The Mount Anne Circuit is a 35km, grade 5 circuit hike located in Southwest National Park, Tasmania. The hike should take around 3-4 days to complete.
Warning
This circuit is classified as a Grade 5 walk. It is suitable for very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation, emergency first aid and experience with heights and challenging rock scrambling. The track is rough and steep, and regularly affected by severe weather conditions and walkers should be prepared to turn around or allow extra days. All walkers should come prepared with a personal locator beacon (PLB).
Hike overview
The Mount Anne Circuit is a challenging and rewarding multi-day hike located in the Southwest National Park of Tasmania. The circuit takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the park, including towering mountains, alpine lakes, and vast buttongrass plains. The circuit is approximately 34 kilometres long and can be completed in 4-5 days. The hike is graded as a Grade 5, meaning it is suitable for very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation, emergency first aid and experience with heights and challenging rock scrambling.
The circuit begins at the Condominium Creek car park and follows the Mount Anne track to the summit of Mount Anne, the highest peak in the Southwest National Park. From the summit, hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. The circuit then continues to Lake Judd, a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains. From Lake Judd, the circuit follows the Judd Creek track to the Farmhouse Creek track. The Farmhouse Creek track leads back to the Condominium Creek car park.
The Mount Anne Circuit is a challenging hike, but it is also an incredibly rewarding one. Hikers who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery in Tasmania. If you are planning to hike the Mount Anne Circuit, it is important to be well-prepared. The weather in the Southwest National Park can change quickly, so it is important to pack for all conditions. It is also important to be aware of the risks of hiking in remote areas, such as snakebite and hypothermia.
If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding hike, the Mount Anne Circuit is a great option. The circuit offers stunning scenery and a true wilderness experience.
Day 1 - Condominium Creek to High Camp€‹
3.6km, 2 - 3 hours€‹
From the beginning of this track, walkers are warned that it is not for the inexperienced or fainthearted. From Condominium Creek it is a steep and challenging 900 metre climb to High Camp. High Camp facilities include a hut for emergency shelter, a toilet and€‹ tent sites 150 metres to the west. There is also a water tank. It is highly recommended walkers stock up as water sources are limited until Lonely Tarns Campsite. €‹Walkers have the option of camping at High Camp overnight or continuing on to Shelf Camp.
Day 2 - High Camp to She€‹lf Camp
3.1km, 2 - 3 hours
€‹€‹This section of the track is highly exposed and requires navigation by map and compass and rock scrambling over large boulder fields. Walkers will need to scramble up the boulderfield above High Camp to reach Mount Eliza (1289m).
T€‹€‹he track continues across the Eliza Plateau and over boulder fields to the west of Eve Peak (1388m) where a track junction will allow you to either summit Mount Anne (1413m) or continue on to Shelf Camp.€‹ Shelf Camp is exposed, and on a rock slab. Walkers should have a self supporting tent and secure with rocks where possible. This site is sheltered to the South-West but is extremely exposed to the North-East, (tents and equipment have been destroyed here in bad weather, plan accordingly). There is a toilet pod and the maximum stay is 3 nights.
Day 2 or Day 3 sid€‹€‹e trip€‹€‹€‹€‹ - Mount Anne Summit
2km, 2 hours return
Summiting Mount Anne should not be attempted when visibility and weather conditions are poor. Walkers should have experience with heights and challenging rock scrambling. The route is extremely exposed and can pose a serious threat to walker safety. Walkers may require a safety line for this part of the track. Standing at 1413 metres tall, and being the highest mountain in the Southwest National Park, it rewards you with sweeping 360 degree views of the stunning Southwest National Park. €‹
Day 3 - Shel€‹f Camp to Lonely Tarn
3km, 4.5 - 6.5 hours
The extreme weather conditions make this section of the track extremely difficult. Water is scarce along this section of the track. Walker should expect boulder hopping and be experienced in navigating heights. Pack hauling is likely when walkers reach The Notch and walkers should carry approximately 15m of rope.
Walkers will then continue to the Lonely Tarns campsite. The site has tent platforms with anchoring chains and a toilet pod. Maximum stay is 3 nights.
Day 4 - Lonely Tarns to€‹ Red Tape Creek
€‹12km, 4.5 - €‹7 hours€‹
From Lonely Tarns to Sarah Jane Plateau, walkers will encounter a mixture of planking, rock slabs and muddy sections. The descent to Red Tape Creek has extensive planking and bridges to protect the vulnerable surrounds. Walkers will need to organise a car shuffle or walk the remaining 8km along Scotts Peak Road to the Condominium€‹€‹ Creek carpark.
Walkers wishing to undertake a side trip to the shores of Lake Judd will need to detour off the main track at €‹the Anne River crossing.
Day 4 sid€‹€‹e trip - Lake Judd
€‹2.2km, 1.5 hours return€‹€‹€‹
€‹At the Anne River track junction, walkers need to detour off the Mount Anne track and join the Lake Judd Track. From the junction, it is a 30-45 minute walk to reach the waters edge. There are campsites available for those wishing to spend an extra night by the lake, they can be found near the lake outlet. There are no toilet facilities and walkers will need to follow the Leave No Trace€‹ principles.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 1360 m
Min elevation: 319 m
Total climbing: 2068 m
Total descent: -2068 m
Tips
- The region is subject to extreme, unexpected weather changes.
- Be prepared for all weather conditions regardless of the forecast €“ extreme winds and snow events are common, even in summer.
- The final summit climb to Mount Anne is exposed and requires good scrambling skills with significant height exposure.
- Walkers will need to organise a car shuffle or walk the remaining 8km along Scotts Peak Road to the Condominium€‹€‹ Creek carpark.
Trail location
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Getting there
From Hobart, follow the Lyell Highway towards New Norfolk, then transition onto the Strathgordon/Lake Pedder Road. Continuing past Maydena, take a left turn onto the Scotts Peak Road, located roughly midway between Maydena and Strathgordon. Stay on this road for approximately 20 kilometers until you reach the designated Mount Anne Carpark, clearly indicated at Condiminium Creek.
About the region
Tasmania's largest expanse of wilderness is located in Southwest National Park €“ a remote and rugged landscape in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Home to majestic Huon pine, sassafras, celery top and myrtle, the region is awash with the distinctive fragrances of the Tasmanian forest.
The Gordon River Road is a narrow ribbon through the largely untracked region of forests, imposing mountain ranges and buttongrass plains, providing access to the vast expanses of Lake Pedder and Lake Go€‹rdon.
In Southwest Nationa€‹l Park, you'll find one of Tasmania's €‹most challenging wilderness walks, the multi-day South Coast Track. There are also endless shorter walks to take you up and over mountains and out to the coast. For a real €˜ends-of-the-Earth' experience, travel to Australia's southernmost point accessible by road, Cockle Creek, where a day walk to South Cape Bay allows walkers to immerse themselves in the raw power of this wilderness landscape.
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Gear to consider
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.