Federation Peak is a remote 1,225-metre quartzite mountain in Tasmania’s Eastern Arthur Range, reached from Farmhouse Creek through demanding wilderness terrain. The return journey involves muddy tracks, major creek crossings, steep climbing on Moss Ridge and prolonged exposure to rapidly changing alpine weather. Reaching Bechervaise Plateau is already a serious multi-day undertaking; the summit ascent beyond it is a separate technical climbing objective involving significant exposure. This route is suitable only for highly experienced, self-sufficient walkers with advanced remote-area skills.
Federation Peak rises to 1,225 metres in Tasmania’s Eastern Arthur Range, within Southwest National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Its distinctive quartzite summit is one of the most recognisable mountains in Tasmania, but its modest elevation gives little indication of the seriousness of the journey required to reach it.
This hike describes the return approach from Farmhouse Creek. The journey to Bechervaise Plateau is itself a demanding multi-day wilderness walk through remote country, involving muddy and poorly defined tracks, significant creek crossings, steep climbing and prolonged sections where progress can be slow. The ascent of Federation Peak beyond the main approach is a separate technical objective and should not be treated simply as the final section of the hike.
Current access
West Picton Road is currently closed before the Farmhouse Creek trackhead because of deteriorated road structures. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service advises that walkers must currently walk an additional 6.1 kilometres each way along West Picton Road to reach the Farmhouse Creek walking track.
The approximately 45-kilometre distance for this hike reflects the route from the Farmhouse Creek trackhead. While the road closure remains in place, the additional road walk increases the total journey by about 12.2 kilometres, making the trip approximately 57 kilometres return from the current parking area. Check current Parks and Wildlife Service alerts before departure, as access conditions can change.
Approaching Federation Peak
The Farmhouse Creek approach reaches Federation Peak from the east and provides a direct way into the Eastern Arthurs without completing the full Eastern Arthur Range Traverse. Direct does not mean easy. The route passes through mature rainforest, cutting grass, scrub and buttongrass plains before crossing the South Cracroft River and continuing through increasingly remote country towards Cutting Camp.
From Cutting Camp, the character of the journey changes significantly. Moss Ridge provides the main route towards Bechervaise Plateau and is steep, slippery and slow. The route climbs through thick forest, with rocky sections where pack hauling may be necessary. Water is limited along Moss Ridge, and walkers should not underestimate the time or effort required to move through this section.
Bechervaise Plateau provides tent platforms beneath Federation Peak and is an appropriate objective in its own right. From here, continuing towards the direct ascent involves steep and exposed terrain before the summit climb itself is reached.
Climbing Federation Peak
The ascent of Federation Peak should be considered separately from the hike to Bechervaise Plateau. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service describes the summit route as involving significant exposure and requiring technical climbing skills, and warns that a fall in this area is likely to be fatal.
Completing the approach to Federation Peak does not demonstrate that a walker has the skills required for the summit. Anyone considering continuing beyond Bechervaise Plateau should make an honest assessment of their technical climbing ability, experience on highly exposed terrain, confidence reversing difficult moves, judgement, fitness and the weather and rock conditions at the time.
The summit should never be assumed to be achievable simply because it forms part of the planned itinerary. Conditions may justify abandoning an attempt before it begins or turning around after starting. Federation Peak will still be there, and reaching Bechervaise Plateau safely remains a substantial wilderness journey.
History
Within the documented European record, surveyor James Sprent was the first westerner known to have noted the distinctive mountain, referring to it as “the Obelisk”. In 1901, explorer and prospector Thomas Bather Moore named it Federation Peak to commemorate the Federation of Australia.
For decades, the difficulty was not simply climbing the summit but finding a practical way through the surrounding wilderness. Members of the Hobart Walking Club made repeated attempts during the 1930s and 1940s, gradually improving knowledge of possible approaches. Aerial photography of Tasmania’s south-west in 1947 helped reveal more practical routes through country that was extraordinarily difficult to understand from beneath the forest canopy.
The first documented climbing ascent was completed in January 1949 by John Béchervaise, Fred Elliott, Bill Elliott and Alan Rogers during an 18-day Geelong College Exploration Society expedition. Their success built on years of exploration and earlier attempts by Tasmanian walkers. Federation Peak subsequently became an important objective in Australian bushwalking and climbing history, but the mountain and the country surrounding it remain as consequential as ever.
Read more at Federation Peak: A Mountain That Has Never Made It Easy.
Possible itinerary
A return journey from Farmhouse Creek is commonly spread across four or five days, although time requirements depend heavily on party experience, track conditions, river levels and weather. Do not build an itinerary that relies on reaching the summit on a particular day, and allow sufficient food and flexibility for delays or a decision not to attempt the summit.
- Day 1: Farmhouse Creek to South Cracroft River area.
- Day 2: South Cracroft River to Cutting Camp.
- Day 3: Cutting Camp to Bechervaise Plateau. Consider the Federation Peak ascent only if skills, conditions and available time make an attempt appropriate.
- Day 4: Bechervaise Plateau to South Cracroft River area.
- Day 5: South Cracroft River to Farmhouse Creek.
The current West Picton Road closure adds 6.1 kilometres of road walking to both the beginning and end of the journey and should be accounted for when planning daily distances and available daylight.
Walk notes
From the Farmhouse Creek trackhead, the route initially travels through mature rainforest and crosses Farmhouse Creek before climbing towards South Picton Saddle. The track passes through cutting grass, scrub and muddy terrain before descending towards the South Cracroft River. This section includes a substantial river crossing, and water levels can significantly affect whether it is safe to continue.
Tent platforms are located on the Farmhouse Creek side of the South Cracroft River. Parks and Wildlife Service notes that Crest Camp is the only campsite in this area not affected by flooding, an important consideration after prolonged or heavy rain.
Beyond South Cracroft River, the route towards Cutting Camp crosses numerous creeks and travels through scrubby forest and buttongrass plains. Following heavy rainfall, some creek crossings can become deep and dangerous, while alternative lines through the surrounding vegetation can be extremely muddy. Conditions in this section can substantially slow progress.
Cutting Camp is a basic campsite without tent platforms, located near the base of Moss Ridge on the south side of Cherry Creek. From here, Moss Ridge climbs steeply towards Bechervaise Plateau through thick forest. The route is steep and slippery, progress can be slow, and pack hauling may be necessary on some of the steeper rocky sections. There is very little water along this part of the route.
Bechervaise Plateau sits beneath Federation Peak and has tent platforms on its upper terrace. The plateau is an important staging point for both the return journey and for those appropriately skilled walkers considering an ascent of Federation Peak.
Beyond Bechervaise Plateau, the terrain becomes increasingly exposed as the route approaches the junction for the direct ascent. Steep rocky outcrops and exposed climbing must be negotiated even before the summit route itself is attempted. Walkers unfamiliar with this terrain should only travel through these exposed sections in clear conditions.
The direct ascent of Federation Peak is not included in Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Arthur Range Traverse walk notes. It requires technical climbing skills and involves terrain where the consequences of a fall are extreme. Do not rely on GPS tracks, cairns or the presence of other parties as substitutes for the skills required to assess and safely negotiate the terrain.
On the return journey, the same difficulties must be negotiated in reverse. Descending Moss Ridge can be as demanding as climbing it, and river and creek levels may have changed considerably while you have been in the range. Carry sufficient supplies to accommodate delays and be prepared to alter or abandon plans when conditions deteriorate.
This is a fuel-stove-only area. Campfires are prohibited. Walkers should minimise their impact on the fragile alpine and wilderness environment and use established campsites and tent platforms where provided.
