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G R E AT W A L K S
South Coast Track The South Coast Track lies within the Southwest National Park and takes you through the heart of over 600 000 hectares of wild, inspiring country. It is recommended that you gain experience on other Tasmanian walking tracks before doing this walk, as it is remote and there are steep and rugged sections of track which can be challenging for inexperienced walkers. The 85 km South Coast Track runs between Cockle Creek in the east and Melaleuca in the west. There are no roads to Melaleuca, so walkers must fly, take a boat or walk in and out. About 1300 people walk the South Coast Track each year with the majority visiting from December to March. Most people take 6 to 8 days to complete the walk, depending on time spent enjoying the beaches. Track surface may be rough and muddy over extended sections. Some walkers combine the rougher Port Davey Track with the South Coast Track, a combined journey taking 12-14 days. See the South Coast Walks Map & Notes for further details.
Transport and tours Bus and plane companies provide transport services to the southwest, for further details contact the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre on 1300 655 145. Private vehicles may be left at Scotts Peak or at Cockle Creek. Walkers are warned, however, that some vehicles parked in remote locations have been robbed or vandalised.
Fees You are required to pay a fee to enter the Southwest National Park. The most convenient pass for these walks is the Backpacker Pass. The pass is valid for all national parks for a period of 2 months. It is available from all park centres, and selected retail outlets such as Service Tasmania. Updated information on park entry fees can be obtained from the Parks and Wildlife Service on (03) 6233 2621.
Walk safely Let someone know before you go. Leave details of your planned trip with a reliable friend or relative. Use walker registration books when starting and finishing your walk. Be aware that these are not checked regularly, and a search will only be mounted if someone reports you as lost or overdue. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) can be hired from Service Tasmania (phone 1300 135 513). On the South Coast Track the Ironbound Range rises to 900 m and the weather can change rapidly. A warm sunny day can quickly turn into one of high winds, hail, sleet and snow — even in summer. Walkers should be fit and prepared for a long day’s walk (up to 10 hours), as there are no campsites on the Ironbounds. At times of heavy seas and high tides, some rocky sections of the South Coast Track can be unexpectedly inundated by ocean waves. At times of risk, stop and observe sea conditions for at least 15 minutes. If in doubt, do not
South Coast Track.View across South Cape Bay to Soldier Bluff and South Cape Range. Photo:Tim Dub
Depar tment of Pr imar y Industr ies, Par ks, Water and Environment
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proceed. Particular care needs to be taken at Granite Beach and the unnamed bluff on the eastern beach at Cox Bight. Most of the coast is exposed to cold, wet, southerly winds. Rain falls on average every second day Scotts ack during summer and moreveoften seasons. y Tr in otherPeak Dam a tD r Streams that should not be crossed when high are: • South Cape Rivulet • Louisa River • Faraway Creek • Louisa Creek • Milford Creek
Boat crossing
Huonville
There is a water crossing at New River Lagoon that require the use of small row boats. Be aware that the outlet of New River Lagoon may not be as the map shows, as the river changes its course across theA6 dunes. There may be temporary signs to show you a new B68 route. Please ensure you leave a boat secured on each side, with oars, for the next person. This may involve Geeveston doing more than one crossing. If you’re alone, you may find the passage difficult as the boats are quite heavy for one person to drag Hartz across Mountains the sand to secure to National the cables. If alone, consider waitingPark till high tide so A6 there’s less distance to drag the boats. To Cygnet
Pedder
Dover
Port Davey
Melaleuca
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Southwest National Park
Hastings Caves
C635 Lune River
C636
Boat crossing
Coxs Bight
Southport
Catamaran
Fishers Point
Cockle Creek
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Southwest National Park South Coast Track
Kms Map not suitable for navigation
Walk times Day Start Point
Destination
1
Melaleuca
Point Eric
Distance Time (hours) 13.4 km 3½ - 4½
2
Point Eric
Louisa Creek
10.5 km
3-4
3
Louisa Creek
Louisa River
6.3 km
2 - 2½
4 5 6
Louisa River Little Deadmans Bay Prion Boat Crossing
Little Deadmans Bay 12.3 km Prion Boat Crossing 9.4 km Surprise Bay 9 km
6-9 3½ – 4½ 3½ - 4½
7 8 9
Surprise Bay Granite Beach South Cape Rivulet
Granite Beach South Cape Rivulet Cockle Creek
1 - 1½ 5-7 3-4
Great Bushwalks – South Coast Tr ack
3.1 km 9.1 km 11.4 km
Possible Side-trips Melaleuca Bird Hide
Distance
Time
200 m
20 mins return
Louisa Bay
6.6 km
2 - 2½ hours
2.5 km 22.6 km 1.2 km
3.5 hours return 2 - 3 days return 20 mins return
Preciptious Bluff Osmiridium Beach
Essential items Warm waterproof clothing, appropriate equipment and adequate preparation are essential.You will need a suitable map: the ‘South Coast Walks Map and Notes’ is recommended.
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.
Huts and camping The Southwest National Park is a wilderness area. The only huts on this circuit are at Melaleuca. All overnight walkers must carry a tent and fuel stove. A walking group size of less than six is recommended as campsites can become overcrowded.Very basic accommodation for 20 people is provided in two huts at Melaleuca. Water and mattresses are provided but there are no cooking facilities; so you will need to use a fuel stove. The recommended campsites for the South Coast Track are Cockle Creek, South Cape Rivulet, Granite Beach (east), Surprise Bay, New River Lagoon Boat Crossing, Deadman’s Bay, Louisa River, Point Eric and Melaleuca.You will have less impact on the area by using these sites. Please leave campsites cleaner than you found them. All rubbish should be carried out and if possible this includes rubbish that has been left behind by others.
Water Although many walkers regularly drink from lakes and streams without ill effect, water quality cannot be guaranteed. It is reccommended that water be boiled for three minutes or treated with water purifiers. Beware that what appears to be freshwater on a map may turn out to be brackish if close to the sea. Take special care not to pollute the water particularly around campsites. Always wash 50 m away from streams and lakes using a container and avoid using soaps and detergents. At beach campsites, use the mouth of the stream or the sea for washing, keeping downstream from where drinking water may be collected.
Toilets There is a pit toilet at Melaleuca. All recommended campsites on the South Coast have pit toilets. In areas away from toilets, faecal waste must be buried 100 m away from any watercourses or campsites. Dig a hole
Great Bushwalks – South Coast Tr ack
Crossing Louisa River. Photo:Tim Dub at least 15cm deep. The soft sandy soil means that it is easy for animals to dig up toilet waste and scatter toilet paper. Make sure you use a sturdy hand trowel so you can dig a deep hole.
Phytophthora cinnamomi Phytophthora cinnamomi is a fungus that kills many of our native plants. It is known to exist at Melaleuca and is spreading in an easterly direction along the South Coast Track. Mud and soil, which is carried on boots, gaiters and toilet trowels, helps to spread the disease. To prevent infecting new areas, clean all gear thoroughly, including boots, tent pegs and toilet trowel, prior to your walk.You should also wash your boots at each significant stream crossing, and clean all gear thoroughly at each campsite. Consider walking the track from east to west to reduce spread of this disease.
Please remember Your safety and the protection of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area depend on you.Visitation to these areas is increasing and if the area is to maintain its wild nature all visitors need to minimise their environmental impact. With your help Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area can continue to inspire others that come after you.
Further information South Coast Walks, Map and Notes; 1:100 000 Topographic — available from Parks and Wildlife Service on-line shop at www.parks.tas.gov.au and Service Tasmania, 134 Macquarie St, Hobart. Phone 1300 135 513. Contact: Parks and Wildlife Service, Huonville Ph: (03) 6264 8460.
Leave No Trace 1 Plan ahead and prepare Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you will visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Walk in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6. Repackage food to minimise waste. Take maps and compass or GPS and know how to use them, to eliminate use of flagging tape or rock cairns. 2 Walk and camp on durable surfaces Durable camping surfaces include established campsites, tent platforms, rock, gravel and sand. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. If you use rocks to secure tents, return them to their place when you leave. Protect water sources – camp at least 50 metres from lakes and streams. Protect plant life – avoid spread of Phytopthora and other soil-borne diseases by keeping boots, camping equipment and vehicle tyres clean.
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In frequently used areas: Concentrate use on existing tracks and campsites. Always walk on tracks, even when wet or muddy, so damage is kept to a narrow band.
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In pristine areas: Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and tracks. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
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3 Dispose of waste properly Pack it in, pack it out. Check you campsite and rest areas for rubbish and spilled food. Pack out all rubbish and leftover food. If there’s a toilet, use it. Otherwise bury all faecal waste and toilet paper in holes 15-20cm deep at least 100m from water, camps and tracks. Cover and disguise hole when finished. Carry out any sanitary pads, tampons and condoms. Wash up using hot water, preferably without soap or detergent. Strain and scatter washing up water 50 metres away from water sources. Wash your body at least 50m from water sources.
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4 Leave what you find Respect Aboriginal sites and other sites of cultural significance. Preserve our past: examine but don’t touch cultural or historic structures and artefacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. 5 Minimise campfire impacts – use a fuel stove Many parts of Tasmania are Fuel Stove Only Areas. In these areas fires are not permitted. Carry and use a fuel stove. Out of preference, use fuel stoves even where fires are permitted. Escaped campfires have caused landscape wide damage, and can threaten human life as well as plants and animals. If lighting a fire (where permitted) use only established fire places and keep the fire small. 6 Respect Wildlife Keep wildlife wild. Feeding animals can turn them into pests and may make them sick. Store food and rubbish securely to discourage wildlife from finding it. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach wildlife. 7 Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors Respect Aboriginal culture and country. Respect the wishes and regulations of all hosts (eg Aboriginal, pastoral, land managers and locals) Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Let natural sounds prevail – avoid loud voices and noises.
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Internet: www.parks.tas.gov.au
Great Bushwalks – South Coast Tr ack August 2010 © State of Tasmania
