Walking for pleasure for 60 years

The plan is to summit Mt Hopetoun starting from as close as we can get to farmhouse creek (7.4km away).  We will camp somewhere close to the start point the night before.

We will walk the road and up the farmhouse creek track to the South Cracroft Crossing campsite on day 1. Day 2 we will ford the Cracroft river and head up the eastern flanks of Mt hopetoun. The next day the plan is to summit hopetoun and start the return journey. After that we will head out to the cars on the last day. Expect charcoal, wet feet and terrible campsites. Pace will be swift.

Contact me to confirm on 0418 365 430.

Due to windy and wet weather forcasted tomorrow, Lake Paranganna Kayak has been canceled.

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An ascent of Mt Montgomery via the steep face track. Then a gentler downhill to follow the ridgeline over Mt Dial and Mt Gnomen. There will be a short fire trail walk to Keddies Creek and another uphill. Then back to the carpark via Myrtle Creek. Good views are to be had from most of the high points along the skyline and there is always the possibility of some late fungi around the Keddies Creek area.

I have graded this a grade 4 but I believe it may be closer to a 3 although not on track.

Mt Livingstone is accessed off the Pieman Dam road north of Tullah. I. am not  sure how long it will take, maybe 6 hours return if we can miss the scrub  but it should be a fairly easy straight forward walk. Come along and enjoy a walk in the Tarkine Wilderness in search of Livingstone

There are great views to be had from Mt Pillinger on a fine day.  We will take the Spur 17 route, about 3 hours to the summit, and then return the same way.  Please call me to confirm attendance.

A recent working bee cleaned out the track so on this walk we are taking advantage of the labours of fellow walkers. A pleasant walk mostly following the old logging tramway formation as part of our Penguin Cradle Trail. The plan is to meet at the Penguin Post office at 9.30 am prior to a short drive to Keddies Creek. You will need lunch, water, and sun protection. Boots will also be necessary as there is a creek crossing and could be muddy sections otherwise the track is good. An interesting part of the early history with a few artefacts of the early logging history of the area. Morning smoko will be on the bank of the Leven River. PS I have changed this from a grade 3 to a grade 2 walk in keeping with the newly issued revised walk gradings. This is more in keeping with the walk being on good, recently cleared track. Boots are still required as there could be some muddy sections.

This trip will be an optional overnight trip or day trip to those who are free. My plan is to go up into the Lake Augusta area and search and find two hut sites. There should be chimneys at both sites by the information that I have got. Depending if the boon gates are open for fishing season will determine whether the trip is an overnight trip with hiking packs or two day trips and a car camp at Lake Augusta. The first is near Zig Zag Lake and the other is North of Lake Augusta. If we are hiking there are some magic places to camp and we will do a circuit walk and maybe finding more stuff along the way. The walking is all off track and can be scrubby and rough in places. Lots of creek crossings too. If you are interested in either options please contact me.

Greens Beach Base Camp: October Tuesday evening 17 to Friday 20

A midweek base camp base camp at Greens Beach Caravan Park (near the Tamar mouth) in the unpowered section for caravans, campervans, motor homes or tents. (Units and powered sites also potentially available.) A mixture of some good but moderate walking (grades 2 & 3) and social times around the camp. A BBQ one night is possible and fire pots (off the ground with a base) will be welcome. If anyone wants to join for part only (even for one day) let me know and (subject to numbers) I can discuss a start time for the day which would enable you to join us..

Suggested arrival at Greens Beach CP, late Tuesday afternoon, aiming for 5.00pm. Advise me of your ETA which can be earlier or later (it can even be Wednesday morning at Badger Head). Cost $22.50 per 2 person for an unpowered site per night. If you intend booking a unit or powered site, let me know and I will see if I can negotiate a discount (10% negotiated for unpowered).

Wednesday. Badger Head to Copper Cove and return (grade 3)  I can delay the departure time if any are joining that morning. Possibly extend to Achers Knob or end with a stroll back along some of Badger Beach (if weather permits and party wants to).

Thursday. Two easy ½ day walks (grade 2) with lunch in between back at the camp or at the nearby kiosk. Greens Beach to West Head Lookout circuit (mainly sheltered in among paperbarks) and a beach walk towards Kelso and back. Tides and weather will determine the order. If the beach walk is too exposed weatherwise, there are several easy and potentially more sheltered walks in easy driving distance.

Friday. Drive to Launceston Cataract Gorge. Do the full circuit from the Basin to Duck Reach, over that bridge, check out the historic power station, up the many steep stairs behind it, take the high level track back the swing bridge and then to the restaurant/kiosk (where, or near, we can have lunch), continue to Kings Bridge down the tourist track and then over Kings Bridge and back to the Basin carpark via the Zig Zag Track. (Grade 3) (If anyone wants to avoid the steep climb out of Duck Reach, they could return to the swing bridge the way we came and meet us at the kiosk across the bridge.)

I will provide further details to registrants or enquirers. Please advise me of your ETA, intended walks, type of accommodation and whether you can bring a fire pot..

Brian Stace

Starting on Syds Track we’ll make our way up to the plateau through some lovely forest. Nearing the plateau we’ll leave the track and navigate north east in the general direction of Mother Cummings Peak. It is mostly good walking but will involve some rock scree and pushing through some scrub and scoparia. There will be excellent views of the nearby Mt Ironstone just to our south. The going gets easier as we approach the Magic Myrtles and we can explore this magnificent area before we reach the Mother Cummings Peak Track and descend back to Westrope Road. The walking time is about 6 hours. Full credit to LWC member Rod How for this route.

The Magic Myrtles

Club Meeting with Reviews and Guest Speaker Greig Clarke. Greig will discuss with us why he joined the North West Walking Club and show photos of his early days in the club.

Counter Meal.

Mt Donaldson

Meet at Ridgley (opposite Sargent's shop) 8am

It's about a 2 hour drive to near Corinna past the Savage River Mine. Coffee at the cars before heading up.

A steady climb of about 2 hours through rainforest and out onto button grass.

If the weather is kind we get 360 degree views of the Tarkine.

Lunch at the top in sunshine (fingers crossed) then retrace our steps to the cars. 

Refreshments at the Corrina Pub before travelling home.

 A nice easy way to fill in the day before our main event. The rough plan for the day is to take a picnic lunch with us on our drive to Waddamana.  First stop will be John Beamonts Grave and Miena Dam. Then we will continue on to Waddamana Heritage Site for a self guided tour of the fully restored power station. (no entry fee ) The scheme started in 1910 and was the beginnings of the hydro electric commission. We will have our lunch in the grounds of the old village.

Join me on my President's after dinner walk on Sunday. We will meet in the Great Lake Hotel car park at 9.30am and drive to the Lower Liffey Falls car park and camp ground. We will then follow the track up the river until lunch time. Have lunch and then return to our cars and drive home. This will be a leisurely walk and we most probably will not get to the the falls (some faster walkers may wish to).

Geryon North & Geryon South are fantastic mountains. Both summits entail steep scrambles up and along narrow ledges adjacent to steep drops

Meet at Fernglade Road spillway carpark just before the reserve at 9am. Follow the walking path and cross the Emu River Bridge into the actual Reserve and continue beside the River along the path before climbing up the bank to access the second entry through to the Stowport Paddocks signage.  Morning tea at the lookout before continuing on to the paddock section and then retrace to the River bed sandy beach for a well earnt lunch.A few steep pinches on the way!  A coffee at wivenhoe should round off a good days outing!

Hopefully the winter weather has been kind to the PCT but I am sure there will be some trees down and vegetation that needs attention. Now is also the time to tackle the foxgloves at Loongana and along the Leven River. Come along for a day out and help keep the Club’s track open for the summer season.

This will be a walk from Ronny Creek to the western side of Cradle Mountain looking at the various features of the landscape which have been formed by glacial action both ancient and modern. It is also a moderately demanding walk for those just looking for exercise.

A gentleman told me of an overhang he found in the 60's and there was a cache of a frypan and numerous other items stored there that he found. He believed it was used as an overnight stay to access the Blue Peaks area from Lake Rowallan. Now I found this overhang and its remains and thought it would be a great walk to take the club in to see. The access is via the Rinadeena Falls Track but instead of going to the falls you visit a different falls and up to the sandstone cliffs. Really amazing area just for the cliffs and overhangs. If you would like to join me remember that it is rough walking in spots and off track for part of it.

Black Bluff

12^th November with Steve Lunn

We’ll meet at the Ulverstone wharf where we can carpool as necessary for the drive to trailhead at Taylor’s Flats. The walk starts with a picturesque stroll beside the Leven River.  After a bit of that we begin the ascent (954m) up to the summit for breathtaking 360° views on a good day. We’ll enjoy lunch in the sunshine admiring the scenery before retracing our steps to the cars.

  Should the weather not deliver the views we can lunch at Paddy’s lake before retracing our steps.  Join us for a great day out.

Federation Pk. Very steep scrambling. Text me on 0428 451 528.

We will meet at Exeter Bakery at 9.15am for morning tea before our walk. Drive to Gravely Beach and walk to Paper Beach or a suitable place to stop for lunch about 12.30pm. Then retrace our steps back to our cars at Gravely Beach. This will be an easy, wonder's  walk. 

It's been quite a few years since I've been on this peak. It's a short very steep climb, so perhaps a hard Grade 3. If the weather's crap, I'll have a plan B. I'll be coordinating transport from the Ulverstone area, however we'll all meet at Cradle Visitors centre.

Club Meeting: Theme Night: Photo Competition. Counter Meal.

The area bounded by Deloraine, Mole Creek, Meander and Whitemore offers some of the safest and most spectacular cycling in the state.  On this trip we do three fairly easy rides (there is not a lot of climbing) within this region over three days, basing ourselves at Quamby Corner Caravan Park.  The trip also includes lunch at the Raspberry Farm, two nights socialising around an open fire and an evening meal at a pub.  Basically anyone of reasonable fitness who can ride a bike can do this trip.  So come along and enjoy the pleasures and benefits that cycling offers.  You are welcome to come for 1, 2 or 3 days.  If staying overnight you need to book your own accommodation.

Meet at 8:30am at the Rangers car park at Narrawantapu NP. We will walk over to Archers Knob and then down onto the beach over to Copper Cove. From there we can decide to go further or have lunch and retrace our steps back to the car park. Afternoon tea can be in the day shelter shed.

Club Meeting.Walker Out

This is a walk to the high country of the February Plain which I have tried to match to the flowering of the Waratah which abound in the area. Time will tell if I have the timing correct. It is a moderate Grade 3 walk and the final route will depend on the party and the weather. You should come with warm clothing (due to the elevation) and wet weather gear. Boots, gaiters, Sun protection, lunch and water are also needed. Bring a camera or mobile phone for Waratah photos. We will meet in the Sheffield car park at 8.30 am. The last few km of the access road is particularly rough so only vehicles with good ground clearance are suitable.

With summer and longer days it is time to head out and explore more parts of the PCT as I am sure there will be areas in need of us giving it some care and attention. Come along for a day on the Club’s track.

Yes Burnie is rather  hilly, so on this walk we will be going up or down as often as we are strolling on the flat.

Leaving the Burnie Park Cenotaph at 9.30am  (where there is ample parking) intend to go up past Oldaker Falls then move further uphill before we come  through part of the old tip now a green field area then down past the tennis courts for our morning tea break. Moving off again short uphill before we meander around some of old Burnie, before we enter the city centre and follow the foreshore walkway around to our lunch spot Foreshore Cafe which is located next to the surf club.

After lunch its a 10or 12 minute stroll along the board walk and over the highway back to the cars.

We will meet at the Frankford Memorial Hall, Frankford at 9.30am. Travel to Notley Fern Gorge for a wonder around the loop track. The track is steep in places and muddy if it has rained. It is a beautiful gorge to visit. There will be plenty of time for photos and morning tea.

We will then travel to Tamar Is. for a short walk and find a nice spot for a picnic lunch.

On our way home we could stop in Exeter for an ice cream or coffee, time permitting.

The plan for the trip is to leave either from Scott’s Peak or The Huon area (via the YoYo track) and head into the Eastern Arthurs.  Once on the range, we will try and climb the Four Peaks, the Gables and spend two nights at Hanging Lake with possible trips to Federation Peak and Geeves Bluff.  Return via the same route.  Pace will be moderately fast with longish days along the plains.  Expect some varied weather as this range is notorious for bad weather at any time of the year.

It's been a few years since I've done this circuit so it's definitely time for a re-visit - while I can hopefully still do it!  From Herods Gate we ascend King Davids Peak then follow the skyline of the West Wall all the way to Solomons Throne.  It is a spectacular traverse!  We normally have lunch about halfway along where we enjoy a spectacular 360 degree panorama.  From Solomons Throne we descend to Damascus Gate where we engage autopilot and follow the highway back to the cars.

Meet Mt Direction reserve just off East Tamar Highway in Dalrymple Road at 10am.  Morning tea here before heading up the very pleasant track to the site of the early semaphore tower and huge rock cairn.  The track winds UP to the summit and has views back over the Tamar River through the trees from the track as you come back down!  We will head to Hollybank for a loop walk after, via the back roads to Liydale. Lovely walking under the beautiful old trees and down to the Pipers River and back to the carpark area for lunch.  Continue on the Lilydale Road and back onto the Highway out to Windermere to see the St Matthias Church built in 1843 nestled next to the Tamar River.  A coffee at the Hillwood Fruit Farm should round off a great day! Limit 12.

The aim is to summit Eldon Bluff.  A lovely remote area.  The days will be hard and longish but well worth the effort when Lake Ewart is reached.  We will need some dry weather to cross the Collingwood River and then we will be on our own.  Please contact me before registering as this walk requires some previous off-track experience and a certain level of fitness.

I'm planning 6 day's paddling on the middle section of Lake Pedder. Day 0 will be traveling and camping in the Maydena area, day 6 will be a short paddle and driving home. Everything is weather dependent: it can be extremely hot or cold, gusty and lumpy, so only reasonably experienced paddlers considered. One day is planned as a peak climb/rest day/spare day. For more specific details contact me  0429143245. Dates may have to be somewhat flexible- as we'll look for the best long-range forecast.

The biennial Bushwalking Tasmania social & walking event will be at Bruny Island based at the Captain Cook Adventure Bay caravan park.

A variety of walks is planned in the easy to medium grades,

Text me on 0428 451 528 for more details.

Book your own accommodation at the Captain Cook Adventure Bay caravan park.