South Coast Track

Land Tour

8 days

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South Coast Track
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  • Itinerary
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$AUD 486 per day

Departure: Hobart, Australia

Arrival: Hobart, Australia

Adventure

Tasmania's South Coast Track is one of Australia's finest long-distance walks. On this guided South Coast Track trek you'll be carrying a full pack along the unspoiled wilderness of Australia's southernmost shores. The 85 kilometre walk offers a spectrum of Tasmanian scenes, from empty beaches to towering rainforests and the alpine heights of the Ironbound Range. The South Coast Track is a place of wild scenes and wildlife, with the chance to see wombats, quolls and possibly even the orange-bellied parrot, one of the world's rarest bird species. After a spectacular flight along the coast or mountains to the remote airstrip at Melaleuca in the World Heritage-listed Southwest National Park, you will walk 10 to 15 kilometres each day, carrying up to 20 kilograms and camping at night. The walk has a flexible itinerary that allows for a rest day and time for swims or exploration along the succession of south-coast beaches. Following in the footsteps of early Indigenous Australians and ancient seafarers - the South Coast Track was built as an escape route for shipwreck survivors - our knowledgeable guides will lead you through a true wilderness experience and the challenge of a lifetime. If you have a thirst for full pack hikes, have excellent fitness and an open, flexible approach to being in remote areas for multiple days then Tasmania's South Coast Track is the perfect hiking adventure for you.
About
2 professional wilderness guides
7 nights camping
7 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners, snacks and hot drinks
Food drop provisions along the track
Scenic flight to Melaleuca
Return transport to Hobart by private minibus
National Park fees
Tent and inflatable sleeping mat
Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
Emergency communications & group first aid kit
Hightlights
Scenic flight to Melaleuca
Camping, swimming & trekking along isolated and pristine beaches
Traversing the impressive Ironbound Range
A full rest day at Little Deadman's Bay
Learn of the ancient Aboriginal history of the area
Discover the unique animals and plants that call this remote wilderness home

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hobart to Melaleuca, Walk to Cox's Bight (Point Eric)
The trip starts with the briefing at 8am at the Rock it Climbing Center, 54 Bathurst St in Hobart. Following this briefing you will be Taxied to Cambridge Airport for your flight at 11:30am. The scenic flight by light aircraft into Melaleuca in the remote south west corner of Tasmania is a definite trip highlight. This afternoon we begin walking to the coastline and today’s destination, Point Eric. On arrival at our waterfront campsite we pitch our tents, collect drinking water and settle in with a hot drink and time for a game of beach cricket, a swim, or just a wander along the beach before dinner.
Walking Distance 12km | Walking Time 3-4 hours
**You will need to arrive into Hobart the day before the trip in case there are any last minute changes to the flight to Melaleuca.
Day 2 - kripikara/Cox's Bight to Louisa River
After breakfast and packing up camp we head out along the beach. Tides dictate this morning’s timing as we skirt around a rocky headland before climbing up onto Sedge and Melaleuca clad plains that draw us inland. There are a number of suitable lunch spots where the tannin-stained freshwater trickles through the ancient quartzite hills. We have a short but steep climb then descent over Red Point Hills and will enjoy wonderful panoramic views from the top – today’s high point. In the afternoon we make our muddy way toward the beautiful watercourse of Louisa Creek and onwards to Louisa River flowing close by the impressive Ironbound Range where we will make our camp in the wonderful eucalypt forest, ready for tomorrow's early start.
Walking Distance 17km | Walking Time 7-9 hours
Day 3 - Louisa River to Little Deadman’s Beach via the Ironbounds
The mighty Ironbounds!!! Our high point is almost a thousand metres above where we start and finish today. Your guides will have breakfast ready in the predawn darkness and be busy getting the group on the track by sun-up. We climb up the exposed western slopes, over open ground and vegetation stunted by the prevailing westerlies. In fine weather there are plenty of great rest spots where the views are spectacular beneath us. From the top of the range we may be lucky enough to see the Eastern and Western Arthur Ranges including Federation Peak, through to Mount Anne and all the way to the formidable South West Cape and Maatsuyker Island. The broad top of the Ironbound Range commonly receives the harshest conditions known in Tasmania and snowfalls, gale force winds and pelting sleet are never unexpected. This is a long and demanding day and the top is not even half way, the slippery and muddy descent is through a tangle of lush rainforest which in turn becomes thick Tea Tree bush as the last few kilometres follow the coastline to a very welcome sight – our campsite at Little Deadman's Bay.
Walking Distance 13km | Walking Time 10-12 hours
Day 4 - Rest day at Little Deadman’s Bay
Today is the only full rest day on the tour and is a well earned break after some big days. It’s a wonderful treat to read a book, play some cards and let your body relax and recover from the last few days’ activity. Your guides will spend some time today re-supplying from our nearby food-drop.
Day 5 - Little Deadman’s Bay to Osmiridium Beach
Feeling refreshed, we look forward to tackling some of the track’s best mud holes, a challenging rowboat lagoon crossing and walking along the coast’s longest beach. We trek over broad sand dunes, wade across watercourses and climb over headlands letting no obstacles stand in our way! There are a few campsite choices for tonight and your guides will decide where to stay based on the availability of fresh water, the fitness of the group members and their own personal favourite spots where they may know special sights and hidden points of interest.
Walking Distance 13.3km | Walking Time 4-5 hours
Day 6 - Osmiridium Beach to Granite Beach
This is a favourite day for many people as we wander through wet sclerophyll forest from beach to beach. Today’s short distance means a leisurely lunch with time to wriggle your ts in the sand, swim in the ocean, search for Devonian Fossils, or just sit back and relax. A favourite lunch spot is Surprise Beach, which is just a short distance, if not a little steep, to our afternoon's destination Granite Beach.
As we descend onto this bay our eyes are drawn out to the incredible fluted dolerite columns of South Cape. At the eastern end of the bay our campsite is perched above the cliffs beneath the Tea Tree and eucalypt canopy. Our water source here cascades off the cliffs onto the beach to make a wonderful, refreshing shower.
Walking Distance 10km | Walking Time 4-5 hours
Day 7 - Granite Beach to South Cape Rivulet
A big day in the hills – we get an early start to make our way over the South Cape Range to our final night’s camp at South Cape Rivulet. We begin with a lengthy climb through moist forest to the day’s highpoint about 500m above sea level. If we are lucky there are beautiful views back along the coast as far as South West Cape to the mountains of Pindar’s Peak, Mount LaPerouse and Mount Leillateah. This is a deceptive day with our high point being the first of seven hills that we climb and descend before stepping into the sand of South Cape Rivulet where we cross the sometimes deep, outlet of the lagoon to our campsite. This is a wonderful day of wet and dry forests, buttongrass plains, Tea Tree swamps and dazzling coastal views. The beach at our camp is one of the best along the South Coast for a swim and not many people can resist taking an invigorating plunge!
Walking Distance 9km | Walking Time 6-8 hours
Day 8 - South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek, transfer to Hobart
Today is a gentle end to an amazing trip. The morning has us strolling along a couple of picturesque beaches and then up over a headland. The top of the cliffs is a perfect place for a rest while the waves crash below. Our nine day trek concludes at Cockle Creek, Australia’s southernmost town. This quiet blissful bay has a couple of holiday homes and an information shelter, and is where you will be met by our friendly bus driver to be transferred to Hobart. We usually drop you at your accommodation in Hobart at approx 5pm. After a shower and some clean clothes it's common for the group to get together and enjoy a celebratory dinner at one of Hobart's many wonderful restaurants. This is a spectacular and wild trek that we believe will stay with you for a long time to come.
Walking Distance 11km | Walking Time 3-4 hours
Location

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