Easy to access day walks ex Hobart e.g. off Gordon River Rd

[johnw]

Any thoughts appreciated. So I'm flying down to Hobart early tomorrow with Mrs for a week. The weather forecast doesn't look too great but I'm hoping to sneak in a few day hikes when I can. Will be solo as Mrs doesn't bushwalk unless it's really, really short and really, really easy. We are staying in Sandy Bay so probably look at doing something on Kunyani/Mt Wellington that I haven't done before - possibly Wellington Falls Circuit/Cathedral Rock/Montague Thumbs or similar. Other than that I was thinking further afield, maybe off the Gordon River Road. Previously I've done the Needles, Mt Wedge and the Sentinel Range. I'm looking for similar walks with easy vehicle access and level of difficulty/duration. I'll have a rental car but not keen to leave the bitumen if I can avoid it. The rental agreement permits it but pretty clear that any damage would be at your own risk. I may yet visit Mt Field NP again but the Lake Dobson Road has the same risks and I've done all of the lower walks. I've been to Hartz Mountains several times and done pretty much all of the walks there. I've also done some easy walks around the Styx River. Will be researching the several Hardy and Elson books that I've picked up on previous visits but thought I'd seek the collective wisdom of the forums as well.

Seasons greetings to all

[MrWalker]

You can find day walks in Tasmania here http://www.cowirrie.com/stepscape/
Use Filter : Attributes : Road Surface : Sealed, to find places you can take your hire car.

Many walks have shorter options to somewhere interesting that your wife might like to visit while you head off for the day, to cater for families who like to travel together but have different needs for walks.

[north-north-west]

There's a reasonable track up Sprent, although it's pretty steep. You'd love it, the missus not so much.
There's easy access to the Twelvetrees Range via the gated gravel road just before Teds Beach. The high point is off track but it's very easy open going once you're off the road (you follow a pad from the hairpin near the end) and lovely country with great views over the Gordon & Pedder impoundments and surrounding ranges.
Tim Shea is also off track - same carpark as Needles - but open country and easy navigation.
Most other walks from the Gordon River Rd are forest, like Timbs Track. There's a track out to Bowes, but it's a good bit further than Wedge etc, and rougher. Does go through some stunning forest, however, and the peak itself is wonderful.

Unfortunately, most of the best walks involve a bit of gravel road. Lake Skinner/Snowy South, Nevada, Wylds, Scotts Peak area, Cockle Creek, Pictons, even Fortescue Bay & Cape Raoul (although you can do part of the Tasman Peninsula Coastal Track from Waterfall Bay or the Arch).

[johnw]

Thanks guys, that's brilliant . That site filter is handy MrWalker. Yes we will do some things together as well. Mrs is usually happy to do things like the Dove Lake circuit at Cradle Mtn or the easy shorter walks at Mt Field and Hartz. I've printed your suggestions for reference NNW and will ponder them with the map on the flight in the morning. I remember looking at Tim Shea from the Needles and spotted Timbs Track from the road on other visits. Yeah, Tasman Peninsula was another location at the back of my mind. I walked Cape Hauy years ago but that trip we'd taken our 4WD down on the ferry when it operated from Sydney. So road condition wasn't really an issue. Hopefully the weather is kind at some point but I'm bringing all my Tassie gear anyway.

[NickMonk]

Consider the Snowy Range. Snowy South and Nevada Peak are both fantastic day walks of reasonable difficulty with great rewards. You access the area around Lonnavale in the Huon Valley. I'd estimate around 75-80 mins to the track heads from Hobart. You will be on gravel roads towards the end but just take it easy. Be aware that there is about 500m currently added on to the Nevada Walk due to a washout that far back from the car park (unlikely to ever be fixed).

[NickMonk]

Oh, and if you do the Nevada Peak walk be aware that the normal access road has a bridge out on it, probably for quite some time. You can come in from the Lake Skinner access end still, but most 'how to get there' guides will give you the directions for the now closed access. See here viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24667

[johnw]

Thanks for that advice Nick. I did Twelvetrees Range yesterday NNW. Brilliant! I could see just about every peak in the south west. Great day weather wise and no problems with nav on the range as it's so open and easy going. Reminds me a little of walking around Kosci and Rams Heads etc. I'd forgotten how long the drive is down that road though. I was ready for bed when I got back to Hobart. Weather is crap the next few days so will have to pick my opportunities from now on. Having an easy day with mrs today.

[north-north-west]

Glad you enjoyed it, John. It's a surprising place, all those lovely little quartzite outcroppings and the stunning views. One day I'll go right along the ridge from the southern end at the GRR to the lake edge at Harpers Point and back.
You get a really good look at the layout of it from the Sprent track.