Where we went: Montezuma Falls, West Coast Tasmania (with the whole Sapphire Clan)When we went: Summer 2023Grade of walk: long 2Proposed time for walk: 3 hoursTime spent walking: 3.5 hours (long lunch) the falls are tall, but there isn't much spray in the drier days of summer, so the rocks below are the prefect picnic… Continue reading Montezuma Falls
Where we went: Twelvetrees Walk, Southwest National Park.When we went: Spring 2022Time spent on walk: 2 hoursGrade of walk: high 2, low 3As this track passes through Tas Networks property it would be best to do this walk on a weekend or public holiday so as not to disturb any site works. Sapphire, admiring the… Continue reading Twelvetrees Range, Southwest National Park
Where we went: Mt Field East, Mt Field National Park When we went: Spring, 2022 Proposed time to complete walk: 4-5 hours Actual time spent on walk: 5 hours Track rating: Grade 4 (out of 5) – note that this rating seems to be primarily based on navigation needs in this specific instance. Parks passes… Continue reading Mt Field East, Mt Field National Park.
There isn't much to specifically describe the track by other than 'steep rock scramble', it is marked with some permanent light reflective yellow arrows, and some faded spray painted arrows. Occasionally the arrows suggest that some sections have separate paths for people travelling up, and for people travelling down. It is, otherwise, a fairly lawless place, at least as far as navigation is concerned. There are 3 distinctly difficult sections that will have you questioning every decision you made that brought you to the moment you find yourself in now. These feelings will pass (at least until you have to attempt those same sections in reverse).
Where we went: Cradle Mountain Summit, returned via Horse Track When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 5-8 hours Time spent on walk: 7 hours Grade of walk: 4 Cradle Mountain National Park is one of the most famous and spectacular national parks in Tasmania. There are a range of hikes to… Continue reading Cradle Mountain (summit)
Where we went: Fluted Cape (nuenonne/Bruny Island) When we went: Spring 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 2.5 hours Time spent on walk: 3 (plus a 1 hour lunch break) Grade of hike: 3 Sommelier and I often struggle to reconcile our love for food with our love of hiking. While such activities are not… Continue reading Fluted Cape (Bruny Island)
Where we went: South Cape Bay (Cockle Creek). Originally the land of the lylue-quonny tribe. When we went: Early spring, 2020 Estimated time to complete walk: 4-5 hours Time spent on walk: 5.5 hours (long lunch break) Grade of walk: Grade 3 Sapphire near the cliffs. South Cape Bay, in the far South of Southwest… Continue reading South Cape Bay (Southwest National Park)
The path hugs the pink quartzite cliff-face for the entire ascent. We were walking in the wetter season and found that there was an almost constant freshwater drip over the cliff and onto our heads. As we were very hot this was a welcome relief, although it did add a certain slip-factor to some of the stones underfoot and we both found ourselves grateful for our hiking poles.
The falls are a broad sheet standing in a small opening in the forest which forms a brilliant beam of light. It makes a soft sound, rather than a thundering, but the collection of broken trees scattered at the base suggest that she can, occasionally, put on a spectacular show.
The Needles is an unsigned, wild walking trail best suited to those with experience. The track is only marked with cairns and plastic ribbon which adds to the sense of wilderness. It is the perfect way to dip your toe in the Southwest National Park and learn what some of the bigger walks might have in store.
Sapphire and Sommelier 