The Western Arthur Range Traverse is a challenging 77km, grade 5 circuit that traverses the Arthur Range in the Southwest National Park, Tasmania. The hike takes approximately 9-10 days to complete.
Warning
This walk is for physically capable and highly experienced walkers who are confident with navigation, cliffs and rock scrambling, pack hauling and extreme weather. Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.
Hike overview
The Western Arthur Range Traverse is a full traverse of the Western Arthur Range. To traverse the rugged Western Arthur Range is considered a major bushwalking challenge and has been undertaken regularly by experienced bushwalkers since the 1960s. Located in Southwest National Park, and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), the 69 kilometre Western Arthur Range Traverse covers extensive, rugged topography and funnels walkers through narrow corridors throughout much of the range.
The landscape that contributes to the area's World Heritage values is made up of steep slopes, alpine moorlands and glacial lakes. The ranges are a geological delight, composed almost exclusively of ​​deformed Precambrian quartzite and quartz schist. Walkers will mainly journey through alpine heath and alpine scrub vegetation. Elsewhere, buttongrass heath is widespread and scrub, wet forest and patches of rainforest occur on the lower slopes.
A shorter version of this walk, the Western Arthurs Traverse A-K, can be experienced from Alpha Moraine to Kappa Moraine in 6 to 7 days. Those only wishing to walk into Lake Cygnus or Lake Oberon and back will need to set aside 3 to 4 days. ​Walkers will need to register for each of these options.​
The challenges of the walk are not to be underestimated, and should be completed only by walkers with significant experience in remote, alpine conditions. The Western Arthur Range Traverse is a Grade 5 walk​ suited to very experienced walkers. The rough and challenging terrain can make short distances into an all-day event and walkers new to the traverse should allow plenty of time to cover the route. The walk can be significantly impacted by weather conditions, and walkers should be prepared to turn back if they find the weather or the conditions too challen​ging. All walkers should come prepared with a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).​​​
Possible side trips
Possible side trips (with suggested time) include:
- Lake Fortuna (between Junction Creek and Lake Cygnus) – 800 m / 40 minutes round trip
- Mount Hayes (between Lake Cygnus and Lake Oberon) – 600 m / 40 minutes round trip
- Mount Sirus (between Lake Cygnus and Lake Oberon) – 800 m / 30 minutes round trip
- Mount Orion (between Lake Cygnus and Lake Oberon) – 800 m / 40 minutes round trip
- Dorado Peak (between Lake Oberon and High Moor) – 1.2 km / 2 hrs return
- Mount Columba (between Lake Oberon and High Moor) – 500 m / 15 minutes round trip
- Mount Aldebaran (between High Moor and Haven Lake) – 2.2 km / 2-3 hours round trip
- Mount Scorpio (between Haven Lake and Kappa Moraine Junction) – 100 m / 10 min return.
- Carina Peak (between Moraine K and Promontory Lake) – 1.4 km / 1-hour round trip
- West Portal (between Promontory Lake and Lake Rosanne) – 800 m / 40 min return.
Campsites
While camping is permitted anywhere along the Traverse, to lessen your impact on a sensitive environment, it is recommended you plan to stay at the following campsites.
- Huon Campground: Trailhead near Scotts Peak Dam.
- Junction Creek: Sheltered forest area with with pit toilet and a couple of good areas for camping. This campsite can be crowded as it is used by hikers undertaking the Western Arthurs Traverse, the Port Davey Track, the South Coast Track, and the McKay Track.
- Moraine A Camp: Overused couple of tent sites with reliable water at the base of Moraine A.
- Lake Cygnus: Campsite with pit toilet near Lake Cygnus with four wooden platforms.
- Lake Oberon: Campsite with pit toilet near Lake Oberon with four platforms. Camping off the platforms is possible.
- High Moor: Exposed area with pit toilet, wooden platforms and tent sites. Water can be unreliable.
- Haven Lake: Campsite with pit toilet on the southern shore of the lake with wooden platforms east of the lake.
- Lake Vesta: Sheltered campsites on the north-east of the lake.
- Promontory Lake: A poorly sheltered camping area at the south-east corner of the lake.
- Lake Rosanne: Sheltered campsites can be found behind the sandy beach.
- Cracroft Crossing: Dry, flat campsites near the junction at the edge of the forest.
Registration
Hikers are required to register prior to departing for the Western Arthurs. There are a maximum of twelve people permitted to depart each day and you're limited to spending ​a maximum of three nights on the track. When staying at Vera and Tahune Hut sites, you are required to move on to the next campsite the following day.
Multi-day walks - safety message
It is essential that you are adequately equipped before embarking on the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse. In addition to the items listed for day walks you will need at a minimum: a large waterproof backpack and pack liner, tent (3-4 season rated with inner and outer layer), sleeping bag (rated to at least 0°C for coastal areas and -10°C for alpine areas), sleeping mat, hiking boots, gaiters, fuel stove and fuel, high-energy food, quick-dry walking clothes, toilet trowel, antibacterial gel, PLB (personal locator beacon), map and compass.
Route and GPX file
The GPX file is provided as a rough guide only. You will need to prepare adequately for this hike by studding and carrying topographic maps.
Max elevation: 1109 m
Min elevation: 144 m
Total climbing: 4377 m
Total descent: -4377 m
Trail features
- Rough Trail
- Undefined Trail
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Alpine Region
- Exposed Ledges
- Rock Scrambling
- Steep Terrain
- Off Trail
- River Crossings
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Untreated Water
- Swimming Spots
- Overnight Campsites
Tips
- Walkers are required to register for this walk, in addition to completing the logbook at the trailhead.
- Facilities on the track are limited, but there are toilets, parking, water and other amenities available at the Huon Campground. There are additional toilets available at Junction Creek, Lake Cygnus, Lake Oberon, High Moor and Haven Lake.
- A maximum of 12 independent walkers can depart on any given day, register early to avoid missing out. The recommended group size on this track is 6, with a maximum of 8. If you are walking in a larger group, please stagger your departure times by 15 minutes to limit overcrowding on tracks.
- There are no huts along this track. Several of the campsites have tent platforms installed to avoid damage to the sensitive alpine vegetation.
- You may need to carry 20m of climbing rope to haul packs up steep sections of track.
- Expect a lot of mud, plenty of leeches
- Outside the designated campsites (wooden platforms), there are very few places you are able to pitch a tent
- The circuit involves a lot of rock scrambling and near vertical faces where ropes could come in handy (especially for hauling packs).
- Fires are NOT permitted anywhere in the Western Arthur Range so make sure you take appropriate fuel for cooking.
- Please observe all track signs – they are provided for your safety. Stay on the formed walking tracks at all times – both for your own safety and to protect the sensitive alpine region.
- Weather conditions in Tasmania can change quickly and frequently, especially in alpine areas. Snow, rain, wind and sun are all possible at any time of the year, and bushfires can occur between October and March.
Trail location
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Getting there
The start of the Western Arthur Range Traverse is at Huon Campground at the southern end of Lake Pedder at Scotts Peak Dam. The best way to get to the trailhead is by car. You could always get part of the way there by bus, but at some point you'll need to find an alternative mode of transport such as hitchhiking. The trailhead is located approximately 36 km along Scotts Peak Road from the Gordon River Road. Fuel is not available past Maydena and phone reception is patchy.
Public transport is not available along the Scotts​ Peak Road.
Access conditions
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Entry Fee
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Camping Area
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.
Southwest National Park is vast, wild and spectacular. Rocky coastline, windswept beaches, dramatic mountain ranges, deep harbours and extensive buttongrass plains are home to unique plant and animal species.
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Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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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.
3 Reviews on “Western Arthur Range Traverse Hike (77km)”
Laura Purcell
Andrew Mackenzie
Mani Andreetta this one’s next for you
Lynda Maddison I’d love to do this but think it’s too risky for me – so weather dependant, requiring pack hauling, climbing preciptious rock faces etc.
Mani Andreetta I think you can do it
This is the best hike I’ve done in Australia….
Absolutely love this adventure. As you can see, the weather was amazing and the scenery spectacular (the mountains beyond my wife were pretty good too). We were extremely fortunate.