Recently I had the pleasure of taking in some of the walking tracks on Mt Wellington on the outskirts of Hobart. Standing at 1271m, Mt Wellington is an imposing force on the city, and a drive to the top is high on the list of things to do for any visitor. For those of us more interested in getting to the top the hard way, Mt Wellington can be accessed via bus at the main walking hubs of Fern Tree and The Springs.
My walk started at The Springs with local guide and bushwalking guru John Cannon. John has a vast experience of bushwalking not only in Tasmania but across Australia and around the world, and writes a weekly bushwalking column in the Sunday Tasmanian as well as operating as a walking tour guide.
From the Springs we headed up the Pinnacle Track, a steady climb on a well trodden path. The track climbs through thick forest initially before opening up to views across Hobart and the Tasmanian coast. Beside the track, dolerite rock columns were starting to appear and gave an extra point of interest to an already picturesque track.
Continuing on, we eventually came to a fork in the track and headed left up the ZigZag Track toward the summit. This track is so named due to a number of switchbacks that weave their way up the steep side of the mountain. This track is also full of sweeping coastal vistas, and provided many a kodak moment as the clouds swept through below us.
As we continued to climb, the temperature cooled, with ice crystals appearing on the rocks. This was a clear indication of what I would be in for at the summit, and I steeled my tropical nerves for the climactic challenge. Once I’d got over this shock, I noticed the bush had started changing again, taking on more of the classic alpine appearance of low bushes and hardy plants that I love. I forgot my anxiety about freezing to death and let the thought of reaching the summit propell me forward.
Eventually the gradient subsided and the track started to level out. At this time, the wind also started to whip across, and within minutes of coming out of the shelter of the Eastern slope the wind had numbed my thighs, fingers and nose and put thoughts of frostbite into my head. Luckily, my inner drama queen remained calm and we donned some warm gear before proceeding to the summit point for the obligatory photo. Though the clouds didn’t allow an uninterrupted view from the summit, standing at the top of a mountain is always a satisfying moment and it was a pretty sight regardless.
We spent a few minutes inside the summit shelter defrosting and reading the information boards before starting the walk back down. From the summit, we headed down the road before taking the Panorama Track through the scrub to find a sheltered spot for morning tea. A hot cuppa was definitely a welcome treat. The bush had again changed back to eucalypt forest, and I still found myself fascinated by the streaky bark of the trunks.
After our break we continued on, slipping onto the road momentarily before again heading into the bush. This time we were following the Organ Pipes track which would take us past the dominant feature of the mountain which lends it’s name to the track, and where rock climbers can often be found. The Organ Pipes soon came into view, albeit veiled in cloud. They are an impressive sight and we continued along this path to get the best views of the rock before doubling back and descending on the Sawmill Track to the Sphinx Rock lookout. After taking in the view here, we headed along the Lenah Valley Track – a flat, well graded path, perfect for sightseeing – back to the car, finishing off a very satisfying walk that showcased the changing habitats of the Mountain.
John didn’t stop here though as he was keen to show me a couple of other spots on the mountain. We drove down a little way and started on the Circle Track to take in O’Grady Falls and Rocky Whelan’s Cave, a notorious bushranger of the area. These tracks showed a different side again of the mountain, characterised by tree ferns and moss, and made a very green contrast to the higher spots on the mountain.
All in all, Mt Wellington has a huge range of walks suitable for all fitness levels, and it’s proximity to Hobart makes it a convenient choice for visitors as well. The weather shouldn’t be taken lightly and warm, waterproof gear is a must at all times. The range of habitats, combined with spectacular ocean views and unique geology give walkers many features to take in along the way. So if you’re visiting Hobart, do yourself a favour and take the long way to the top of the Mountain.
The bushranger Rocky Whelan's hideout
Gum trees and lichens
Our morning tea spot
O'Grady Falls
Lush mosses.
The Circle Track
Lush growth on the Circle Track
The Lenah Valley track
The Organ Pipes
Eucaplypt with the Organ Pipes in the background
Eucalypt on the Organ Pipes track
A cloudy view
Freezing at the summit point
Pineapple scrub
The summit
Alpine plant life closer to the summit
The clouds roll in
Looking back down the Zig Zag track
Dolerite rock column
Beautiful vista
Plant life on the Pinnacle Track
Eucalypts on The Pinnacle Track
Views from the Pinnacle Track