Bookings for Three Capes Track now open

[Lophophaps]

Deck chairs, yoga mats and wifi? To modify Star Trek, it's wilderness, but not as we know it. Whilst it's good to have more people appreciate our wild places, the cost is far too high, dollars and environmental. I greatly fear the the steps and many Three Capes "improvements" will be used as a template for other places, starting with Diamantina Spur in Victoria.

[Chris]

Have they really turned the lovely little climb up onto the Blade into a fancy stone staircase? I just so far I saw my brain . . .

Indeed. I found a particularly "beautiful" illustration of it
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Three+Capes+Track+Tasmania&view=detailv2&qpvt=Three+Capes+Track+Tasmania&id=5AE8859DB7C7495248CE6116D1D0E8F1ADE208D6&selectedIndex=5&ccid=SXy0KEk%2f&simid=607997856222743766&thid=OIP.M497cb428493fe81f6162cae97c4761ddo0
It's copyright, so maybe I shouldn't copy and paste.
Ii immediately reminded me of the worst of mass tourism in magnificent places.
Not to mention the yoga mats and deck chairs

[north-north-west]

What, no handrails or escalators? No armchairs on the top? Really making the paying punters suffer, aren't they?

[Lophophaps]

What, no handrails or escalators? No armchairs on the top? Really making the paying punters suffer, aren't they?

LOL! Maybe the next step will be cameras, virtual reality and holographs. I could not help but notice the climbs. For those that dare walk, perhaps the summits could be used to fill in the dips, like a freeway. Or tunnels.

The link above showed how beautiful it is, and like it or not the new Three Capes is here and will not go away. The focus should now be on showing that the economics do not add up and that wild areas deserve better protection. I see no justification in making these sort of areas so that everyone can get there. I can't fly a plane and my brain surgery skills are limited. Does that mean that planes and brain surgery should be made so that I can do them? No way.

[north-north-west]

I can't fly a plane and my brain surgery skills are limited. Does that mean that planes and brain surgery should be made so that I can do them? No way.

I hereby demand that speech and music be banned until there has been sufficient advance in medical science to make me able to hear again.

[blossom+]

Well I'm pretty happy that the track was built and am really looking forward to our trip. I get the issues, and don't disagree with various points raised but at the end of the day it looks like a really great experience that lots of people will be able to enjoy. Like me

My question is about side trips that might be fun to do along the way. Are there any good suggestions and info on how to find a the route from those who know this area better than a mainlander?

[scrub boy]

Not many side trips from the 3CT itself, except, funnily enough, Cape Pillar, which can be reached on the old track from near the The Blade. Although not far as the crow flies expect a slow and scrubby experience but worth it. Suggest you obtain a copy of the book 'Tasman Tracks' for good ideas (but double check against more updated info as it may be a bit old now) for lots of options in the general area. The walk from Fortescue Bay to Pirates is a great option for an extra day/night (camp at bivouac bay) of a more traditional flavour but you will need all the extra gear not required on the 3CT. I'm sure you will enjoy your experience, as the track and scenery etc is amazing, the debate is fair enough as not everyone agrees with the principle or concept, however the naysaying has become a bit of bore and a bit silly at times too. Good luck.

[Azza]

There is also the 3rd cape.. Cape Raoul.
Because its not actually three capes, they only managed to implement two of the three.
But maybe difficult to do without your own transportation.

[stepbystep]

Not much in the way of sidetrips on the track.

First day from Denmans Cove to Surveyors the track gets close to some rock shelves and also a pebbly beach. Worth exploring for a bit, also if it's warm enjoy Denmans, no rush on that day...

Best sidetrip is beyond The Blade, after visiting the 'Seal Spa' lookout find the climbers track behind it and explore, give yourself a cpl hours, it's really fun, quite exposed but feels like a real bushwalking track, excellent and unique views all around up there.

Forests on the northern side of Mt Fortescue are well worth an explore also, just beautiful.

[blossom+]

Thanks for those suggestions. It's always good to know the spots that are worth a further exploration.

I've got a copy of the topo maps as I never think it's a real bushwalk unless I have the relevant maps - even when the track is impossible to lose. I just like maps

[Nuts]

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasma ... 2382ac0741

I understood the operator was already in place?
Then sometimes the rumor mill is muddied within the reality of local media reportage.
Crikey!, it may not even be fact that it's the director's mate chosen for this cherry.

[north-north-west]

I've got a copy of the topo maps as I never think it's a real bushwalk unless I have the relevant maps - even when the track is impossible to lose. I just like maps

My sort of person.

[johnk1]

+1 NNW.

[Lophophaps]

I've got a copy of the topo maps as I never think it's a real bushwalk unless I have the relevant maps - even when the track is impossible to lose. I just like maps

Paper maps one hopes. Without a map I feel uncomfortable. Even if I don't look at the map on an obvious track or trackless ridge, knowing the map is there is reassuring. I've gone off the map a few times, interesting. Twice were rescues, had to guess, made it okay on both.

[stepbystep]

I've gone off the map a few times, interesting. Twice were rescues, had to guess, made it okay on both.

Following unknown landscape with just instinct and no map is interesting and enjoyable. Best not encouraged though I guess..!!

3 Capes is something else...

[Lophophaps]

Following unknown landscape with just instinct and no map is interesting and enjoyable. Best not encouraged though I guess..!!

The first few times there was no map - out of print. Not too hard, follow a ridge, a track, aim to hit something like a river. Once resecue was on skis, south over the Kosciuszko 1:100 sheet, miles away from our skiing area. The other time I spent a while dredging memory and thinking about tracks that should lead to help. My estimate was 14 kilometres, turned out to be 22, and I was wrecked at the end. The tracks were linked as I thought they would be. Three Capes is far too well-known and mapped for these sort of tricks. Big cliffs dissuade going direct from A to B, unless B is at the base of a cliff, at 9.8 metres/second squared. The top speed is called terminal velocity - it kills you.

[Nuts]

Wouldn't 'no maps' make for a real-er bushwalk? lol

[north-north-west]

Wouldn't 'no maps' make for a real-er bushwalk? lol

Don't know about 'real', with or without the er. It's just different.
I almost always carry maps but seldom have a pre-plotted route and have often not refered to them for days at a time. Line of sight with comparisons to the map only when necessary make it more fun than the rigidity of following a set line. Very much weather dependent, of course.

[flyfisher]

I have walked the western lakes area for around 40 years and always take a (some)map.

When my trips (fishing etc) first started the 1-100000 maps were not available and it was quite an adventure, and later the 1-25000 made it a breeze.

These days the maps are always there but seldom used, it does help to look where you are going and try to work it out.

FF

[Nungulba]

I'm wondering if P&W has factored into their plan the likely dramatic fall-off in visitors during Winter months? Maybe, when they realize that their multi-million dollar investment will be left virtually empty, then they might want to consider "off-peak" rates????

[MrWalker]

I'm wondering if P&W has factored into their plan the likely dramatic fall-off in visitors during Winter months? Maybe, when they realize that their multi-million dollar investment will be left virtually empty, then they might want to consider "off-peak" rates????

I think the idea is that this walk will be less affected by snow than the Overland Track so it is supposed to be great all year round.

[Strider]

Exactly. If anything it will get more patronage in winter when the alpine areas become less accessible.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Nungulba]

Yes, well it remains to be seen whether "local" Tasmanian patronage will be enough, since Mainlanders (whom I suspect are the main target of this development) will be heading to the Gold Coast for their winter break!!!

P.S. No disrespect to Tasmanians (I was one myself for thirty years, before the arthritis took its inevitable toll) but they just don't have as deep pockets as the tourists. On the bright side, they are also more perceptive: they know a "rip-off" when they see it!

[Nuts]

I wonder if, politically, anyone really gives a stuff about 3C success. Obviously P&W and the Tourism authority are charged with making a silk purse from sows ear (from a silk purse).

Yes! for *&^%$# sake, an off-peak tarrif!, all those exponents of such incursions, what now? Nungulba's heading for the GC, what now? Some Jacuzzi's?

[Nungulba]

Neat parody, Nuts! However, what is left of your "argument" when it is stripped of petulance & hype??? Tourism & Environmentalism will always be uneasy bedfellows: if we set aside the incongruity of "designer huts" in a National Park, and the philistinism of commercial considerations, perhaps something can be salvaged from the "wreckage". But I don't think that ranting or raving on either side will solve anything.

P.S. nungulba will NOT be heading to the Gold Coast this year - I don't think my pension will stretch that far!

[Nuts]

My acronyms have a mind of their own

I disagree, petulance and hype are grist to the mill in parliaments and party rooms everywhere, and here, seem to me at an appropriate contributory level! perhaps not.. then, the odd rant on here surely shouldn't ruin a patrons day.. inappropriately.

Solve? To 'solve' would require some individual accountability for decisions made, an open and transparent dialogue. Lest half-arse-ed-ess continues to be a an acceptable halmark of tas government, elected and entrenched.

Anyhow, there's a host of similar examples, for some of us seemingly coming on a daily basis & at the accountable end (ie. to those of us who will pay the price or/ those simply concerned for the future of wilderness if these projects become any acceptable norm) the games of such important people are not funny or respectful nor those involved representative (for this voter and taxpayer) at all!

Presently I simply support a lesser winter tariff (rather than giving away publicly owned assets in the form of free passes). I do so from a quirky old notion of parks that never included exclusivity.

[Nungulba]

Regarding exclusivity, haven't wilderness areas in Tasmania always been the preserve of those who are young enough and fit enough to access them? I'm not complaining for myself, as I spent many "scungy" years in the South-West (and elsewhere) enjoying the privilege of wilderness. These days it's a different story! Any solution to the problem of making these areas more accessible will not benefit from attempts (albeit well-meaning) to keep Tassie in "pristine" state (even if that were possible!)

[Nuts]

This and the EOI cover tracks that are on the easier side? It's fair enough that exclusivity has always been there, determined by personal capacity, but the new imagining adds to that with exclusivity of personal wealth. If indeed 'pristine' still exists, the concept surely applies to Tasmanian wilderness? Challenging access is a line in the 'mud'(?), none of these places are being made more accessible for anyone other than removing some minor effort & discipline. This is also the message for them when they do choose to visit harder places, where are the facilities we have come to expect? With a $ value on access no line exists.

[north-north-west]

Regarding exclusivity, haven't wilderness areas in Tasmania always been the preserve of those who are young enough and fit enough to access them? I'm not complaining for myself, as I spent many "scungy" years in the South-West (and elsewhere) enjoying the privilege of wilderness. These days it's a different story! Any solution to the problem of making these areas more accessible will not benefit from attempts (albeit well-meaning) to keep Tassie in "pristine" state (even if that were possible!)

How young is 'young enough'?
How far do we have to go in order to provide 'universal' access?

There are always going to be things that some people can't do, and places that some people won't be able to get to. Maybe it's time everyone just grew up and learned to accept their own limitations?

[Lophophaps]

How young is 'young enough'?
How far do we have to go in order to provide 'universal' access?

There are always going to be things that some people can't do, and places that some people won't be able to get to. Maybe it's time everyone just grew up and learned to accept their own limitations?

Well said. Whilst some provision for people with limitations due to fitness, stamina, age-related conditions, disability and the like, there is no way that everyone can visit our wild places. I don't care that my brain surgery days are over (never started actually) and that I will never win a Nobel Prize unless it's for sloth. My expertise lies elsewhere, in the bush, on rock or on snow. As I get older my horizons have decreased, and that's fine as I've walked a lot of tracks and climbed a lot of mountains.

So beyond making a small number of places friendlier for those who lack the ability to, say, climb Cradle, we should leave the bush more or less as it is. Have infrastructure to minimise damage due to feet, fires and people, but that's about all. It's hard to quantify what should and should not be done. Assess each case on merits.

Above all, totally reject the suggestion this or that track or whatever is a small change, and there are plenty of other places. Small has a habit of growing, and can have impact way beyond their boundaries. A cyclone fence across a freeway at 10 kilometre intervals occupies about 0.001% of the freeway, tiny impact, that's for sure.