Walking for pleasure for 60 years

Walk #50 (Day 39) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”

The 2nd of 2 West Coast waterfall walks. Yesterday's went in via a relatively flat track to the bottom of the falls, today's drops down to the top of the falls. For a "preview" see https://waterfallsoftasmania.com.au/waterfalls/philosopher_falls . Will car pool from Waratah.

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

I've walked past this hill a number of times without ever making the effort to climb it, usually because we're on the way to somewhere else or been on the way out and just couldn't be bothered. Plan is to go up the Higgs Track and stop at Lady Lake hut for morning tea. Thence we'll carry on south along the track for two or three klicks before hanging a right to make the ascent. This last bit up the hill & back will require about 1.5km or so of off track. No idea about scrub etc, but how bad can it be? Come and find out.  

Our next social function will be a celebration of autumn. The plan is to meet at Hollybank Reserve for lunch and walks and to enjoy all the colours of autumn. For those who wish to we will then go onto Lillydale Falls (more autumn colour) walk to the falls and to camp the night (free camping) Then on Sunday  for those who want we will drive to Mt Direction and do the walk to the summit and remains of the   semaphore station. Come along and join us for part or all of another great weekend together.

A wander to an old historic hut (maintained by scouts) in beautiful west coast rainforest. A couple of hours up on old road and tramway, with some steep and slippery sections. Lunch at the hut - feed the resident swamp rats and look for glow worms in the abandoned mine. Back the same route. If we are really lucky we will not get wet from above.

Walk 51 (Day 41) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”

We will climb The Nut from the car park before doing the tourists' loop of the top (and then descend down the path again). For a "preview" see https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/the-nut-state-reserve/the-nut-walk . There is another short walk this afternoon on the return home.

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

Walk #52 (Day 41) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”

A stroll to look for platypus, but we will extend this Great Short Walk a bit to get over 30 mins walking. For a "preview" see https://parks.tas.gov.au/things-to-do/60-great-short-walks/fern-glade 

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

Walk #53 (Day 42) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”

After an unremitting (but sheltered) climb up Higgs Track, Lady Lake Hut is a welcome spot for lunch, whatever the weather. For a "preview" see https://tastrails.com/higgs-track/ 

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

Walk #54 (Day 43) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”

The last of those chosen from the 60 Great Short Walks and the last walk exceeding an hour. For a "preview" see https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/narawntapu-national-park/archers-knob 

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

Club members may have noticed Meander Crag looming over them as they walk up the Meander Falls Track but many of them may not actually have climbed it. We will reach it by crossing the river and following the Split Rock Track steeply up to the plateau. Then we will go off-track and rock-hop our way to the Meander Crag summit. For the return we have a choice of either the alternative Split Rock Track on the way down and visiting Shower Cave Falls and Split Rock Falls or returning via the Meander Falls Track and making a proper circuit of it.

Anyone planning to come on this trip will need to be comfortable with crossing boulder fields as there is quite a bit of rock-hopping at the top. It will be worth it though, to get an alternative view of the valley.

The Black Bluff Range is a lovely stretch of ridge walking and I thought that I would do something a little different and follow the PCT from Belvior Lookout on the Cradle Link Road and follow the track North to a side peak on the range known as Black Bluff West. This will be a long walk of about 20kms return. We will be walking at a brisk pace so that we can achieve this goal. If you would like to join me give me a call in the evening of the week before the trip.

Walks #55 - 58 (Day 46) of Brian’s Cancer Council fund raising project Walking for Health & Helen: Over 50 Tassie walks in under 50 days”. These 4 walks were all Helen's favourites, frequently done when time &/or energy did not allow longer ones. You can do all 4, or join for any. All grade 2.

The first is Don Railway & Sawdust Bridge circuit. For a "preview" see https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/tasmania/don-river-loop-track-via-sawdust-bridge . Meet at the Don Railway carpark 9.30 am.

2nd walk, Pig Island, Bells Parade (Latrobe), meet at the Axemans Hall of Fame car park at 10.30. Then the Dooleys Hill & Sheehan Walk, (starting from the same car park, approx 11.15) both described in https://www.latrobetasmania.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Latrobe-Walking-Tracks-Guide-February-2017.pdf . The final walk will be Helen's circuit at the Arboretum (Melrose) starting at 2.30. http://www.tasmanianarboretum.org.au/images/maps/map_arboretum_large.jpg

Email brian.stace@bigpond.com to express your interest. Numbers will be limited. Further detail will be supplied to those who express interest.

Autumn is upon us and the days are cooling a little, but still plenty of daylight, so why not join us for a pleasant outing in the bush somewhere. Where we go will as always depend on any critical areas of concern and the weather at the time. A good chance to explore parts of the PCT at a slower pace and be close to nature … very close in fact as you will be picking it up after clearing works.

Annual General Meeting with Reviews & Guest Speaker, David Wools-Cobb: Under The Nullarbor. David will show photos and talk to us about caving under the Nullarbor. 

This will be an easy, slow walk to admire and photograph the waterfalls and the fungi.

Mount Duncan and Tall Trees track, Dial Range

Mt Duncan is the highest and one of the most rocky tops in the Dial Range, south of Penguin. We will drive along Ironcliffe road, past Ferndene picnic area to the car park at the junction of Ironcliffe Road and the Dial Creek Road. The first part of the walk will be along a rough road then down the Tall Trees Track, across a small creek, and up to the Mt Duncan summit. Lunch will be on top hopefully taking in views over the coast and inland. After lunch we will follow a minor track down to the Mt Duncan track and then back to the cars. Then coffee in Penguin if people wish. This is a short but steep walk, with about 550 m ascent.

Suffering from too much heat & sunlight? It's time to try something different. We'll hopefully be visiting a Gunns Plains area cave, depending on weather conditions in the weeks before-hand, otherwise a suitable Mole Creek cave will be chosen. This will be a beginners type trip with some gear provided, however you will need knee pads, more information will be provided to those registering. I will involve another caving club member to assist- numbers limited.

Leven River via Keddies Creek and return. We will commence this walk at the Montgomery Carpark and walk the PCT (Penguin Cradle Trial) to the Leven River.  Depending on the group and available time, we may continue our walk along the old tramway track along the Leven River for awhile,  Please note it is a return trip. Remember to bring water and food with you.

Due to a deer cull at the WOJ ,I have changed Solitary Man Hut to Basil Steers Hut 3 , we will walk up the Arm River Track & turn off the track before  the Wurragarra Cr crossing & walk up a minor pad approximately 2 km to the hut in a large Pencil Pine grove , & perhaps walk to a nearby un-named lake if time permits

Executive meeting to hand over to the new Executive members for 2024-2025.

We will meet at Deoraine Train Park at 9.00am and travel to the Lower Liffey camp ground. A peaceful stroll along the Liffey River track, stop for lunch when we are hungry then retrace our steps. Depending on the time we may stop in Deloraine for a coffee before heading home.

We will approach Lake Balmoral from Lady Lake so the walk will begin with the climb up Higgs track. This is a pretty walk but is mostly off track.

Minnow Falls is one of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Tasmania. It is quite steep and the section between the lower falls and the middle falls involves some scrambling up rocks, a rope ladder and a scramble through a cave where a torch may be handy. After taking in the view at the middle falls lookout, we’ll probably continue up, climbing several more rope ladders to reach the Minnow Rivulet above the falls – a good place for lunch. We’ll return by the same route.

Information Day for Prospective members

Social Meeting with Reviews and Guest Speaker, Leanne Hays: Leanne will show photos and talk to us about her Twelve Days At Lake Pedder. Walker Out. Counter Meal.

This walk has been rescheduled to June because of the area being closed for deer culling in May.

To quote the National Parks and Wildlife Service "The Walls of Jerusalem is a wild and inspiring alpine park with a labyrinth of highland lakes, craggy mountains and elegant stands of pure pencil pine forests."

The broad plan for this trip is to visit several main attractions of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park from a base camp at Dixons Kingdom. Day one we would walk via Trappers Hut (a reasonably steep 600m ascent), past Wild Dog campsite to Dixons Kingdom campsite and do a side trip to the Pool of Bethesda. 

The next day we would leave our tents pitched and do a day trip to nearby peaks such as King Davids Peak or Mount Jerusalem. On the last day we would walk out via Lake Adelaide, Junction Lake Track to Trappers Hut and regain the track we started on down back to the cars.

Note that given the altitude and time of year, the nights could be chilly. Average temperature range for May is about 10 to 0C. You should take good waterproofs and an insulative layer, including head, hands, and foot cover. Unless it has rained relatively close to the trip dates, we may need to carry for the first half day.

 For more information about the area see the Parks walk description, but note that it describes a walk with an additional day. https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/walls-of-jerusalem-national-park/walls-of-jerusalem-multi-day-walk

Autumn is upon us and the days are cooling a little, but still plenty of daylight, so why not join us for a pleasant outing in the bush somewhere. Where we go will as always depend on any critical areas of concern and the weather at the time. A good chance to explore parts of the PCT at a slower pace and be close to nature … very close in fact as you will be picking it up after clearing works.

Starting from Don we'll follow the bike path all the way to Latrobe.  The pace will be easy and the rest stops will be whenever you want one.  We'll return via the same route and at a location in Devonport yet to be decided enjoy a relaxing lunch.  Road, hybrid, commuter, mountain, gravel and electric bikes are all welcome along with their owners.

Escape winter to the sunny east coast for a relaxing few days base camped at Dora Point. There will be walking and kayaking options for those joining me with the opportunity for people to explore other areas in their vehicles. All activities will be weather dependent.  

Meet at Burnie Yacht Club at 9.30am.  Walk from our cars through the Bass Highway lights to Infuse Coffee House closeby.  Continue up through South Burnie and behind Menai Hotel, following grassy path to Mount Road.  Up the wooden steps and around to the Lookout!  Continue back onto Mount Road and Upper Burnie up past Parklands High School to top end of Romaine Park.  Walk through the Park and have lunch undercover before walking down through Brooklyn to our Cars.  Afternoon tea nearby to finish our day.  Come for a look around Burnie.

Gil will inspire us with a selection of  slides of his favourite photos. Counter Meal

Nice easy day out photographing fungi and waterfalls. Plan is to walk to Philosopher Falls first. Have lunch and then visit Wandle Falls.

  Counter Meal

Meet Highclere Shop at 9.30am for morning tea before we start our adventure!  Order coffee and pull up a chair!  Its quite a few years since we had a look at these great waterfalls, upper cam, the next ones are what I refer to as stinging nettle ones so beware at tewkesbury, a lovely lot of basalt rock nearby, st josephs, then off to guide falls for a bbq lunch, under shelter if wet but in the open if sunny!  There was a hole in the road at Tewkesbury recently so lets hope its fixed otherwise a bit of extra driving.  Please note not much walking to any of the falls virtually close to roadside, but fantastic falls all of them different!  After lunch we will have a look at Sanderson and St Georges (close your eyes to the rubbish nearby) and possibly one or 2 more at West Ridgley, depends if my cousins are about!  Come for a fun days outing with camera's ready for action shots that may win a spot in our photo comp!

Julian Is a Senior Podiatrist at Footprints Podiatry and will discuss with us whether boots or shoes give more ankle support and what exercises/taping can be useful. Bring your boots along and Julian will be able to give you advice. Walker Out. Counter Meal.