Hiking the South Coast Track Tasmania

The South Coast Track Tasmania is an 85through forest and there are areas with lots of
kilometer long walk that runs from Melaleuca toexposed tree roots so care must be taken not
Cockle creek. Hiking the South Coast Track takesto slip or sprain an ankle . The time taken can be
between 6 to 9 days to complete and is ananywhere from 6 to 10 hours depending on
arduous walk not to be undertaken by the unfit.fitness and weather.
Hiking the South Coast Track is classified as aDay4: Deadmans Bay to Osmiridian Beach.This is
moderate to demanding walk and the time takena 13 kilometer walk which takes between 4.5 to 6
to do this hike is variable depending on thehours to complete with about 150meters of
weather, tides, swollen rivers and the amount ofclimbing and descending . Most of this day is
mud encountered.walking along beaches with some good views to
The main walking season is December through tobe had. At the end of Prion Beach you must
March however the weather can still be cold withcross New River Lagoon by boat. There is a
gale force winds and heavy driving rain so youdinghy on either side to cross and you must leave
must be prepared to encounter extreme weatherone on either side once you have crossed for
conditions. The terrain ranges from button grasssubsequent walkers. The campsite at Tylers
plains, rock strewn beaches, steep climbs andCreek is reached by going left from the main
descents and lots of mud. When hiking the Southtrack.
Coast Track you need to start at Melaleuca andDay 5: Osmiridium Beach to Granite Beach takes
you will need to fly in by light aircraft. However3 to 4 hours and is an 8 kilometer hike with
poor weather and strong winds can cause delaysclimbs and descents of about 300 meters. Walk
so it is best not to have too tight a timetable.back to the main track from the campsite.The
Regular public transport is available at the end oftrack passes through forested areas although it
the walk during the main walking season.does pass some large bays on the coast. There is
The Orange-bellied parrot,which is extremely rare,a steep climb then a less steep descent to
breeds in the summer months at Melaleuca andGranite Beach. There are good views here.As you
can be seen from a specially constructed hidego to the eastern end of the beach climb up next
about 100 meters from the Melaleuca airstrip.to the waterfall and continue for another 100
Day 1: Is a 13 kilometer walk from Melaleuca tometers to the campsite.
Cox Bight. Soon after setting out from the airstripDay 6: Granite Beach to South Cape Rivulet is a
you walk along the beach until you reach Point10 kilometer walk which takes 5.5 to 7 hours and
Eric which is a sheltered campsite to spend thehas about 600 meters of climbing and descending.
first night. This will take about 3 to 4 hours. All theThe last major climb of the walk is on this day.
campsites have pit toilets. You also need to carryYou have to cross the South Cape Range which
portable stoves and fuel as fires are onlyis forested country and can be quite muddy.
permitted in certain areas.There are some excellent views and magnificent
Day2: Is an 18 kilometer hike from Cox Bight toforests to be seen. The campsite location means
Louisa River. There is a small climb of about 230you have to cross the South Cape Rivulet which
meters on this day and you walk over the Louisacan be difficult after heavy rain or at high tide.
Plains to the campsite at Louisa River. There areDay 7: South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek. The
campsites on both sides of the Louisa River . Iflast day takes 3 to 4.5 hours,is 12 kilometers long
you can cross the river when you arrive then itand has climbs and descents of 150 meters. After
may be best to camp on the other side just inwalking along the next two beaches you have a
case of rain overnight. Day 2 is about 5 to 7choice of walking inland or scrambling over rocks
hours of walking.to Lions head. If the weather is bad then the
Day 3: Goes from Louisa River to Deadmans Bay.inland track may be better. The track then
This day is a hard day as you have to cross thecontinues on to the road at Cockle Creek from
Ironbound Range which means a climb of aboutwhere you can get a bus to Hobart,although you
900 meters followed by a descent of about 900have to plan ahead as the bus only runs three
meters. If the weather is good then there aredays a week from December to March.
excellent views available, however you can getHiking the South Coast Track is quite an
strong winds and low cloud which can make forachievement and one that is well worth
an unpleasant and hard days walk. The descent isundertaking.