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Wilmot River Walks Homepage
Disclaimer. All walks undertaken on the routes listed here are entirely at individuals own risk. Falling tree limbs and unstable rocks are among the greatest hazards.
The Wilmot River valley near Devonport, Tasmania is being opened up for public walking by a range of volunteer groups , Forestry Tasmania and other landowners. The old prospecting track cut by James Dooley in 1859 has been restored in many places. There are seven walks listed to date, ranging from easy to demanding.
The State Library of Tasmania has several copies of a cd listing the walks, and giving a brief history of the Dooley Track.It will run on pcs with recent editions of MS Office.
Current developments on the track 25 April 2009 Due to the heavy rains at the end of April the Gold River bridge has been removed for the season.Thanks to Jerry and Fred for a heroic effort in the rain and gloom of Friday last. It will be erected again in late October unless it is superceded by concrete lilypads.I have secured the decking high on the bank wired to trees to stop it washing down stream as has happened twice in the past!
The crossings are currently under water and will often be inundated until next summer.
I have cleared the Murray by-pass track which was over grown in places.The next job is to check the Dooley track through to Ellis Flats( North Valley). The owners of Ellis and Walters Flats want us to refer to them by the names they have adopted - North and South Valley.They have lots of problems with trail bikes descending from the Sprent forest roads and vandalising their property and deserve our support.
I will be in Europe from June to mid August but the Wilmot team are going to help maintain the tracks.You are all welcome to do a bit to help them! The tracks are entirely dependent on volunteers to keep them in good order.
Jerry and Family have postponed their departure to Novia Scotia until September. He has planned a great programme of works before he leaves- signage along Lucy's track, Farmer's Creek to Spellmans, and Castra Rivulet: concrete crossing pads at South Valley(Walter's Flats)and the Gold River bridge: completion of the ramps at the Big Rock north of Spellman's and perhaps another shelter.Possible shelter sites are Winterbrook carpark, Lea river crossing or Castra Rivulet area.
A walk for autumn and winter
The Warrawee reserve on the Mersey south of Latrobe is well worth a visit.The Green Corps and Forestry commisioned Jerry Kreger to open up a new Shale Trail. It starts at the car park near the gate to Warrawee reserve, and features the old Latrobe reservoir, a Shale mine tramway and various relicts of the Shale oil industry. Fine shelters have been erected at the beginning of the Shale trail and on the banks of Lake Hedditch (Middle Pond)at Warrawee picnic area.The walks are well mapped and signposted.
There is another walk along the river south of the Picnic ground which is not on their maps. It starts just across the Fern Gully creek and goes along the river for a couple of kms before zig zagging steeply on to a ridge which eventually rejoins the main track above the Fern Gully. Its popular with fishermen and walkers, even runners. I look after it.
Due to the disastrous fire two years ago , lit by a local vandal , many trees are unsafe and the rocky area on the river bank south of the picnic ground is awaiting repair. Take all care and avoid the area in high winds or floods.
Attractions in the Wilmot area
Visit the friendly and delightful Lake Barrington Garden Cafe and the Forth Falls walk .Take your kayak on the lake and paddle under the bottom fall .There is a link to the cafe website on this page.The cafe is closed for the winter on 5 April
The Old Bakery in Wilmot village, and the Wilmot Hills Vineyard and Winery on the Back Road above Spellmans Bridge are also well worth a visit.
The Wilmot Museum in an old church in the village features local history and information.
I have been asked for track notes on the Minnow Falls behind Mt Roland
so here they are!
Minnow Falls walks. Map Gog 1:25000.These are splendid routes on the Paradise escarpment of Mount Roland which were initially found by Fred Groenier. I have improved the routes over the years. The falls are at their best after heavy rain, but the rocks are more slippery then!There are three main falls and a good strenous but easy return walk can be made to the lower fall. To climb up to the middle and top falls involves steep rough walking with ropes in three places to assist on short slabs.It is best to do a traverse over to Claude Road using the old tourist track to the top Minnow fall, and a car shuttle.
The walk starts on Belstone road in the Paradise Plantation. To get here take Claude Road out of Sheffield, then turn left along Union Bridge road to Paradise. Just after the last farm in Paradise, marked by a religious sign, turn right along Dolly Bush link, then down Short Spur link to join Belstone road( you can also go directly to Belsone road by fording the river near the old picnic ground if its low)About 1.5 km along Belstone road look for a parking spot with tapes, cairn and little wooden sign( these are subject to removal by vandals)Grid ref GOG 445078.Follow the tapes through the new plantation. At a junction go straight ahead uphill on an old 4wd track. Keep on this until you come to an old quarry.The Middle and Top Falls can be seen from this road,especially when in flood(see picture in gallery) The bush track goes up from the quarry in open forest, quite steep in parts, with a few logs to navigate. When you reach the bottom of the cliffs turn sharp left and follow a pleasant route through mature teatree meandering along below the cliffs. You will reach a gully with a small creek, often dry, descend slightly then traverse along again. The route is well marked. As you approach the Minnow river the route descends again and is rougher as you approach the bottom fall.The falls make a good lunch spot with a deep pool at their base.For the short walk return by same route.
The route to the Middle Falls and the top of the escarpment starts just before the first fall and goes steeply up a little creek bed, before escaping on to easier ground. Then there is a steep little slab below a tree which has a rope to assist. I will make a ladder here next winter. After this you enter a cave and emerge through a hole on to a ridge. This is great fun, Fred did well to find it.To view the Middle Fall turn left down the ridge to a platform lookout, a superb spot, with the fall behind you and a vista over the Minnow valley and Tiers. Go back up the ridge past the cave and continue steeply up towards the escarpment. Two more roped sections await before you enter the sublime Paradise Gully, a cool rain forest retreat. Leave the gully near the top - steeply to the left- and enter open teatree which can be followed to the Minnow river above the top falls. There is another good lookout here, turn left just as you approach the river to access it.
After crossing the Minnow ,pick up the tourist track which connects to the Mt Roland track.This can be choked with bauera in places near the falls. At the junction turn left and then downhill at the saddle for Claude Road.
A text edition of Wilmot River Walks North and South follows on Page 2 and 3 of this site. The cd edition with maps is available from State Library of Tasmania.
Robin's Nest B and B
Lake Barrington Garden Cafe
Hobart Walking Club
North West walking Club
Wildcare Tasmania
Bushwalk Tasmania
Send E-Mail to: billswilmotwalks@live.com.au
Copyright © 2007 Bill Shepherd. All Rights Reserved