4 Day South West & Mount Field Hiking Tour

Our central Hobart pick up is from the Hotel Grand Chancellor – please arrive at 7.45am for 8.00am departure.

We head west from the city, stopping en-route for short break before commencing on our first walk of the trip – the Lady Barron Falls Circuit. This scenic walk in Mount Field National Park includes Russell, Horseshoe and Lady Barren Falls. The first section to Russell Falls is easy, and is one of the states most photographed and best loved natural attractions.

There is a short steep climb from here to Horseshoe Falls where we stop to appreciate another stunning waterfall. We continue along the meandering forest trail passing beneath towering Swamp Gums, the tallest flowering plants on the planet, before reaching the lovely more secluded Lady Barron Falls.

After a beautiful and relaxing walk viewing waterfalls, giant eucalyptus and dense rainforest we wander back to the vehicle and head to our next short outing to Junee Cave for a 1km (30 min) return walk. This cave is the exit point of an underground river which is part of a localised limestone karst network.

In the afternoon we arrive at Giants Table Cottages to unpack and settle in. This will be our place of stay for the next three nights.

Tonight’s meal will be a two-course dinner prepared by your guides.

7km, 3hrs approx. easy grade

After breakfast and lunch making, we head out and embark on the Tarn Shelf Walk – rated by our guides as ‘right up there’ among the best in the region.

This stunning walk takes you into the lesser visited higher reaches of Mt Field National Park. The track climbs onto an alpine plateau and passes by a series of glacially formed tarns and lakes as well as several rustic huts. In fine weather – this exhilarating walk offers incredible views of the surrounding ranges.

Some of the track is on the boardwalks to alleviate the muddier sections and to protect the rare and sensitive vegetation in the area, however it can still be occasionally wet underfoot at times. Tassie’s mountain weather can also be highly changeable in the alpine zone, so it is a good idea to pack that extra warm layer.

This track is especially spectacular in autumn when the leaves of the native deciduous beech tree changes colour. The Tarn Shelf is a hidden gem and you are likely not to encounter many other walkers whilst out on the trail. It is a fantastic walk and a real highlight of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch (dinner at guest own expense).

12km, 5 hrs approx. hard grade

After breakfast and lunch making, we pack up and head off for our walk. The 1 hour scenic drive into the heart of the South-West brings us to the start of the Port Davey track. This long-distance walking trail is the starting point of the challenging 5 day journey from Scott’s Peak to the remote outpost of Melaleuca.

Utilising parts of this trail, our walk passes through sections of wet forest and open button grass plains – offering expansive views across to the Western Arthur Range and Mount Anne. Mount Anne is the highest peak in the South-West area, at an impressive 1423m.

After we leave the main trail our route includes some short sections soggy track and scratchy native scrub – a small taster of the what challenges have made the South-West wilderness notorious for generations of hardy bushwalkers. A long-sleeved shirt and pants are advised. We bunch together to take this section slow, and before too long the vegetation opens back up and our climb continues towards Red Knoll lookout. Along this ridge the views of Lake Pedder are spectacular. At the summit we are rewarded with a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain ranges that make up part of Tasmania’s largest National Park and World Heritage area.

After the walk we will enjoy afternoon tea, and weather permitting may even have the opportunity for a swim in Lake Pedder. We then head back to our accommodation – stopping along the way for the Creepy Crawly Nature Trail – which is as magical as the name suggests. This is a short 30 minute wilderness boardwalk track through lush, temperate rainforest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

8 km, 4hrs approx. moderate grade

After breakfast and lunch making, we head off into the Florentine Valley which is an area of dense old-growth rainforest. We are treated to a plethora of unique slow growing plant species, and many fine examples of tall eucalyptus. The track itself can be occasionally quite wet and slippery underfoot so although an easy short walk, care needs to be taken.

This trail is fantastic for photographers and macro-organism enthusiasts. The forest beams with life in the form of brightly coloured fungi, mossy tree trunks and decaying plant matter. It is incredible and awe inspiring.

A short climb to brings us out of the canopy to the Tiger Range Lookout, where views are afforded across the Florentine Valley to nearby mountains such as The Thumbs, The Needles and those of Mt Field National Park. This is a great short walk through an ancient   eco-system, passing through a variety of vegetation types.

In the afternoon – our walk can be extended further  following the Timbs Track down to the Florentine River itself, passing through more old growth rainforest – or we can choose to include a secondary return walk to the lovely Marriott’s Falls. This stunning waterfall is especially worthwhile after heavy periods of rain.

We arrive back into Hobart by 5 pm to drop off guests.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

10-12km, 4hrs approx easy/moderate grade