South Coast Track Advice

[philm]

We have done a fair bit of walking in Tasmania and SA on and off track and was after some advice ont ehSouth Coast Track as follows:

We are looking at Late January / early Feb 2016 - I know this is a good time weatherwise and that the Sth West is unpredictable but what the view of timing?

Duration we are looking at doing the track over 7 days / 6 nights (allowing for 1 extra day in case of weather) - the various trip wite ups suggest the following

Melaleuca Port Eric at Cox Bight
to Louisa River
to Deadmans Bay over Ironbounds
to Prion Beach Boat crossing
to Granite Beach
to South Cape Rivulet
to Cockle Creek

Is this the best or are there any alternatives (prefer a short last day walk)


We plan to fly in and walk west to east - what is the best way to get from Cockle Creek back to Hobart?

Any tips / other suggestions

[Azza]

I did pretty much the same itinerary years ago..
I think we probably skipped Prion Beach and went to Granite Beach as Prion is not that far from Deadmans Bay.
I've camped at Prion several times after doing the Southern Ranges so never felt the need to stop for a 3rd time.

The Ironbounds sort of dictate timing a little bit, i.e. you need the better part of a day to cross them, unless you want to camp up high.
So you'll find its not two whole days of walking to get to Louisa River.

I hear Louisa Bay is worth a side trip.

Granite Beach to South Cape Rivulet is tedious even if you are used to Tassie mud.

But that plan is sound.

[norts]

I have done the SCT twice now and this is my itinerary both times
1st night Point Eric
2nd night Louisa Bay -leave late on the next day - spend time walking out to Louisa Island. Short day to Louisa River
3rd night Louisa River
4th Little Deadmans
5th Osmiridium
6th Granite - Of all the campsites I have stayed at on the SCT this is the worst, only because there are not alot of flat spots.
7th South Cape Bay - near Lion Rock - you get out early the next day
Melaleuca to Louisa is a nice two days if you dont want to do Louisa Bay as an overnight.

norts

[Nuts]

You could play it by ear with the weather, Louisa Bay or get across the river that day (just to add to comments above).
Evans Coaches Geeveston (standard reply to baulking at $850) or.. Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences, local charter operator.

[wander]

Cockle Creek out, organise with Evans to get to Geeveston, then catch the commuter bus Geeveston to Hobart.

http://www.tassielink.com.au/timetables/huon-valley-hobart-cygnet-dover

Or a taxi from Geeveston which I have done and it was reasonable. Folks use taxi to and fro Hobart - Geeveston as the best sushi restaurant in Tasmania and possibly Australia is there.

[Genesis]

I have done the SCT twice now and this is my itinerary both times
1st night Point Eric
2nd night Louisa Bay -leave late on the next day - spend time walking out to Louisa Island. Short day to Louisa River
3rd night Louisa River
4th Little Deadmans
5th Osmiridium
6th Granite - Of all the campsites I have stayed at on the SCT this is the worst, only because there are not alot of flat spots.
7th South Cape Bay - near Lion Rock - you get out early the next day
Melaleuca to Louisa is a nice two days if you dont want to do Louisa Bay as an overnight.

norts

I have done the track once following this above itinerary, however we did not stay at Granite beach we pushed on to the top of the range and stayed at track cutters camp.
Water is the only hassle but about 1k before the camp there is a creek that had a good flow as long as you have plenty of water to the camp you will be fine.

Also soon after you leave the camp you will also cross another creek with a good flow about 1.5k out of camp.

Have a great walk.

Genesis

[philm]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Genesis how much further is the track cutters camp from Granite beach? Do you think there will be water in the creeks that you mentioned in summer? I know it rains a lot there?

[Orion]

Cockle Creek out, organise with Evans to get to Geeveston, then catch the commuter bus Geeveston to Hobart.

http://www.tassielink.com.au/timetables/huon-valley-hobart-cygnet-dover

Or a taxi from Geeveston which I have done and it was reasonable. Folks use taxi to and fro Hobart - Geeveston as the best sushi restaurant in Tasmania and possibly Australia is there.

Do these options work well in reverse for a relatively early start at Cockle Creek?

When we first visited Tasmania we scoffed at the notion of the South Coast track. We assumed it was a flat walk along the beach. When we finally got around to looking into it we were surprised. And when we did it (in the same standard 7 day itinerary) we were blown away -- almost literally on top of the Ironbound Range where the winds were knocking everybody ass over tea kettle.

Now we are relishing the opportunity to repeat the walk that we once imagined would be dull. But in the other direction, for a few different reasons. We used the Evans coach at the end of our west-east walk before but when I checked their website recently it didn't exist. Are they still there? What's it cost to arrange a taxi or use Tassielink and then a taxi?

[wander]

For an real early start and if there was 2 to 4 folks, taxi from Hobart. Pre-book for a station wagon.

Other option I have done is commuter bus down in the evening (taxi once when my flight from the mainland was hours late and I missed the last bus) , stay at 1 of the 2 B&Bs (The Bears House or Cambridge House) in the town and have Evans do a 8 or 9 am pick up for delivery to CC.

http://www.cambridgehouse.com.au/ my fav as you can watch platypus while having your fish and chip dinner (from the Turkish Takeway on the Huoan Highway through the Park) in their back yard.

http://www.bearsoverthemountain.com/ handy for a meal at the Sushi place. But they often close for extended period in Summer.


The commuter bus has been an excellent service in my experience, free wifi on board even.

Geeveston is the jump off point for all things Picton River and beyond hence the experience of the ins and outs. I've never done the SCT east to West, only West to East. But the principles for accessing the SCT are the same as accessing the Picton area.

[Orion]

Wander, thanks for the help. The thought of fish and chips and a platypus sounds very nice!

We don't need to get that early a start though. The bus from Hobart arrives in Dover at about 9:30am. Do you know what we can expect a taxi from Dover to Cockle Ck. to cost?

[frenchy_84]

I agree with Norts in skipping south cape rivulet and continuing on to Lions Rock, South Cape rivulet camp is under some big gum trees which isnt great in high wind and when we were there it was really busy, so we kept walking to Lion Rock where we had the campsite to ourselves and so close to the end that we made it to Dover in time for a pub lunch.

[Orion]

Evans Coaches no longer goes to Cockle Creek.

[Wilderness Exped]

Ta. I'll need to remove them from the Rolodex!
Hitching would be another option, especially if you finish on a weekend.

[issywhit]

hi guys, just wondering if anyone has some recommendations for a 6 day/5 night itinerary? A friend and I are planning to hike the SCT in the first week of December this year.

In answer to the Cockle Creek question, from my research I found $150pp (for 2 people, cheaper the more you have) with Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences (http://www.twe.travel) for a charter bus. Other option is $200 per vehicle cab ride from with Gilbert from Dover Taxico (up to 7 ppl + bags) to get to Geeveston to connect with Tassie Link bus ($14 or so). To Hobart is $400 per vehicle. Details are all on the Par Avion website (http://paravion.com.au/flights/bushwalking/)

With the 2 of us we are thinking its worth paying the extra $36 each to avoid the hassle of getting the bus and then having to find our way to our Hobart accommodation fresh off the trail!

cheers
Whit

[Lophophaps]

Background on the SCT is sought.
* Who cut the SCT and when? I cannot find a definitive reference.
* I believe that planes no longer land at Cox Bight. If so, when did this happen?
* There used to be shelters at Point Eric and Deadmans Bay. Any idea when they were removed?
* Why do the toilets have no roofs?
* Can PB and the Ironbounds be seen from Surprise Bay?
* Some of the SCT is FSOA. How does PWS view fires in the rest using driftwood?

TIA.

[Mark F]

I believe (but from distant memory) the South Coast Track, Port Davey Track and Huon tracks were all cut in the mid/late 1800's to provide an escape route for shipwrecked sailors. This included shelters stocked with minimal provisions.

The entire SWNP and Melaleuca Conservation zone are Fuel Stove Only areas. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=19252

You may (unsure) see the Ironbounds from Surprise Bay but would not see PB.

[icefest]

Philm:
I'd suggest playing it by ear, most campsites are pretty nice.

Personally, I think Prion and Osmoridium are both awful camps. If the weather is nice, camp at the western side of the boat crossing instead and avoid the rubbish of Osmoridium and the mozzies of Prion.
Water at the crossing is annoying.

Lophophaps:
Why should the toilets have roofs? It another expense in a remote location, it adds extra environmental impact, It's another thing that can break and need replacing.
The only reason is for comfort, but how long do you spend on the dunny anyway?

From memory you are allowed to have a fire at the fireplace at Deadman's Bay.

[biggbird]

I believe (but from distant memory) the South Coast Track, Port Davey Track and Huon tracks were all cut in the mid/late 1800's to provide an escape route for shipwrecked sailors. This included shelters stocked with minimal provisions.

The entire SWNP and Melaleuca Conservation zone are Fuel Stove Only areas. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=19252

You may (unsure) see the Ironbounds from Surprise Bay but would not see PB.

This sounds very familiar to me... I'm sure I've read it somewhere, more than once. Don't recall who cut them though. Should pull out my copy of King of the Wilderness to see if there's anything in there... But I'm lazy.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

The entire SWNP and Melaleuca Conservation zone are Fuel Stove Only areas. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=19252

Fires are permitted at at least two campsites (Little Deadmans and Surprise Bay?) and fireplaces, legal or otherwise, exist at various other sites (including Osmiridium, which I agree with Icefest is the pits, and Granite Beach from memory).

[Mark F]

WFBW - Could you provide a reference from Nat Parks that identifies the location of any campsites on the SCT that allow fires. I think that is required in the interests of accuracy and to prevent people from inadvertently breaking the law or even worse, starting a fire which escapes. Everything I have heard and read suggests my statement of FSO is correct.

[pazzar]

WFBW - Could you provide a reference from Nat Parks that identifies the location of any campsites on the SCT that allow fires. I think that is required in the interests of accuracy and to prevent people from inadvertently breaking the law or even worse, starting a fire which escapes. Everything I have heard and read suggests my statement of FSO is correct.

From the PWS Website:

Wildfires have damaged parts of the Southwest National Park. Please carry and use a fuel stove. A Fuel Stove Only Area has been declared over the whole of the Ironbound Range due to the sensitive alpine vegetation and along the section of track from Cockle Creek to South Cape Rivulet. Fines can be imposed for lighting fires in these areas.

The rules are a little vague, but the Deadmans Bay and Surprise Bay campfire areas are clearly noted in John Chapman's guides.

[doogs]

This clearly states where you are not allowed to have a fire http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=2265. However, it doesn't mention where you can but hints that you can. I know Chapmans book states that you can have a fire at Little Deadmans and Surprise Bay. My copy is the 2008 edition.
Haha. Snap Pazzar!

[Mark F]

My information came from the document I provided a link to.

Fires
Wildfires have damaged parts of the Southwest
National Park, and campsites have become degraded
from the use of campfires. For these reasons the entire
Southwest National Park is a Fuel Stove Only Area. This
also applies to the conservation area around Melaleuca.
This means that no campfires are permitted, and you
will need to carry and use a fuel stove.

There appears to be inconsistent information on the Parks web site. There is also the statewide issue of it being illegal to light fires on peat soils which most mainlanders would have difficulty in identifying.

[pazzar]

If in doubt - don't do it!

[Lophophaps]

Lophophaps:
Why should the toilets have roofs? It another expense in a remote location, it adds extra environmental impact, It's another thing that can break and need replacing.
The only reason is for comfort, but how long do you spend on the dunny anyway?

I did not venture an opinion. I was asking why the toilets did not have roofs. Everything has environmental impact, so it's a question of cost-benefit. I should also have asked why there were no seats either. Advice about the other questions would be good. The fire point seems ambiguous.

[Azza]

I did not venture an opinion. I was asking why the toilets did not have roofs. Everything has environmental impact, so it's a question of cost-benefit. I should also have asked why there were no seats either. Advice about the other questions would be good. The fire point seems ambiguous.

The fire thing is a historical one I think... It was more to keep the fishermen happy when they anchored in the bays, these guys expect a campfire.
Hence they made a concession at a couple of places. Whether it's still allowed I don't know.
In the past there were definitely signs there saying camp fires okay only in the established spots.

[Orion]

In answer to the Cockle Creek question, from my research I found $150pp (for 2 people, cheaper the more you have) with Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences (http://www.twe.travel) for a charter bus. Other option is $200 per vehicle cab ride from with Gilbert from Dover Taxico (up to 7 ppl + bags) to get to Geeveston to connect with Tassie Link bus ($14 or so). To Hobart is $400 per vehicle. Details are all on the Par Avion website (http://paravion.com.au/flights/bushwalking/)

With the 2 of us we are thinking its worth paying the extra $36 each to avoid the hassle of getting the bus and then having to find our way to our Hobart accommodation fresh off the trail!

Thanks for that. I hadn't noticed that information on the Par Avion site before. It's a shame that bus transport no longer exists.

The SCT with flight and ground transport is an expensive walk!

[icefest]

Lophophaps, it's like the Sputniks in the Arthur ranges, they also have no toilets. I remember there being something in the park management guidelines about only building infrastructure to protect the environment and not for comfort.

TassieEx also have fires at Deadmans bay. http://www.tasmanianexpeditions.com.au/ ... &id=204646

[Orion]

As a followup, we found that the least expensive option for two people going from Hobart to Cockle Creek was with a woman recommended to us at the Tourist Info office. She quoted $150 total for two people but unfortunately she couldn't do it on the day we wanted to go. Tasmanian Wilderness Experience quoted twice that price (150pp or $300 total) with the possibility that the price would drop if other people signed up for the same day.

In the end we just booked a local taxi. Super convenient. For midweek they seemed quite happy to do it for $230 total, which was pretty close to what the meter ended up reading -- for one way.

[neaira]

Orion, would you mind passing on the number for the woman or the Tourist Office who recommended her? I'm also looking at transport options for three from Cockle Creek in late Feb. With the taxi, did you pre-book or just ring once you arrived in Cockle Creek?