Tarn Shelf Circuit

6 h, 8 h to 2 days

13.6 km
circuit

↑ 553 m
↓ -553 m

Hard track
Starting from the car park at the end of Lake Dobson Road, Mount Field National Park, this full day circuit walk traverses the spectacular Tarn Shelf. You’ll walk on boardwalks and natural surfaces, with some steep ascents and descents leading in and out of the Tarn Shelf. There are some rugged and rocky sections, and some parts of the track can get muddy after rain. In winter, the tarns are often frozen and the track can be slippery in places, or obscured by snow. To protect the rare and sensitive alpine vegetation in the area, walkers are requested to stay on the formed tracks. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-42.6852794,146.5937298)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Lyell Highway, A10
  • Turn on to Gordon River Road, B61 then drive for 3.4 km
  • Turn slight right onto Gordon River Road, B61 and drive for another 12.4 km
  • Turn left onto Gordon River Road, B61 and drive for another 7.5 km
  • Turn right onto Lake Dobson Road, C609 and drive for another 15.2 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 55 m cross the bridge (about 6 m long)
After another 9 m head through/around the gate.
After another 480 m continue straight.
After another 310 m continue straight, to head along Lake Webster Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Platypus Tarn. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 175 m (at the intersection of Lake Webster Track & Platypus Tarn Track) continue straight, to head along Lake Webster Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Lake Seal via the Lake Seal Route. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.5 km (at the intersection of Lake Webster Track & Lake Seal Route) continue straight, to head along Lake Webster Track.
After another 1.9 km cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. A highly recommended side trip taking you to the shore of Twilight Tarn and the hut nearby. There is also a toilet at your disposal. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn around when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.4 km (at the intersection of Twilight Tarn Side Track & Lake Webster Track) turn left, to head along Lake Newdegate Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to the Newdegate Hut next to Lake Newdegate. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 2 km (at the intersection of Lake Newdegate Track & Tarn Shelf Track) veer left, to head along Tarn Shelf Track.
After another 10 m pass the "Newdegate Hut" (65 m on your right).
After another 2.9 km pass the "Rodway Day Shelter" (5 m on your right).
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Mount Field West Track & Tarn Shelf Track) turn left, to head along Tarn Shelf Track.
After another 730 m come to the "Lake Seal Lookout" (60 m on your left).
At the intersection of Tarn Shelf Track & Snowgum Track veer left, to head along Snowgum Track.
After another 330 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 410 m continue straight, to head along Urquhart Track.
After another 590 m continue straight, to head along Urquhart Track.
After another 490 m (at the intersection of Urquhart Track & Pandani Grove Nature Walk) continue straight, to head along Pandani Grove Nature Walk.
After another 205 m continue straight, to head along Pandani Grove Nature Walk.
After another 55 m pass the toilet (40 m on your right).
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Lake Dobson Road & Pandani Grove Nature Walk) turn left (a service road).
After another 50 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to Platypus Tarn.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Platypus Tarn Track & Lake Webster Track Start heading along Platypus Tarn Track (a walking track).
After another 670 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 670 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to Lake Seal via the Lake Seal Route.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Lake Seal Route & Lake Webster Track Start heading along Lake Seal Route (a walking track).
After another 360 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 360 m to the main route.

A highly recommended side trip taking you to the shore of Twilight Tarn and the hut nearby. There is also a toilet at your disposal.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Lake Newdegate Track & Twilight Tarn Side Track Start heading along Twilight Tarn Side Track (a walking track).
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Twilight Tarn Side Track.
After another 7 m come to the end.
About 35 m past the end is a toilet.
"Twilight Tarn Hut".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 145 m to the main route.

An optional side trip taking you to the Newdegate Hut next to Lake Newdegate.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Lake Newdegate Track & Tarn Shelf Track Start heading along Lake Newdegate Track (a walking track).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of K Col Track & Lake Newdegate Track) veer left, to head along Lake Newdegate Track.
After another 35 m come to the end.
"Newdegate Hut".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Tarn Shelf Circuit


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 13.6 km
Time 6 h, 8 h to 2 days
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There are 3 on route, on average they are 3.5 km apart with the largest gap of 5.9 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.6 km apart with the largest gap of 7.9 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
5.8 km + 145 m[toilet]
Shelter
5.8 km + 165 mTwilight Tarn Hut
Shelter
7.7 kmNewdegate Hut
Shelter
10.6 kmRodway Day Shelter
Toilet
13.6 km[toilet]
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Articles
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Get more information
| www.thelifeofpy.com | about-tasmania.com.au | thelongwaysbetter.blogspot.com | PWS walk details and Alerts
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