Bushwalk Australia

We are plaining a circuit from Frenchmans down into Irenabyss and back out to Victoraia Pass in March next year, we are allowing for 7 days, any advice from Mary Creek Plain out to the Higway , or any good tips would be much appreciated. Thanks Claude

Giving details of sensitive areas in a public forum would breach forum rules, so some replies may need to be by private message.

But jut briefly, I've heard and read about Mary Creek Plain and was advised to go around it instead. We did this, following the ridge line around the east side of the plain, and although there were a few bands of very thick scrub, I gather they were no worse than the base of Flat Bluff at the north end of the plains, and that the climb is nowhere near as climbing out of the plains. Additionally, we saw no leeches at all, in contrast to those plains having the worst leech reputation of anywhere else I've heard of or been (maybe that's where Robin Gray got the idea). The only trouble with the ridge line is water. You'd need a straw for drinking out of yabbie holes, and should carry some too. Don't forget you'll need enough for dinking as well as cooking. We say no water after leaving the Irenabyss for the entire rest of the day, and for a few hours the next day, apart from Yabbie Holes.

I met a couple coming back from Irenabyss last week, who mentioned exactly that - about taking a straw to drink out of yabby holes. Can you post some photos of yabbie holes? I've seen small holes along the track, about an inch in diameter, but they were always in moist areas, like down from Barron Pass.

John Chapman's book on "Southwest Tasmania" discusses the route out through Mary Creek Plain to Victoria Pass, though he says it's ill-defined. Does an ill-defined track with bushbashing equate to a sensitive area?

Mmm...we walked there last January. We walked from the Irenabyss (carrying water) to Hill 791. After crossing Mary Creek (& getting another supply of fresh water) we were scratching our heads trying to find the campsites described in the Chapman books. We failed! We headed up the eastern side of some tough impenetrable scrub before making headway west & finding dry ground to pitch our tents for the night, below Flat Bluff. Even coming down Flat Bluff the next day & finding the track or direction to start up the Raglan Range tested everyone's temper. We split into two groups (we could see each other at all times) & eventually both parties ended up on the gravel fire track that takes you out. We didn't come out by way of Victoria Pass as we had young walkers in our group & decided it easier to stick on the more defined route.

Great walk & very challenging but amazing views & scenery.

Hope that's not too sensitive Nik.