suggestions for family walks/overnight locations

[Deb]

After browsing this forum quite a bit lately it sounds as though there are a few families out there who enjoy walking with their young children. Just though I would share some of the more memorable locations we have visited over the years with our 3 kids - we are now down to just one teenager who likes to come with us, but had some great family trips when our children were younger. Some of these places we have gone back to more than once - we found that staying overnight or longer made for more of an adventure. We have mostly done car based camping or basic cabin accommodation and done day walks from our base.

These are in no particular order:

Lake Dobson cabins - Mt Field National Park
Very basic and rustic cabins located close to Lake Dobson. Bunks with matresses, wood heater, cold running water.
Great location for walks on the Tarn Shelf, or easier walks around Lake Dobson. We have walked Tarn Shelf in summer and also at Easter in quite deep snow. Good wildlife spotting and lovely alpine setting. Highly reccommended - can park right outside the cabin. Info on National Parks website.

Maria Island - Penetentiary accommodation
Bunks with matresses, wood heater, tank water available. Need to take everything on the ferry - trolleys provided at the jetty to cart your gear. Great climbs up Bishop and Clerk and Mt Maria. We stayed for 5 days last time. Also a great spot for bike riding - we combined walking and riding and covered a fair bit of ground while we were there. Heaps of wildlife.
There is also a campground however we found it good to have somewhere to get out of the rain, and also meant we didn't have to take a tent or sleeping mats- we had enough gear to cart anyway! Info on National Parks website.

Fortescue Bay- campground
Tent sites with parking close by. Fireplaces, basic toilet facilities. The walk to Cape Hauy starts from here - spectacular scenery. Some other easier/shorter walks also in this area. Great beach.

Port Arthur camping ground - next to the Historic Site.
Nice big campsites with good camp kitchen. Good location for lots of walks in this area.

Cockle Creek- campground in Southwest National Park
Basic toilet facilities. The walk to South Cape Bay leaves from here - about 4 hours return, easy walking.
Some other shorter walks also in this area. Very pretty scenery.

Waldheim Cabins - Cradle Mountain
These are in a great location for walking in the area but are getting a bit expensive!

Regards,
Deb

[richard 3926]

Sounds really great - as a mainlander the diversity and great choice of experiences available throughout Tasmania continues to pleasantly delight me!

Just regarding the Waldheim Cabins - we were thinking of staying in them during our next trip to Tasmania in a couple of months. What sort of standard are they? Also, I believe they are situated inside the National Park near Ronny Creek? I am assuming that they are pretty cosy , not like dormotories? Am asking all of this because the P&WS website has little detail about them.

Your list provides me with a great list to my ever increasing 'to-do list' of natural experiences in Tassie for future trips!

[norts]

They have a small fridge, gas heater, electric light, table & chairs, bunk beds matresses(I think you can hire linen). Dont think there is hot water, wasn't last time.
The small 4 berth ones are a single room.
There are toilet blocks.
They are great

Roger

[Deb]

Hi Richard,
From what I can remember the cabin we were in also had gas cooking facilities. They are in a really picturesque setting. I think the toilet block also had showers . They are fairly popular so would suggest booking as early as you can.
Regards,
Deb

[Drifting]

REALLY easy one is Pine Hut, on the trail into Lee's Paddocks. Only 1 km fro mthe road, and in a pretty nice spot.

[norts]

I forgot a full size gas stove
Showers are hot.
Roger