Winter overnight hikes

[InLike]

Hi all,

Looking for recommendations for overnight trips in late July. We have a small group, well equipped but with a range of experience.

Some snow is fine but we don't really want to be postholing and would rather avoid deep water crossings and anything above an easy scramble.

We're mainlanders so experience in Tassie is limited, but two of us handled the Mt Anne circuit last year with no bother in summer.

Thanks!

[north-north-west]

Depending on the snow, Black Bluff Range or Beecroft/Fourways from the Belvoir Rd would work. There's an official campsite near Bare Mtn on the former, but also some good spots further north where you can pitch in calm enough conditions, plus Paddys Lake. Fourways is a nice but small campsite that's reasonably sheltered. Both of those would be out-and-back although if you can organise a car shuffle you can drop down to Taylors from Paddys Lake and drive out.

For something completely different, the Tasman Coastal Track is great - some muddy patches but not the knee-deep stuff you get in the SW. Great views, good camping at Camp Creek, Bivouac Bay, signed side trip to Tatnells Hill and Lichen Hill from the crest, another to Waterfall Bluff from Camp Creek and also to Clemes Peak from a bit further south. And/or the Cape Pillar circuit, starting on the old inland track at Fortescue Bay; it's free (except for the Parks Pass) if you walk in that way and camp rather than use the huts. Usually done as an easy three day walk but can be completed in two with an early start. A lot of people keep the leg north of Fortescue Bay short by starting at the Waterfall Bay carpark, but there's a good track from the Arch with lots of lookouts and tourists (only adds an extra half hour or so).

A number of options at Mt Field, Lake St Clair, Walls, all over really, depending on the amount of snow around, although you should always carry microspikes for the higher country that time of year because the ice on the rocks can be treacherous.

[Son of a Beach]

Depending on the snow, Black Bluff Range or Beecroft/Fourways from the Belvoir Rd would work. There's an official campsite near Bare Mtn on the former, but also some good spots further north where you can pitch in calm enough conditions, plus Paddys Lake. Fourways is a nice but small campsite that's reasonably sheltered. Both of those would be out-and-back although if you can organise a car shuffle you can drop down to Taylors from Paddys Lake and drive out.

Fourways is also a good through-walk with a car shuffle from Pencil Pine (Cradle Mtn Lodge) back to Belvoir Lookout. It's a very short shuffle. In fact, if you order lunch at the lodge Tavern at the end of the track, then go get the car, you'll probably be back around the same time that the food gets to the table (I speak from experience). It also proved to be a fairly easy hitch hike another time I did it.

I don't fancy camping at Paddy's Lake in winter. I've had enough blizzards and general blasting winds there in summer. But YMMV.

[InLike]

Great - thank you both so much. Black Bluffs and Beecroft were not on my radar so looking closely into them now.

In fact, if you order lunch at the lodge Tavern at the end of the track, then go get the car, you'll probably be back around the same time that the food gets to the table (I speak from experience)

And tips like this are just the best.

[Tortoise]

Hey there InLike. When you say 'overnight', do you mean definitely only one night?

[InLike]

Yes - we only have the weekend