Walkweb

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+

Another great walk in Mt Field National Park, which is an hour or so west of Hobart. This is a fairly demanding one with some strenuous climbs and rock scrambling and is recommended for more experienced walkers. An out-and-back walk, the target is Mt Field West – the highest point in the park – and it took me a little under seven hours.

The walk commences at the Lake Dobson car park and initially follows a boardwalk and path by the side of Lake Dobson before branching off and climbing to a vehicular track that also climbs steeply to some ski huts. From here the walk proper begins along a well defined path and boardwalks, with great views of the Tarn Shelf and Lake Seal to the north.

Eventually the track reaches a junction. Take the uphill path signposted to Mt Field West. This track soon leads to a large field of boulders and the next part requires traversing this by following the occasional track marker and red painted marks on the rocks themselves. The way climbs upwards towards the ridge line (the Rodway Range) and once reached becomes a visible path again before descending another rock field down to K. Col.

From K.Col it’s a short walk to Peterson Memorial Hut, which makes for a nice rest spot. From here the path continues to climb, passing Clemes Tarn and looking towards the impressive Naturalist Peak which is passed to the left. From here the path traverses a somewhat boggy plateau (which looks like it would be fairly hard going in wet weather) before a final rock scramble to the summit of Mt Field West from where there are excellent views.

From here it’s the same way back – take care when climbing up from K. Col to the Rodway Range to carefully follow the marked trail so you end up in the right place to pick up the track down the other side.

Notes: There is no marked trail to Naturalist Peak but it’s worth a short side trip, I found leaving the main trail to the south-west of the summit provided reasonably easy access. The summit itself is clearly marked with a trig point.

I wouldn’t recommend this walk in mist or bad weather, you won’t get any views and route finding, particularly over the boulder fields, would be difficult.

Walk Date: 7^th March 2010
Time/Distance: Around 7 hours / 17km
Grade: Hard day walk
Map: TASMAP Mount Field National Park (1:50,000)
My rating: A

Walk notes by DWP

This is a continuation of the earlier walk from Eltham Lower Park to Heidelberg Gardens following the main Yarra Trail. Again, easy walking or riding along mainly bitumen & gravel surfaced tracks with numerous attractive rest or picnic spots. Of added interest is that this route shares part of the “Heidelberg School Artists Trail” with a number of prominent signboards displaying paintings by various artists.

On leaving Heidelberg Gardens head along the signposted path to Heidelberg Park then cross Beverley Road walk past the Banyule Shared Path sign and follow the easily identifiable Main Yarra Trail.

After a few minutes the path emerges on the footpath at the very busy Banksia St. Turn left past the ‘Greenery’ plant nursery and garden supplies and follow the path as it drops sharply under the road bridge to join the Yarra River. The path then passes through some trees and emerges into open parkland situated between the ‘The Boulevard’ and the river. It is in this section where a number of the paintings referred to above will be noticed some of which are located just off the main path.

Eventually the Trail swings around to follow the river and pass under the Burke Road Bridge. A short while after, cross the pedestrian/cycle bridge to the signpost at the junction of the Main Yarra and Koonung Trails. Turn right at this sign in the direction indicated for the Chandler Highway and the City.

Follow the Trail as it loops around through the trees and after a short walk the Trail is unavoidably forced to follow an unpleasant section squeezed artificially between the Eastern Freeway and the grounds of the Kew Golf Club. Unfortunately no alternative path is available. Eventually however after reaching and passing over Belford Road the path, after Willow Grove, drops down into more open parkland, shielded somewhat by noise barriers, from the incessant roar of the traffic on the freeway.

If walking it is possible to leave the main trail and head along the worn path through the very attractive grassed area alongside the riverbank until it joins up once again with the main bitumen trail below the Chandler Highway Bridge not far from Guide Dogs Victoria.

Follow the path under the Bridge to a junction. Here a choice can be made to either follow the Main Yarra Trail up the steps and then right along Yarra Boulevard or alternatively, if walking, taking the path to the right through the trees along the river bank towards Fairfield Park.

It is well worthwhile however to climb up the steps and follow the Trail along the Yarra Boulevard as it gives the opportunity to visit the ‘Wurundjeri Spur Lookout’ to have a brief rest and enjoy the impressive views of Melbourne city skyline. After taking in the view of the city turn right and make your way down the path that leads to the pipe bridge over the Yarra river at Fairfield. The Fairfield Park boathouse can be seen across the river and it’s pleasant setting offers an ideal spot for a relaxing drink or a meal.

After crossing the pipe bridge walk up the path past the Kayak club to join the Capital City Trail in Fairfield Park the finishing point for the walk.

Fairfield rail station is just a 15 minutes walk through the park, right along Heidelberg Road and then left at Station Street.

Overall a pleasant generally undemanding walk mainly following the banks of the Yarra River with numerous rest spots and access points for shortening the walk or ride if required. The one negative aspect of the walk being that of the background noise from the Eastern Freeway.

Start – Heidelberg Gardens
Finish – Fairfield Park
Off Street parking either end & local stations
Distance Approx 10.5 Kms