Starting at the Coal Mines Carpark on Coal Mine Road, Saltwater River, this walk takes you on a circuit around the Coal Mines Historic Site. Take a short walk around this picturesque site on the Tasman Peninsula, which once housed up to 600 convicts, labouring in the inky blackness of underground tunnels. The peaceful site, overlooking the shallow waters of Ironstone Bay, is now largely in ruins. Stay on track as you explore them and read the informative panels to learn more about the areas history and the stories of the people who lived and worked there. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Nubeena Road, B37 then drive for 9.2 km
Turn right onto Saltwater River Road, C341 and drive for another 11.7 km
Turn sharp right and drive for another 35 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Coal Mines Car Park at the start.
There is a toilet (about 50 m back from the start).
After another 55 m veer left, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 230 m turn left.
After another 70 m turn left, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Military Precinct and Signal Station Track & Coal Mines Historic Site Track) turn right, to head along Military Precinct and Signal Station Track.
After another 180 m turn left.
After another 580 m continue straight, to head along Incline Plane Walk.
After another 90 m turn around, to head along Incline Plane Walk.
After another 370 m continue straight, to head along Incline Plane Walk.
After another 270 m turn right.
After another 420 m continue straight.
After another 145 m turn left, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Coal Mines Historic Site Track.
After another 230 m veer right.
After another 15 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Coal Mines Historic Site
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
2.8 km
Time
45 min to 1 h 15 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)