Come and discover the beauty and remoteness of the South Coast Track. This 9 day hike is Tasmania's (and Australia's) southern most track and it combines a large range of environments from wilderness beaches to temperate rainforests and snow capped mountain ranges. Quite simply this part of Tasmania is truly awesome to say the least.
Early explorers once called this part of the world "Lands End" This hike is rich in cultural and historical significance, aboriginal people used the same route for thousands of years as did ship wrecked sailors from earlier times. Your journey starts with a spectacular air flight into a bush airstrip at Melaleuca. This short flight picks its way through rugged peaks and over mountain lakes and provides spectacular views over Tasmania's southern ranges. We all meet in Hobart the afternoon before the trek for introductions, a gear check and a sunset kayak and dinner on Hobart's harbor.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Hobart to Point Eric – 12km (4.0hrs). We depart Hobart mid – morning boarding a light aircraft flight which gives us access to Melaleuca, the starting point for the South Coast Track. On the flight you will have magnificent views over the South Coast National Park and the Southern Ocean. Our trek heads south over button grass plains and skirts around the New Harbour Range before reaching the wide expanses of Cox Bight Beach. Not long after walking along our first wilderness beach we re–enter the bush and arrive at our first nights camp at Point Eric.
Day 2: Point Eric to Louisa River – 14.1km (7hrs 10m). From our campsite at Point Eric we drop back down to the beach of Cox Bight for a short while until we reach Buoy Creek. From here we head inland and then steadily climb 210 meters to the top of Red Point Hills. Beautiful views are offered here of the great Southern Ocean, last nights camp at Point Eric and views of the daunting Ironbound Range that we will be tackling the next day. It is relatively easy walking from here dropping down onto button grass plains and through magnificent rainforest to Louisa River. We cross Louisa River and camp on the southern side in the shelter of the forest. The forests are dominated by eucalypti with an understorey of ferns. The older growth trees provide nesting sites for black and sulfur crested cockatoos and wedge – tailed eagles.
Day 3: Louisa River to Little Deadman’s Bay – 12km (10hrs). After a hearty breakfast we prepare ourselves for our assault on the Ironbound Range. Undoubtedly this is the hardest day of the trek, but it is also the most rewarding. It is a steep climb to the top and we pass many false summits on the way before stopping on the crest of the ridge for lunch and a well earned rest.
The only true alpine vegetation of the trek grows here around the summit. These plants have to hold on tight as they contend with the exposure to the southerly winds. In good weather the views from here are amazing. The dominant Federation Peak can be viewed to the north amongst the wide expanses of untouched wilderness. We then carefully descend the Ironbound Range through dense rainforest to our sheltered campsite at Little Deadman’s Bay.
Day 4: Little Deadman’s Bay to New River Lagoon – 8.9km (4hrs 20min). We follow the coast for much of the day and we walk along the treks longest beach (Prion Beach). As we walk along the beach we do a bit of beach combing as it is interesting to observe what the Southern Ocean has thrown ashore. At New River Lagoon the Parks and Wildlife have left a rowboat on each side of the lagoon. After working out the logistics of getting everyone across and still leaving a boat on each side we soon have camp set up for the night.
Day 5: New River Lagoon to Surprise Bay – 9.2km (4hrs 55min). Form New River Lagoon the track continues through light forest; crosses Milford Creek and takes us through eucalypt forest to Surprise Bay. The first glimpses of the magnificent Fluted Cliffs of the South Cape are seen from here. At Surprise Bay there is a beautiful campsite perched on a headland with wide views of the Southern Ocean and the Islands of the Maatsuyker Group. Aboriginal middens and artifacts are spread right along the coast and some evidence of their way of life is still seen today.
Day 6: Surprise Bay to Granite Beach – 3.2km (1hr 30m). A short walk today, up and over a headland to Granite Beach arriving in time for lunch. The name Granite Beach coming from its large granite boulders that dominate the shoreline. We camp above a waterfall at the eastern end of the beach. The remainder of the day we spend relaxing and exploring our surroundings.
Day 7: Granite Beach to South Cape Rivulet – 8.4km (8hr 30min). We climb up and over the south Cape Range and take in the views of Pindars Peak to the north and the Great Southern Ocean. We trek through button grass and then spectacular forest as we gradually descend to South Cape Bay. There are a lot of buttress roots to negotiate on our descent and we pick our way slowly and carefully through them. At South Cape Rivulet we cross the river to reach our campsite on the eastern shore.
Day 8: South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek – 11km (4hrs). It’s easy walking today over a series of beaches and headlands. We pass by Lion Rock in South Cape Bay then follow some board walked track through the open heath land of Blowhole Valley then light forest to the track end at Cockle Creek and our last nights camp.
Day 9: Cockle Creek to Hobart. In the morning we have time to explore Recherche Bay at Cockle Creek. Recherche Bay was once an old whaling settlement then came coal mining and saw milling. We slowly readjust ourselves back into civilization before we board our bus back to Hobart. The journey is picturesque as we leave the South East Cape and up through the Huon Valley. We arrive in Hobart at 5pm.
* Clients will be required to carry backpacks that may range in weight from 13kg to 19kg. This will include your personal gear as will as a share of the groups food and equipment. A good level of fitness is required to do this hike and you need to have some pack carrying experience.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Pre-trek sunset kayak and dinner,
- Air flight into Melaleuca, and bus from Cockle Creek to Hobart,
- Two experienced guides,
- Four season lightweight tents,
- Emergency first aid kits,
- Satellite phone,
- All cooking and eating equipment,
- Park passes,
- All food from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 9,
- Lots of fun.
Price Excludes:
- Your airfares to Hobart,
- Your accommodation or food while in Tasmania.
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