogs]

They were evacuating the whole OLT yesterday. By the way the rainfall is going it's still not looking great; 100mm in 24hrs in the East and hardly a tinkle in the West. I'm hoping for a statewide delude over the next few days, but fear a few showers in the areas it's needed will only dampen the fires down rather than extinguish them Southern Ranges is a great trip or Eastern Arthurs but either of those you'd need to be moving consistently quickly to complete in time. The last I'd heard was that the Lake Gordon Road was closed at Maydena so that cuts off a huge list of options. May do two 3-4 day walks? Frenchmans Cap or exploring Mt Field for a few days or a explore of the Snowy Ranges.

[aNomaly]

Am at the Visitors Centre at Cradle Mountain now.
Northern part of track is shut.
Southern access is fine.