Walkweb

I’ve been a bit slack updating this blog, but more walks will be added soon.

I recently was able to make a short visit to the Northern Territory; my first visit in 30 years since we lived there in Warrego (45km west of Tennant Creek) for six months back in 1980.

Just off the Stuart Highway about 95km south of Tennant Creek are the ‘Devils Marbles’ (Karlu Karlu in the local aboriginal languages). These are well worth a visit – there is a self guided walk as well as plenty of walking trails allowing you to explore.

More information: National Parks information sheet (pdf)

This is another great day walk that is easily accessed from the lovely city of Hobart. It provides for excellent alpine walking with extensive views and secluded and attractive lakes and tarns.

The walk commences from a car park at the end of the gravel road that leaves the C632 road (see access below). There is a large visitors shelter and the path to Hartz peak is clearly signposted. Follow the path, which is boardwalks for a good deal of the way, as it climbs slightly and passes a signposted track to Lake Esperance (worth a side-trip). The path reaches Ladies Tarn another 1km or so further on at which point the track becomes less well used but still easy to follow, turning westwards for a short but very steep climb up to Hartz Pass.

From here the path turns south climbing steadily, marked by regular signposts with orange arrows and a series of small cairns. A bit of rock scrambling is required to attain the summit. The summit has a trig point and there is a small wind shelter nearby. The walk returns by the same route.

The day I was there in May the weather was pretty terrible on the way up to the summit – no views but plenty of wind and rain, which pretty much describes the weather when I did the walk in May 2008. Nonetheless, it was still enjoyable – or perhaps invigorating is the best word. Highly recommended, but please be ready and equipped for poor weather. There were a few Japanese tourists walking ahead of me in jeans and casual jackets – thankfully they only went as far as Lake Esperance as they were completely un-equipped for the conditions.

Walk date: 9th May, 2010
Time: Around 4 hours
Grade: Moderate day walk
My rating: A

Access: Follow the A6 from Hobart to Geeveston. From here take the road signposted ‘Hartz Mountains National Park’ and keep an eye out for further signposts. Eventually a gravel road is reached (just after Arve River Picnic Area) which leads to the car-park and start of the walk.

Mt Wellington provides an impressive backdrop to the city of Hobart, and also provides for some excellent walking in an alpine environment and tremendous views. Although you can drive right to the top, walking up at least part of the way is more enjoyable and provides a better introduction to the mountain. This circular walk commences from ‘The Springs’, located on the main road to the summit. It takes in the summit as well as a walk across the plateau. Because this is an alpine area, you should be well equipped for poor weather.

The walk commences from either the main car park at The Springs, or from the minor road that leaves the main road to the left and climbs briefly. The first part of the walk is the Pinnacle Track which is well signposted and easy to follow. After a series of steps the path becomes a well trodden bush track that climbs steadily to the north with occasional views to the east. After about 1.5kms a junction is reached; turn left up the accurately named Zig-Zag track which soon starts to climb steeply and provides superb views if the weather allows.

The track eventually reaches the plateau and a track junction, ignore the track to the left for the moment (this is the path for the return journey) and instead stay on the well formed track as it passes  to the left of the transmission tower on its way to the summit which is in the middle of a road loop so take care to watch out for traffic. After visiting the summit you could also drop down to the visitor centre or take in a viewpoint just to the west of the summit. In fine weather, the views are superb and extensive.

The return journey follows the path back to the above mentioned track junction and then follows a much rougher track, marked at regular intervals with poles fitted with orange markers. This track, the South Wellington Track, traverses the summit plateau before dropping briefly but steeply into bushland and ultimately reaching a signposted track junction with the Ice House Track. Take the Icehouse Track which is generally easy to follow as it descends through forest and eventually reaches the Miles Track. Turn left here back to the carpark.

Overall, a terrific walk featuring great views and a varied and interesting alpine and sub-alpine landscape, and all less then 30 minutes out of Hobart, a beautiful city in itself.

Walk date: 11th May, 2010
Time/Distance: Around 3.5 hrs
Grade: Moderate day walk
Map: TASMAP Wellington Park Recreation Map (1:20,000)
My rating: A+

Walk notes by DWP

The start of this suggested walk is Leadmill Bridge, which is a short walk south from Hathersage, past the Station, along the B6001. If traveling by car there is a small lay-by adjacent to the Plough Inn just beyond the bridge.

Starting from Leadmill Bridge walk south on the B6001 passing the Plough Inn on the left and then take the first turning on the right heading up the hill past Hazelford Hall. Just beyond the Hall at a sharp bend in the lane follow the farm lane above Tor Farm. Keep to the path as it passes through farmland and a number of gates before dropping down into Brook Wood. Cross the stream then take the rising path along the lower slopes of Bole Hill eventually descending towards Stoke Ford. Cross over the Cloughs via the footbridge, walk past the sign and take the footpath up along side Abney Clough and follow this path passing eventually through a stile and then a gate before emerging on a lane that leads into Abney. Follow the short lane and turn left along the village main street and just before the telephone box turn right up Duper Lane and follow this until it reaches open moorland. (Road and Duper Lane can be viewed on Google Maps, Streetview)

Facing the wooden signpost at the Lane junction take the gravel track to the right and continue on as it curves round and enters Shatton Lane. Continue down Shatton Lane past the communications mast (Google Maps, Streetview starts here for Shatton Lane) enjoying the magnificent views to the north towards Kinder Scout, Win Hill Pike, Derwent Edge and a glimpse of Ladybower reservoir. Just after passing the sign on the right indicating ‘Restricted Byway Ahead’ the track changes to a metalled surface and a gate and stile is reached at a bend in the lane as it begins to descend towards Shatton. Pass through the gateway and follow the signed footpath over Offerton Moor emerging eventually at the road near Offerton Hall. (Google Maps, Streetview) Meander left down the hill past Offerton House and Offerton Hall until a gate on the right is reached marked with a Public Footpath post. Pass through the gate and follow the path as it drops down through a number of enclosed pastures until it meets the river Derwent close to the stepping-stones. Turn right and follow the path downstream through open pastureland negotiating numerous stiles along the way until reaching the starting point of the walk at Leadmill Bridge and the added attraction of a well-earned break at the nearby Plough Inn.

Start & Finish: Leadmill Bridge Grid Reference SK2380
Distance approx 11.5kms easy walking with diverse scenery and easy access by private or public transport.

“The walk out to Cape Raoul is one of the highlights of the Tasman Peninsula”

Day Walks Tasmania

This is a great day walk based in the Tasman National Park about an hour and a quarter out of Hobart. The objective is Cape Raoul at the southern tip of the peninsula and there are great views along most of the path, featuring some impressive coastline and rock formations. The cape itself feels quite isolated – apart from the birds and the sounds of waves it’s very quiet and secluded.

For this walk, I used the track notes from “Day Walks Tasmania” by John and Monica Chapman which were useful and accurate. The path itself is well formed and reasonably easy to follow for the whole distance, in some places though it skirts very close to the cliff edge and there are no safety barriers so take care. It starts in farmland but soon gives way to bushland and then exposed coastal heath. Near the very end of the track at Cape Raoul the track splits – it’s worth following both branches to take in all the vantage points – the track to the right provides a bit more room to stop for a break or lunch (the one to the left ends rather abruptly at a cliff edge). From the cape it’s back the same way.

Overall, another recommended Tassie walk.

Walk date: 6th March 2010
Time/Distance: Around 4.5 hrs / 13.6km
Grade: Moderate day walk
Map: TASMAP Raoul (1:25,000)
My rating: B+