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 . 12 November 2009. After a gargantuan struggle the tracks from Alma to Spellman's bridge have all be cleared after the severe damage of the winter and spring. There will still be rough sections where landslides have to be repaired, and a few small logs. The work on the routes south of Spellman's has started but it will be at least two months before all the listed routes are open, and the through route to Anderson's Road and beyond may never be completely cleared again. There are simply not enough volunteers to do it all.
However I can report that Rod Davey is doing a splendid job looking after the section from Alma to Shoestring crossing. Fred Groenier has done a power of work helping clear the track, and Chris Dennis did a long day with us yesterday from Groove Creek to Spellman's, also providing a pretty good cake.
The new East Wilmot route south of Ellis Flats Road is completed to rough bushwalker standard. You need to be able to scramble over rocks and ford the river for this.
The Bird Family have agreed to allow walkers limited access to the paddocks at Walters Flats which they call South Valley. This means that you can continue on along the west back at low level avoiding the steep bypass at Platypus Pool. Walkers should walk quietly through the property.The owners do not want large parties trampling over the place -especially in wet conditions in winter. ( You may note however that trail bikes invade the property and rip it up badly!) If you want to stop in the area use the river reserve at the southern end of the Flats.
A walk for Spring
New East Bank route Try the East Bank track south of Ellis Flats Road. Quickest Access is from Knight's Road(signposted), off the Wilmot road beyond the top of Gentle Annie hill .Park at the first gate or drive down with care if you have a 4WD vehicle. Leave all gates as found. Start just before the locked gate to the property on Ellis flats, and go down the track to the south of the car park, just opposite the track to East Ellis Shelter(signposted)
The track is easy as far as a crossing to the river reserve at South Walters Flats, featuring manfern flats and river views. It continues over steep rough ground to a series of steep rocks opposite the south end of Walters flat - beaut swimming pools. The rocks are easily negotiated in low water. It then crosses a log jam and goes over a small creek and along a flat before climbing over a low saddle and steeply back to the river.Descend with care. Continue south along the bank to a marked crossing which will take you to the big Osbert Overnight Shelter. This crossing is thigh deep in places at present and the rocks are slimy.Return via the Dooley track on the west back and ford river again at South Walters or continue on to East Ellis crossing. Allow 4-5 hours for the circuit.
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 opened for the 2009-2010 season on 3 October. Its open 7 days from 11 to 4 pm
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.
 Wilmot River Walks North... |
| Wilmot River Walks. South |
| Robin's Nest B and B |
| Lake Barrington Garden Cafe |
| Hobart Walking Club |
| North West walking Club |
| Wildcare Tasmania |
| Bushwalk Tasmania |
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