South Coast track in Winter

[LetsGo]

Hi everyone,

just stumbled across this great forum!

Wanted to ask a question about walking the south coast track in winter. My Tasmanian cousin and i did the south coast track, including the Port Davey track, in 2008 in January. it was a great experience and we are planning on doing the walk again this winter, in June. We have a fair amount of winter experience in Tassy and just wanted to hear some more peoples experiences of doing this walk in winter.

cheers

[Penguin]

Wet. Cold. Short Days.

Cheers P

[LetsGo]

yup figured that ....was more after peoples specific experiences

[dan]

Wet. Cold. Short Days.

Cheers P

Thanks, Penguin - very helpful

I'm the Tasmanian cousin, FYI.

[Penguin]

didn't say I don't enjoy mid winter walks - I organise one each year. We have struggled getting the expected daily disatances due to the shorter days. Love my warm winter walking cloths too.

Are the rivers up more during winter? I haven't cheked the rainfall pattern.

P

[Lynda Moir]

We have only walked the South Coast track in summer and the trip was very wet and muddy. Also in winter I would imagine there could be problems with the creek crossings and around the rocky headlands.
Good luck!

[LetsGo]

thanks guys. Yeh i guess we already knew what the issues will be. My concern is probably the water level of some of the creeks/rivers, we should be fine. we will post some pics ect up on our return!

[matthias]

I wouldn't underestimate the shorter days in winter. I walked the track over Easter and it definitly had a big influence on my walk. Depending on the location of the campsite (e.g. in forests) it was sometimes dark by 5.30pm so I always tried to reach the campsite by 3pm to have enough time for setting up tent/changing clothes/cooking etc. I wish there would have been more time to go for a short walk after dinner sometimes.

[David Mitchell]

I echo Matthias' comments. We walked the Track 18-25 April just gone. We had a week of dry weather, preceded by some rain. Track was still quite muddy in places, which slows progress considerably. Available daylight hours are quite short - and shorter in June. On the two longer days we started before sunrise. Creeks and rivers were Ok but as I said we had a dry week. Beware of South Cape Rivulet - we arrived as tide was turning and once the sand bar is breached by incoming tide the crossing goes from knee to waist deep in 10 minutes.

[tasadam]

the crossing goes from knee to waist deep in 10 minutes.

Agreed, when I crossed in November 2008 the water was above my bum. Was higher the previous evening.
As Tassie winters are usually wet, I can imagine the mud being slushier, and possibly deeper too.
As well, the massive winter swells will present challenging waves crashing on the shore and it may be hard to proceed over some parts.
Other factors already covered (cold, wet, deep crossings, short days)
Might I also recommend you chat to the Parks ranger that looks after the S C track, they may have some good info and I have always found them willing to help.

[LetsGo]

thanks guys, all your comments are appreciated. we definitely do not under-estimate the short days (or any of the other issues when it comes to a tassy winter) but they wont be an issue for us. fingers crossed for a couple of dry days. i look forward to posting a blog and some pics on our return.

cheers.

[Penguin]

Have a great time. Looking forward to great sunrise/sunset shots.

P

[Michelle]

HI,thanks for your post I'm also planning on doing the south coast track late this June and had wondered about the same things, particularly the crossings. Think I'll contact the ranger too. Does anyone have any good suggestions for week or so long walks that are good in winter? ie not too impractical due to snow and weather?

Thanks

[Michelle]

Another question,

How are you planning to get to your starting point? Are you flying in/out of melaleuca or are you going from Scott's Peak Dam? (sorry if you already said that, scatty night shift brain at the moment! roll on 7am and home time!) My bf and I are wanting to go from Scott's Peak Dam to Cockle Creek. Don't know how to get to Scott's Peak dam coz the buses, provided by Tassie Link I guess, don't run in winter? (their time tables for bushwalking services were unavailable last time I checked but I'm guessing no winter service). Obviously no point driving as we wouldn't be able to get back to the car. We think we could hitch-hike out of Cockle creek to dover and get the tassie link school bus from Dover to hobart (where we live), but what about scott's peak dam?

Do you just have to get someone you know to drop you off? Any other options?

Thanks,
Michelle.

[LetsGo]

yeh transport is a tricky one in winter....especially if you don't have private transport organised, or someone who can pick you up at cockle creek. We are planning on flying into Melaleuca and walking out...this just means we can't be stuck in Melaleuca for days if the weather turns bad at the end. There are a few private charter/taxi services around that could probably pick you up from cockle creek...but they are normally pretty expensive