I’m planning a series of walks in the Arthur River area, mainly along the coast. One day may involve a walk that is rarely done. All walks will be relatively easy, some rock hopping and some not actually on a track however I’m grading this as a “3” as my best judgement.

Car camping will be involved with facilities nearby. This will be leaving the Ulverstone area on a Friday, taking in a walk or two on the way to Arthur River, and if time a short walk that afternoon before making camp. Saturday will involve a major walk with a car shuttle, possibly a counter meal at Marrawah and Sunday a series of sequential shorter walks depending on the group and time required to drive back to the NW coast.

As far as I can ascertain it has been many moons since this one has been on the program. We’ll access this hill from the Lake Mackenzie road. This walk will be all off track. However, given the popularity of Abel bagging we may stumble on a pad……….or not. No guarantees. There may be a bit of tape here and there; I seem to recall some the last time I went this way. At any rate it’s about a 15km round trip and I expect to take about 7 hours give or take.  

With spring vegetation growth starting to bloom there will be some pruning required and the odd tree to remove too I suspect. Come along for a day out and help keep the Club’s track open for the summer season.

tba

With summer on its way, I thought a beach walk would be a great idea.  We will meet at the Narawntapu Visitors Centre Car Park at 10:00 and walk to Copper Cove for lunch.  We will either walk the beach and across the rocks to Copper Cove and back inland or vice versa depending on tides.  Please ensure you have good boots (for safety on the coastal rocks).  If you do not like walking on, over and around rocky shorelines, then we may be able to split the group so some can take the inland route and some can take the coastal route.  This will all be decided on the day.  Snakes could be coming active so gaiters and/or long pants please.  Bring lunch and snacks and your normal "daypack" gear.  Even though this is an easy coastal walk, we still need to be prepared.  Also, there is no water on the track or at Copper Cove so bring plenty of that too.

A booking has been made for the Paton Park Scout Camp just out of Ulverstone. This will be a fun training weekend (more details in the Walker) with a combined social event Saturday evening. Experienced coordinators, perspective members and all in between are invited to attend and participate in the sharing of bush walking knowledge. Coordinators, please leave this weekend free of walks.

Mt Lorymer is the most southerly mountain in the Dial Range, and I haven’t lead a walk to this part of the Dial before so it's time.

Mt Lorymer’s summit is interesting in so much as I don’t really know where it is.  It isn’t like Mt Duncan or the others with a distinct summit, but it is still a worthy mountain and not to be taken lightly.

The plan is to drive to Faber’s Road Riana. There is a parking area of sorts which will allow for a few cars so it might be a good idea to carpool. 

We basically follow the fire trail up then take a side fire trail to access the PCT around Adit Creek.  From here we enjoy a climb through quite a lovely rain forest.  We eventually end back on the original fire trail just further along.   We then follow this fire trail back to the cars.

Please call me if you aren’t certain about attending this walk – there is a reasonable amount of up followed by the corresponding down, which may not be what you are looking for.

Plan is to head in on the Arm River Track. Past New Pelion hut for a bit then hang a left and head up to the saddle below Paddys Nut where we'll camp for a couple of nights. Day walk then up to Paddys Nut and Thetis. Back out on the 3rd day. The walks in and out (Day 1 & 3) will be in the order of 20km, give or take. We won’t be ginning around much on those days.

Breona and Pine Lake Tiers are two adjacent highpoints to the north of Great Lake and are both featured in the new book The Poimenas, Part B. I thought that doing them together as a through walk would make for an interesting journey. Travelling along the Highland Lakes Road we’ll leave a vehicle at the Pine Lake carpark and then proceed for a further 4km to just north of the lookout where we’ll leave the other cars at the start of an old road. The walk commences along this road for about 200m and then we’re off-track for most of the day, following animal pads and open leads as much as possible. Initially, we’ll be heading NW, close to the Mickeys Creek valley but will then travel more westerly to reach the summit of Breona Tier at 1257m after about 1.5h and an ascent of 120m. After a break here we’ll traverse the largely flattish country in a NE direction for about 3km to arrive at an unnamed highpoint of 1316m that The Poimenas refers to as “Pine Lake Tier”. Descending from here over areas of rock scree we’ll reach the southern end of Pine Lake before following the tourist path to the carpark.

I haven’t done this trip before so it’ll be an exploratory adventure and will provide a great opportunity for people to practice their navigation skills. Although it’s only about 6km in distance (by map!) we’ll almost certainly encounter some areas of scrub and scree, so be warned. Should be a great day out for those that enjoy more challenging walking.

Social Meeting and Christmas break-up with Reviews and the possibility of a movie too. Meeting will commence at 6.00pm, bring a plate of finger food to share and we will celebrate our Christmas break-up.

Rural Rides has become an annual event, this being the fifth consecutive year I’ve run the trip and hopefully it will be as successful as the others. Some of the highlights are -- three rides on quiet sealed back roads through our spectacular rural countryside (52km, 75km & 45km), lunch at the Raspberry Farm, two relaxing nights at Quamby Corner, one evening meal at a pub and a guaranteed fun time. Accommodation options range from tenting to cabin hire and if you intend going you need to book your own. You are welcome to join us for any combination of days that suits you. Just about any bike will do; touring bike, road bike, mountain bike, ebike or gravel bike.

Meet at the main carpark just as you go over the Bridge in Fernglade Road Burnie.  It was the first walk I led for the Club 20 years ago on 3/12/05.  My walk was supposed to be St Valentines Peak but weather was not kind so we did this one instead.  A lovely easy start along the Emu River to the old Pumping Station before climbing up and going through the gate near top carpark.  From there we get great views down on the river with a few steep pinches up and down to the Lookout.  We will have morning tea here before continuing to the Stowport paddocks sign and the turn around point.  From here we retrace to the Emu River's edge for a well earned lunch.  A dip is also possible here for the brave.  Come and join me for another memorable occasion and we will find a nice coffee shop in Wivenhoe when we finish.

Mt Pearse (attempt two) is situated just south of Waratah, a few km off the highway when travelling south.

It’s a few years since I have climbed it but it should be a fairly straight forward walk via the northern ridge. Expect scrub and some inclement weather at this time of the year.

We will have another go at Mt Pillinger and hope the weather is better than it was in September. An excellent reward-for-effort day walk in the right conditions. The track winds through a variety of vegetation, ranging from myrtle forest to eucalypt with bauera undergrowth, open marsh and alpine bushes. Underfoot is everything from mud to some small boulder fields. The walk is about 12 km return with a gradual ascent of just under 400 m. If the weather is kind, the views are exceptional in every direction.

A pleasant day walk up Mt Claude, near Sheffield.  Initially it is a walk up a very steep road to some Telstra Towers, then we pick up a walking track that will take us to Mt Claude.  This is not a difficult walk and prospectives are welcome if they have some bushwalking fitness.  We will meet at Sheffield at the usual parking lot (toilets are provided).  Please bring lunch and snacks and wet weather gear just in case.  It can be quite cool up on top so please be prepared with some extra layers to put on.

Mt Montgomery – Mt Dial return

Mt Montgomery is the most northerly mountain in the Dial Range.  We will walk the PCT along Myrtle Creek then ascend to the summit of Mt Montgomery via the usual track.  We will descend Mt Montgomery along the fire trail to link up with the PCT.  At the Keddies Creek sign, we leave the PCT and follow the track to Mt Dial.  We return the same way off Mt Dial to join up with the PCT track which we follow back to the cars.  It is a delightful walk, through varying landscape and well worth the effort, well that is what I think.  I do love the Mighty Dial.  The usual applies – rain jacket, sturdy footwear, water, lunch and snacks.

Mount Beecroft is a great walk for good views in good weather. It can be very wet under foot with recent rain. We meet at Ridgley at 8am and drive to the top of Belvoir Road to the Belvoir lookout carpark. From there we walk 4.4 km SW on the PCT track, where we pick up the Mount Beecroft track on our right. From here we ascend 215m over 0.7 km to the summit at 1140m. At the base of the summit is a great place for lunch amongst the rock formations. Returning to the cars by 2:30pm after a leisurely lunch with lots of photo opportunities.

Day walk Mt Anne circuit. Mt Anne summit will not be climbed. Plan to camp near track start the night before & start walking at dawn. Could be a long day… bring a good torch. The walk is also on the HWC program.

Leaving 9am sharp from Ulverstone Wharf we will drive to Gunns Plains Caves at 46 Caves Rd Gunns Plains for a 10am sharp start! You'll get to experience some of the most magnificent caves in North West Tas! Cost is $18. Depending on numbers we may have to have 2 sessions, the other group will have morning tea in the Reserve whilst waiting for their Cave Visit!  So bring morn tea and lunch! Next we will drive to Leven Canyon for a walk!  We can choose a short or longer walk depending on weather etc.  To finish our adventure we will visit Kaydale Gardens for afternoon tea, their muffins, scones and tea/coff for $12 are always delicious and a great way to finish off our days outing! Entry to their beautiful gardens is $10 extra.  Ting and Chris invite you to come along for a fun North West adventure and help support our amazing local spots!  limit 20.  Please wear sturdy footwear for climbing steep steps inside the CAVE!

This was a new walk that I did with LWC a few months ago, which I’d like to share with NWWC. It's on the northern flank of Projection Bluff and is accessed via the Highland Lakes Road. Thanks to LWC Coordinator Stephen Griffin for the route and the following preview description which is difficult to improve upon.

“This walk does not disappoint. We follow an old forestry road for 4 km. Logging here was 30 years ago and the road is now just a perfect walking track. Turning left and leaving the road we now climb steeply to reach a spectacular sandstone cliff-line (GH: possibly with waterfalls if there has been some recent rain). Traversing westerly, we will explore as we go to the caves and mossy terraces, before an obvious climbing gully leads up to the cliff tops. We can admire views of Quamby Bluff and the Meander forest while we enjoy lunch. The return walk is off-track through open rainforest until we reunite with the morning's outward route along the road. Total distance 9 km.”

We’ll meet at the Gnomon Carpark at 12 noon. From there, we’ll follow the road past the Mt Duncan Track sign and continue until we reach a track on the left. This track loops around and eventually brings us back to the road near the Mt Duncan Track sign. From that point, it’s about another 30 minutes’ walk back to the cars.

In total, the walk takes around 2.5 hours, not including breaks. As with most walks in the Mighty Dial Range, expect a mix of ups and downs — so come prepared.

Please bring the usual essentials: sturdy walking boots, rain jacket, hat, warm clothing, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.

Meet at Burnie Yacht Club 8am and drive to the Forest General Store, 526 Mengha Rd Forest for our coffee fix first!  From there we head to the Black River Reserve for a look before driving through Irishtown and onto Trowutta Arch!  After we leave the Arch we head over the Tayatea Bridge on the Arthur River towards Rapid River and the Dempster Plains Lookout!  I havn't been into this area since 2009 but I know there was some damage in the Wes Beckett Falls area, but we will try to walk the road into the Falls.  We will be on the Mt Bertha Rd. The falls are on the Dodds Creek and named after a well-liked forester Wes Beckett from Smithton. On the way home we will pop into the Milkshakes if time permits for afternoon tea.  We will continue with the circuit on the next program.  As you can see more driving than actual walking but a visit to some amazing places!

With summer and longer days it is time to explore more parts of the PCT. We were fortunate to have obtained a Wildcare grant to employ specialized contractors to work on some sections for us. We may need to also do work on these sections, so come along to visit some of the areas we only get to during summer. Join us for a pleasant day in the bush …. or maybe even a mountain view.

Now that I’ve got your attention, I’d better tell you that you’ll need to ride about a 32km circuit (in total) if you want to enjoy Lunch With A View. The route will be on both bike paths and fairly quiet roads. Due to the popularity of the Atrium Café, I’ll need to book a week in advance so if you wish to join me please register early and, barring unforeseen circumstances, be certain you can attend.

I am planning 12 days kayaking in this magnificent area. Dates must be considered flexible due to weather. The plan is to drive to Southport on Feb 8, load all gear that evening and head out very early the next morning. We could be delayed due to unsuitable weather so I will plan to do a few activities in the area  and that could delay our return. All participants will need to pay a non-refundable $1400 to secure their place plus any accommodation costs. If needing to cancel, it will be your job to find a suitable replacement. This trip is only suitable for very experienced kayakers who are self-sufficient.  14 days food will be carried in case there is a delay in pick up. My Plan B is 6 or so days on the Western section of Lake Pedder.

If needing more details- phone me.

Drive to Lake Mackenzie, start walking the Blue Peaks Track for a couple of km, before turning off and going cross country across mostly alpine grass. We may encounter a little bit of scrub. After summiting we'll head to Harry Lees Lake to camp for the night. The next day we'll head back to the Blue Peaks Track via Middle Lake and detour to Blue Peaks peak, and then back to the car park

This will be a relaxing walk to Copper Cove.  It will include beach walking, rock scrambling and headland walking.  Prospective are most welcome.  Sturdy boots will be required if the tide permits us to scramble around the rocks to Copper Cove.  Please bring lunch, snacks and wet weather gear (just in case).

In late September 2025 conditions weren’t ideal to complete the full circuit but hopefully we’ll be more successful at this time of the year.

Just to reiterate, it is a delightful walk that has the lot: beautiful rainforest, creeks, waterfalls, spectacular sandstone formations, scree and a river. There is a fairly large scree field which takes about 50 minutes to cross so potential walkers must be comfortable on this sort of terrain.

We’ll meet at the Gnomon Carpark at 11:00am. From there, we’ll follow the road up to the Mt Duncan sign before beginning our ascent. After reaching the summit, our return route will take us along the Tall Trees Track, providing a scenic variation on the way back to the cars.

Expect some steady climbs and descents, so please wear sturdy walking boots. Bring rain gear, water, and food, as the walk will take around three hours, depending on the group’s pace and fitness levels.

Recreational paddlers in Tasmania are spoilt for choice when it comes to spectacular locations for day or multiday trips.  One such gem is Lake St Clair.  I think it’s eight years since I last paddled there so it is certainly time for a return visit.

As one paddles in a north westerly direction on the dark waters of Australia’s deepest lake, it is like paddling into an amphitheatre.  Mount Olympus and the Traveller Range are close by to the west and east respectively while to the north is a series of peaks that make up the Ducane Range.

Probable campsites are the usual suspects; Ida Bay and the far north western corner of the lake.  Depending on the group, as in previous trips some or all of Mounts Ida, Olympus and Byron could be summitted.  As with all paddling trips, what we actually do will be entirely dependent on the weather.

Leaving from the Burnie Yacht Club at 8am and driving to the Forest General Store 526 Mengha Rd Forest for our coffee fix first! From there we will head for Irishtown and turn right down into the Roger River area following the Sumac Rd over the famous Kanunnah Bridge. It sits high above the mighty Arthur River and is always a great place to stop and have a wander, there is an undercover reserve for those that didnt have that first coffee fix!  At the other end of the Bridge we turn left and stop shortly after to see the view from the famous Sumac Lookout!  On from here we will drive to see the beautiful Lake Chisholm sinkhole area before retracing back to Julius River Reserve and spending the rest of our time for the day here!  There are undercover areas, beautiful forest tracks etc to explore and a Toilet.  Come and help us explore this wonderful area for the day!

With summer and longer days it is time to explore more parts of the PCT. We were fortunate to have obtained a Wildcare grant to employ specialized contractors to work on some sections for us. We may need to also do work on these sections, so come along to visit some of the areas we only get to during summer. Join us for a pleasant day in the bush …. or maybe even a mountain view.

With the track in good condition, I thought a walk to Black Bluff is called for.  There will be 2 options here, with number one being a walk to the trig point and number two, a walk to Paddy's Tarn only. It will all depend on the day, the weather and the group.  I am prepared to split the group for those who want to venture up to the trig point (this includes me).  Please bring lunch and snacks.  Wet weather gear and warm clothes are a must as the weather can change quite rapidly up on Blackie.  Sturdy boots are also necessary so no sneekers or no walk (with me).

Lake Burbury kayak camp.

I would like to hold a 3-4 night camp on Lake Burbury (with a 7 day window), with 1 or 2 camp sites and explore the Lake by kayak as day trips.

Details will be announced by early January 2026. The trip is weather dependant and we may need to be flexible a day or 2 either side of the stated dates.

A day in the Mighty Dial never disappoints! This walk offers the perfect mix of challenge, stunning views, and plenty of fresh air. We’ll meet at the Mt Gnomon car park at 12pm before heading up the track to Mt Gnomon. The climb is a little steep, but the sweeping views from the top make it well worth the effort. After a break for lunch, we’ll continue along the saddle to Mt Dial. Even though it’s a return trip, there’s always something new to notice along the way. Expect around 3 hours of walking, with a few ups and downs. As always, bring sturdy boots, a hat, rain jacket, food, water, and of course—your best smile!