9-Day South Coast Track Walking Expedition from Hobart

The South Coast Track in Tasmania's remote South West is considered one of the best wilderness treks in Australia.

This eighty kilometer hike through World Heritage wilderness will take you through rainforest, along golden beaches, over coastal ranges and beside quiet lagoons. This magnificent journey is a wilderness experience for the serious adventurer!

The South Coast Track from Melaleuca in Tasmania's south-west corner to Cockle Creek on the edge of the settled south-east will take you on a magnificent journey through World Heritage wilderness. The South Coast track originally an escape route from Bathurst Harbour for shipwrecked sailors now an escape route from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

You will walk 10-15kms per day carrying packs up to 20kgs, no special skills are required other than good pack carrying fitness and a open flexible approach to being in remote areas for 9 days.

Your schedule includes one complete rest day and four to five half days to spend on side trips, fishing, swimming or just relaxing around the camp.

The proposed itinerary shown below is flexible enough to allow for extra stopovers in periods of bad weather and so should be considered a guide only.

Day 1: Today you have an early morning bus transfer from Hobart to the Cambridge aerodrome to join your flight by light aircraft to Melaleuca. After observing rare orange bellied parrots you walk to your camp by the wide beach at Cox Bight.

Day 2: Today you hike to secluded Louisa Bay, campsite of Aboriginal people for thousands of years.

Day 3: Morning to wander along Louisa Bay, then an afternoon walk to Louisa River where you camp at the foot of the Ironbound Range.

Day 4: Today is the hardest day. You climb steeply over the Ironbound Range (1,000m) rewarded by stunning views in fine weather. Camp in rainforest at Little Deadman's Bay on the other side. The halfway point food drop is nearby here.

Day 5: This is the full rest day on the tour. Takes place at Little Deadmans Bay where you can fish, swim, read a book and relax 

Day 6: Today is a rest day at Osmiridium Beach. You have the opportunity to spend the time fishing, swimming or relaxing.

Day 7: A short walk to Surprise Bay and then to Granite Beach where you can shower under the waterfall spilling onto the beach (no hot water here!).

Day 8: Another hard day's trek over the South Cape Range to your South Cape Rivulet campsite. Much of today's walk is through exquisite rainforest of myrtle, sassafras, laurel and leatherwood.

Day 9: You bid farewell to the South Coast and walk to Cockle Creek where your bus waits to take you back to Hobart, arriving around 4:30pm

Schedule details

Departure Point:

Pre-departure briefing at 2pm the day before at Passion Travel & Adventure Equipment Store, 119 Elizabeth St, Hobart

Departure Time:

• The expedition departs at 6:00am.

However, you need to be in Hobart at 2:00pm on the afternoon prior to departure for a full trip briefing. Please bring all your clothes and equipment to this meeting as it will be thoroughly checked by the guides.

Return Details:

The expedition concludes in Hobart at approximately 5:00pm on Day 9

Pricing information

Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Additional information

Inclusions:

• Experienced Guides
• Group camping equipment, including tents, sleeping mat, stoves, eating utensils and first aid kit
• Thermarest and Emergency Communication
• All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 9 (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
• 8 nights accommodation camping
• National Park fees
• Flights and ground transfers
• Bus back to Hobart from the end of the trail
• Australia's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions:

• Clothing and equipment, as listed under additional information (some equipment is available for hire at the start of the hike)

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Maximum group size of 10 passengers on this hike, with 1 guide for every 5 passengers.
• Trip Grading: Challenging Challenging Walking - carrying a heavy backpack 18-20 kg (40-45 pounds), some outdoor experience necessary for this category, some steep uphill terrain.
• Weather: The above itinerary should be seen as a guide only. Even in summer, South-West Tasmania can provide very bad weather conditions so that you must be prepared for the very worst. As such, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances may cause the content of the trip to be altered or delayed. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount at all times.
• Trip Prerequisites: As you will be covering an average of 10 to 12 kilometers (6 to 8 miles) per day, over varying and often arduous terrain on a track that is sometimes muddy and steep, a high level of general fitness with previous back-packing experience is essential. The area is subject to bad weather, even at the height of summer, and Tasmanian Expeditions will always travel prepared for it.
• The operator arranges a food drop halfway along the track, so at most you will be carrying provisions for 4 days. The maximum load you will carry will be approximately 20kg. This will of course reduce rapidly as food is consumed.
• You must be able to carry the back pack on your own as assistance can not be provided.
• Health and Fitness Requirements:  As with most activities, the fitter you are prior to departure, the more you will enjoy the trip. However, the majority of the trip only require you to be in reasonably good health.
•  Guides do have the ultimate say in whether or not a person is able to partake in an activity and if they feel that the person or other persons are put at risk, then they have the right to make alternative arrangements. If you have any doubts please contact us
• Gear List - What to Bring Your trip includes all group camping and cooking equipment, including tents, stoves and of course the food. The following lists set out all extra equipment and the clothing required for the trip. Several of the following items are available for hire in Tasmania .Please Note: The need to bring woolen or equivalent thermal clothing (chlorofibre, polypropylene or fibrepile) rather than cottons (e.g. jeans, wind cheaters) is emphasized because of their ability to better retain warmth, even when damp.
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket with hood, preferably mid-thigh length, Goretex, milair, japara or similar 
• Waterproof over-trousers. A zip to enable putting them on over boots is a great advantage
• Thermal / woolen undershirt - essential
• Thermal Long Johns - essential
• 2 T-shirts (for the warm days)
• 1 pair shorts
• 1 long sleeve wool / thermal shirt
• 1 woolen jumper (sweater) or fiber pile jacket (If you wear wool, two lightweight jumpers (sweaters) are better than one heavy one)
• 3 - 4 pairs woolen socks
• 1 pair knee length gaiters (H)
• 1 pair of trousers (Thermal or flannel wool are light yet warm)
• 1 pair thermal / woolen gloves
• 1 woolen or silk hat or balaclava
• 1 sun-hat (crushable)
• Hand / face towel
• Pyjamas (Second set of thermal underwear is recommended)
• Underwear and personal toiletries as required but remember you will have to carry them (Tasmanian Expeditions carry no soaps or detergents, as these can destroy delicate aquatic ecosystems)
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Footwear

Ideal footwear is a pair of sturdy medium weight boots for the track and sandshoes for around the campsite. Walking in sand-shoes is strongly discouraged as the track is often wet, muddy and slippery. Boots should always be well worn in and can be waterproofed beforehand with 3 - 4 coats of 'sno-seal'.

Other Equipment

• Sleeping Bag, rated to 3 season or warmer, down filling is best)
• Sleeping bag inner sheet
• Rucksack, large enough to hold seven days food and equipment (70 - 75 liters minimum capacity) 
• Lightweight torch, with spare batteries and bulb
• Whistle (for use in poor visibility)
• Water bottle, light with one liter capacity
• 2 heavy weight plastic garbage bags (for waterproofing clothing and sleeping bag and food. E.g. heavy duty orange garden garbage bags)
• Personal first aid (the guides will carry a comprehensive group kit). You should carry some plaster tape such as leukoplast to prevent blisters, sun protection (blockout) and some non-aerosol insect repellent (e.g. Muskol). Also carry any special requirements.
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Optional Equipment

• Sunglasses
• Camera and film
• Fishing Line (hand line with spare hooks)
• Maps of the area
• A good book
• Small musical instrument
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers

IMPORTANT:

• Please advise if you have any medical conditions (e.g. pregnancy, asthma, etc.)
• Please advise if you have any special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian)
• Children aged 15 years and under are not permitted on this trip.
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Itinerary:

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.