Fitness Trail Programs | Trails Adventure Fitness | Townsville

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

What an amazing walk this was – long and arduous with plenty of tough conditions to test us, as well as the physical aspect of climbing 900 metres over 7.5km, then having to go back down again. It was certainly thought provoking to be testing ourselves like this on Anzac Day. We spent a few moments discussing the diggers hardships in battlefields like Kokoda, and promised each other we would limit our complaints because of it.

The morning was a longer than anticipated drive to the trail head on Gourka Road, outside of Malanda. It was dark and raining, and we had assessed the situation by agreeing we would see how the day progressed and would turn around if we felt it was not safe.  We set out with a spring in our step, hoping to make up for lost time. The first part of the trail was a mud bath, resulting in some laughter as we sloshed and slipped, while clambering over the occasional tree fallen across the track. The mud eventually subsided as the gradient increased, and it was sometime around here that we noticed the hordes of leeches cartwheeling up our legs, and dropping from the trees in air-raid attacks. After we finished freaking out, more Bushmen was applied and we continued on.

From here, the ascent commenced in earnest. The steep trail consisted of tangled tree roots that form natural staircases up the mountainside. In the middle of one of these climbs, we heard a loud cracking, and a medium sized tree fell around 20 metres away from us. The noise was amazing as it echoed through the rainforest, and really we were lucky to witness it, especially from a safe distance.

The higher we climbed, the more boulder-strewn the trail became, though by this point “trail” is a loose description. Trail markers were present to keep us going the right way, but it was up to us to find the best path between one marker and the next. The boulders required some thought as often the only way was over, though this made for a good change after the steep tree root stairs. Eventually we came to the North West Peak, an open patch where in theory you should have views of the tablelands and the coast – not for us though. On we went.

From here, there were more steep ascents and descents, and more rock hopping with some true climbing required. More boulders, more near vertical sections, more thickly grassed trail sections, and voila! We reached the summit. Again, there was no view through the cloud, but we had the satisfaction of knowing we had made it. After a bite to eat and a bit of a chat we started back down the way we had come.

The way home was a race against the clock to make sure we made it back in sunlight. The downhill, though faster, saw us falling over a lot more as the tree root staircases became treacherously slippery and not at all as helpful as they had been on the way up. The constant pounding of the steep descent tired our legs further and we were ecstatic to finally reach the car.

This is definitely not a track for the unprepared as the physically demanding rough trail has plenty of hazards on it, and is often not a trail at all. Packing light may seem tempting for such a long day, but leaving out emergency and safety equipment is not really sensible.

When the trail guides talk about rock scrambling, take that to mean you will need to climb up and over boulders using tree roots to haul yourself up sometimes near vertical sections. There are also places where you will have to tunnel your way through thick cutting native grasses, which is a test of your nerves as well as your sense of direction. As you near the top this is the norm.

Time is a big factor to consider; we took 6 hours to go up, and another 4 to come down, which is about average pace. Taking into account that sunlight is limited in the rainforest, head torches are a sensible addition to your pack, just in case.

Then of course, there are the leeches. By the hundreds, they will stalk you and clamber up your legs like the marauding blood suckers they are. Take Bushmen, and plenty of it!

So those are the bad bits. The good bits are that you will see pristine rainforest just the way nature intended it, weed free and in perfect harmony, with orchids, crows nest ferns and ancient trees in abundance. The boulders, though treacherous, are marvelous, and you will be lucky to see another person on the track. And of course, you will have made it to the summit of Queensland’s highest peak, which is a great achievement in anyone’s books.

Long and tough, be fit and well prepared and you will enjoy the rewards of this trail.

The start of the track.

On through the rain. 7am in the rainforest is still pretty dark.

The hills are alive... with the sound of leeches...

Brad heading into another boulder hole.

So pretty...

The summit - yay!

Gorillas in the mist - coming back down the North West Peak.

Creek crossing.

Col in a grassy section, smiling through the suffering!

Scenery like this makes the pain worth it.

The aftermath - leech bites and scratches. I think long pants would have been better than shorts for this one.

Hi everyone!

Well I’m back from New Zealand and the North Island’s famous Tongariro Northern Circuit. The walk was impressive, with amazing vistas, great facilities and ever changing weather.

The most walked section of the hike is the one day Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the section where we commenced our walk. The track is difficult through this part, with an ascension of 765 metres to the highest point of 1886 metres. Alpine weather is typically unpredictable, and we certainly experienced this when the day deteriorated from the light rain predicted to sideways rain and low visibility. As this is the section with the best views and access to both the Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe summits, it was disappointing that we weren’t able to enjoy the fruits of our hard earned labour at the time.

Ketatahi Hut was a welcome site, and we quickly got the gas heater fired up and settled down with a cup of tea to warm our bones. Several bedraggled day walkers wandered in and out of the hut over the course of the afternoon, and we all had a laugh at our miserable day in the rain. After a while we ventured outside again and – eureka! – the cloud had cleared and an amazing valley opened up before us. The spectacular scenery and the way it was revealed through the weather made it feel very special, and suddenly all memories of the day’s suffering disappeared. The newly cleared skies also gave us the opportunity to do a bit of exploring, so we wandered down to the soda springs to fill in time before dinner.

Day two saw us backtracking from Ketatahi Hut up to Emerald Lakes where we had been the previous day in the rain and mist. As we completed the climb back up and rounded the bend, the cloud cleared and we saw the volcanoes we’d walked between the day before for the first time. We headed up the slope again in a buoyant mood and checked out the Emerald Lakes and other sights, and even managed to get a few photos too (ok maybe more than a few!). Luckily the mountain god took pity on us and the weather continued to clear to beautiful crisp days for the remaining days of walking.

The following sections to Oturere Hut, then to Waihohonu Hut and finally Whakapapa Village featured a continually changing landscape and varying views of the three volcanoes, which are worth taking the time to enjoy, particularly at sunrise. The weather stayed clear for the rest of the trip, though our last night at Waihohonu Hut was very cool, with one poor camper showing us the frost on his pack as evidence to this.

These other track sections are not as challenging as the Alpine Crossing, though are still of moderate difficulty. As such, a good level of fitness is needed to ensure walkers have the energy to enjoy the full hike. Hut facilities are great along the entire circuit, and include gas cookers and heaters, and comfortable bunks. The well-positioned huts even have scenic decks which make a nice spot for your evening cuppa. The terrain is unusual and striking, with craters lakes and red-rimmed volcanoes the big ticket items, while ice cold creeks and changing plant life provide interesting details. The often barren landscape may not appeal to some, though for others it will be exactly that difference that draws them in. Unique and challenging, I gave this walk a big thumbs up.

Yours in hiking boots,

Climbing the ridge past red crater.

The view from Ketatahi Hut.

First view of the volcanoes - happy days!

Rock cairn with Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe and Red Crater in the background.

Emerald Lakes

The descent from Emerald Lakes.

On the way to Oturere Hut .

Oturere Hut

Sunrise Day 3, Mt Ngauruhoe

Windswept bush in the sand dunes.

The valley on the way to Waihohonu Hut.

Ohinepango Springs

One of the many flowering plants.

Taranaki Falls