Hiking the South Coast of Tasmania
A Unique Hike Along One of the Remote Coastlines in the World
Feb 24, 2008
The South Coast Track of Tasmania is considered one of the best through-walks in Australia. Early explorers shipwrecked on this rugged coastline considered it the “worlds’ end.” The track is about 80 kilometres and takes around seven days. And is a great walk!
Getting to the Start
Most hike from west to east. First a light plane from Tasmania’s capital Hobart to the remote airstrip at Melaleuca; then you walk east to Cockle Creek, a small settlement on the southern most road in Australia.
From the airstrip the track winds through a valley and down to the beach, where the track joins the southern ocean that is a constant companion on the hiker’s right shoulder for the next week. Day two is a long walk to the base of the Ironbound Range.
The Toughest Day
Day three is where it starts to get really tough. This is a long, hard day climbing over the Ironbound Range; a huge chunk of mountain extending from inland Tasmania to the coastline. The only way past is up and over. And forget about nice, gentle zig-zags of a graded track. This is straight up; a 900 metre climb to the summit.
The views from the top can be spectacular if you're lucky with the weather. If Lady Luck isn’t a traveling companion, you’ll be enveloped in a white mist of cloud, sleet or even snow in the middle of summer.
Over the top, the track deteriorates into a conglomeration of roots, rocks, tree branches, water, mudholes and moss; 900 metres straight down. After this long slog, the campsite for the night is the appropriately named Deadman’s Beach. While relaxing in this camp, look south and the next major landmass is Antarctica.
Boat Crossing
The next day’s excitement is the boat crossing of New River Lagoon. After about six or seven hours walk, you come to a tidal river outlet about 300 metres across. You have to use two boats to get to camp on the other side. The idea is to row across, pick up the other boat, tow it back then leave it on the first side and come back over in one boat. This leaves one boat on each side of the lagoon.
For the rest of the South Coast Track you will ramble along deserted beaches of fine white sand, slog through huge mud-holes, climb waterfalls, marvel at spectacular scenes, and wade creeks.
Logistics
There are designated campsites with bush toilets and usually a fast-flowing fresh water source nearby. You will need to carry a fuel stove as the entire track traverses World Heritage Listed areas.
The track is well defined and easy to follow. In some spots it can be torture in the wet as the boggy button-grass plains hold the water. The most unique aspect is that it is possible to hike the entire track and have no other human company. You might see an occasional light plane overhead, or a boat out on the water to confirm you’re not alone on the planet.
For anyone planning an assault on this track you need to get really fit, reduce the pack weight and be prepared for rain. But it is worth the effort. The spectacular scenery, the unique isolation and the strong physical challenge make Tasmania’s South Coast Track one heck of a wilderness experience; a great walk!
 |
 |
 |
 |
