Tasmania specific bushwalking discussion.

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Tasmania specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.
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S.W. Cape water.

Thu 22 Dec, 2016 9:43 am

I'm off to explorer the SW Cape circuit in early Feb.
From what I've heard and read there is not much in the way of water between Wilsons Bight and Noyhener Beach. I,m just wondering how reliable the water source at Window Pane Bay and also Murgab Creek will be at that time of the year.
Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated

AL

Re: S.W. Cape water.

Thu 22 Dec, 2016 6:46 pm

I did this last summer, it was a very dry trip. Luckily all the major campsites had fresh water. The creeks at Window Pane and Murgab are big bodies of water - they will never run dry. The worst campsite for water was actually New Harbour. There is also a tarn on the SW Cape Range, just beyond the 601m highpoint. Shoot me a pm if you have any other questions.

Re: S.W. Cape water.

Thu 22 Dec, 2016 9:19 pm

I fly into Melaleuca on the 28 Dec. to do SW Cape circuit. Ask again after the 6 Jan and I will be able to give you an update. Last time I was there there wss no problems with water.

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Re: S.W. Cape water.

Fri 23 Dec, 2016 3:18 pm

Thanks for the response. I wouldn't have picked New Harbour as the dry point in the circuit so that is a handy piece of info to have.
Hope you have an enjoyable trip and a Happy Xmas and New year in the SW Norts and I'll be in touch after the 6th.

AL

Re: S.W. Cape water.

Fri 23 Dec, 2016 3:24 pm

Last time I was there, we set up camp around lunchtime on (near) the cape itself. Despite it being a drought year, the small creek was still flowing. But once we tasted the water, we had to pack up and walk on. It tasted like diluted sea water, having been contaminated by salt spray from the sea, even though that was maybe 100m below us. BIG spray can pound into the rocks below there and get blown in a fine mist right over the adjacent land.

The water at Window Pane Bay was great. But as norts says, get an update from him after his trip. Then you'll get a more likely indication of how it'll be when you go.

Cheers

Peter

Re: S.W. Cape water.

Sat 07 Jan, 2017 5:44 am

Finished the circuit on Thursday.
The worst water was at New Harbour. I would suggest you pick up your water just as you come into the Harbour. There is a little waterfall on your left..
I didnt see the tarns on SW Cape. Didn't see anything! It was clagged in. Norts

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Re: S.W. Cape water.

Tue 10 Jan, 2017 10:41 am

Sorry to hear the weather gods weren't shining on you Norts.
Hope you had a good time anyway and that your next trip is a bit brighter.

And thanks for the water update.

AL

Re: S.W. Cape water.

Tue 10 Jan, 2017 3:28 pm

The tarn at the Northern end of the Range has been damaged some time ago (clearly someone was camped next to it and rather then move their tent to higher ground they cut a drainage channel from the tarn, very, very dopey thing to do) and is unlikely to hold water anytime soon without remedial action. This is the tarn noted by Chapman, I did suggest this advice be added to his updates page but it does not look like it made the cut.

Between this tarn and the star droppers there is a spring but it is quite hard to find under all the growth. We found it by ear. It is down the gully a whisker, I suspect this is not a permanent spring but worth an look for on a hot day, very fine sweet water.
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