South West Cape Circuit and South Coast track

It is currently my favourite summer way to spend a fortnight. I have done this twice and could con=mfortably keep doing this every year.

South West Cape

I don't wish to compete with John Chapman but do wish to add my experiences to be read in conjunction with his book. I don't own the current edition but the old edition times for some sections particularly the South West Cape Range are pretty suspect. I had terrific weather, no wind, no problem and yet a 7 to 8 hour walk took me 12 hours and I do walk faster than most people. So Chappo - you are super human!

In terms of Tasmania's grat walks I have enjoyed this the most due to the stunning beach scenery. It is like walking the Wetern Arthurs without the hardship and with the coast as a regular feature.

Horsehoe Inlet to Noyheener Bay

I strongly recommend keeping to the shoreline of Horseshoe Inlet rather than braving scrubby button grass plains. We spoke to several other groups who averaged 16 hours to get to Noyhener beach - we took 8 hours to make the journey to Malaleuca. When horseshoe inlet reaches the Little Pascoe Range, a track which at times appears to be just for wombats takes you to the base of the Pascoe range. A diagonal ascent towards the north of the high point is the only way to avoid bush bashing. Contour around the south side of the main peak and then descend west to a ridge that becomes obvious after about 50 m of descent. The trail gets more obvious as you descend further.
The track across Hannant Creek was a little overgrown in Dec 2008 but the track up to the South West Cape Range is fairly obvious. Once on top, head North West between the two high points on the map and then descend to the north of the tree line of the tributary to Murgab Ck. From here route selection is needed to avoid too many ridges and also avoid too much scrub. A direct line is possible to get to the little ridge behind the sand dunes that mark the back of Noyhener beach. The idea is to locate a low ridge and then ascend gradually (north then cross a gully west and sharp ascent)to the main ridge behind the dunes.

Noyhener Beach campsite is found by crossing Murgab Ck from the dunes. There is a rope ladder and a path to several large sheltered tent sites. There was a handy couple of buckets here in 2007/2008 which were good for convenient washing.

Spain Bay

A great day walk from Noyheener. It is best to stay on the coastline and at Chatfield point after the west most point it is best to ascend and follow a rough track in the coastal scrub keeping close to the top of the cliffs until Stephen's bay can be reached. THe sand dunes don't meet up and so scrub bashing is needed if that route is taken. Once on Stephen's Bay there are some aboriginal middens that can be found around the sand blow outs full of abolone shell. Towards the north end of the bay a campsite can be located. Behind the campsite, a taped trail can be followed until the coastal scrub is left behind. This is a well worn trail and can be followed all the way to Spain Bay which is worth spending a few hours relaxing at.

Noyhener to Window Pane Bay

The first section is tricky as there is a need to chose a route above the cliff line that weaves in and out of the coastal scrub. This was tagged when I was there. 1