Southwest Tas walker transport options

[CKM]

Could I encourage people to share their wisdom here on this generic topic about options for walkers' transport to and from the Southwest (Scotts Peak Dam, Farmhouse Creek etc.)?

There are various older bits and pieces in various posts, but it might be helpful to collate any helpful information under this topic. My own interest is transport options to Farmhouse Creek on 27/1/23 early, and from Scotts Peak on 9/2/23. Any advice would be welcome.

[farefam]

As a regular visitor from interstate I had the same problem when I was planning a recent trip, but as I ended up having to cancel my holiday only 6 days in due to an injury, the point unfortunately became moot.

The main service I found was Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences, which do advertise a service to and from Hobart to Farmhouse Creek. The cost of $135 per person is for 4 people or more. If the numbers are less than that, the cost per person rises accordingly. Given the cost of fuel, maintainance, overheads and salary, the overall charge is quite fair and reasonable in my opinion.

Unfortunately, hardly anyone seems to use that service to or from Farmhouse Creek anymore. There was only one booking for early Jan (a 3 person group exiting from Farmhouse). My schedule was flexible so I changed it to go from Hobart to Farmhouse on that date,. Since the bus would have to run anyway, the operator kindly offered me the $135 rate, even though I would be alone for the trip in, since he would have 3 for the trip back. Otherwise I would have had to pay the full rate to go in. When I then had to unfortunately cancel my paid booking, the operator kindly fully and promptly refunded my money. I can only praise the service and help I received from Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences.

The main problem with going in and out via Farmhouse is that the road is now closed further back, which adds about 8 extra kilometres one way to the walk in.

That probably explains the lack of bookings in Jan Feb or Mar when I last looked. Currently there is one person booked in on Jan 27 (which I assume is you), otherwise the only other bookings are 6 out on Jan 9, 2 out on Jan 11 and 1 out on Jan 30. No Farmhouse bookings either way for Feb.

I assume most interstate people would now walk in and out to Fed Peak from Scotts Peak, as there are more bookings to that location, as it also services Mt Anne, Western Arthurs and the Port Davey tracks. Going to Fed Peak from Scotts Peak is a longer walk, but it is a much more scenic trip in my opinion. And walking back the same way does have the advantage of giving you two opportunities at getting views along the way.

Unfortunately there is currently no taxi service operating out of Geeveston. You could catch a bus from Hobart to Huonville and then get a taxi from there, but that will also be very expensive, given the distance involved.

As there is more traffic (fishers, tourists etc) hitching is an option to and from Scotts Peak in summer, but good luck with that. I find Australians are reluctant to give lifts these days, even walking the roadside with a pack on your back.

If you want to be in and out on particular dates, unfortunately there is probably no choice but to suck it up and pay whatever price you have to pay to the tourist transport operators. Given inflation, high fuel costs and the difficulties with hiring and retaining staff, it is fortunate that there are still a few of them even operating today, whereas back in the 90's there used to be a scheduled service to Scotts Peak. Tasmania unfortunately is poorly serviced for bushwalker transport compared to NZ.

Even at full cost, rather than a shared rate, IMHO the priceless value of your experience out there in the southwest will still be worth far more than the dollars spent!!!

[CBee]

Uber car share.

[JamesMc]

Our party of four used Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences to exit from Farmhouse Ck last Friday. We planned to exit on Saturday but sent them a text on Thursday asking them to change the date. It seemed a pretty good service to me.

The 7.5 km road bash out from the end of the track is not ideal but I didn't find it as bad as the similar distance from Junction Ck to the Scotts Peak Road!

[CKM]

A definite thumbs up for Kevin Lempa and Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences. But Kevin is thinking of selling up.

Another option we discovered by accident a couple of weeks back was a gentleman called Michael Dowd who has a big car that takes four people plus packs. He took us from Hobart to the airport when we booked an Uber. He does Uber work but also takes private bookings. I recommend him from Hobart to wherever you want to go. He is more reluctant about pickups in distant places because people may not turn up, but if you pay up front he will accommodate. All for less than the price of an Uber. I don't guarantee him, because we only had one experience but he seemed affable and keen to offer a good service. Details for contacting him are:

Michael Dowd, email him at melbarant at aapt dot net dot au and his phone is 0497 391 552

[Son of a Beach]

(Not sure I'd be happy having my email address posted on a public web page like that. May be worth editing the post to obscure it a bit. Eg, "melbarant at aapt dot ..." etc. That is likely to be picked up by spambots and increase his spam intake somewhat.)

[mountainhigh]

I plan to walk the Wilmont and Frankland ranges in late December 2025.

My car will be with me at Scotts Peak Dam as I finish other walks in the area.

I wonder if another/others might be interested in arranging a car shuffle so that a car is available to the trailhead and also afterwards at Scotts Peak Dam.

How did you get to the trailhead at Serpentine Dam?

I guess I could drive my pack to the trailhead, return to Scotts Peak with my car, and attempt to hitch back to the trailhead.

Do you have any suggestions or links to Facebook groups, etc, for arranging transport logistics with other adventurers?

I could try TWE to see if they will be in the Scotts Peak area around a date to suit my plans.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your next adventure!

[north-north-west]

They're tracks, not trails and there's no track beyond Sprent. Some pads and cairns but it's mostly cross country.

If you want a ride from Scotts Peak Rd to Serpentine Dam, I can do it if you cover the cost of fuel.
There are a number of Tasmanian bushwalk groups on FB; you can try posting in those.

[mountainhigh]

Thanks, NNW. That's really generous! I might see if you're available closer to December.

I was just investigating cycling the 90km from Scotts Peak Dam, but that may not be the best activity immediately before such a substantial bushwalk, not to mention how traffic can fly along the narrow Gordon River Road.

... tracks, not trails ... it's mostly cross country.

I've been studying the route for years, including some of the excellent threads in this forum, like https://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3571

I understand that a good weather window is essential, particularly with how this range is exposed to the roaring forties.

Rockmonkey has a wonderful post, including a paddle to the foot of Termial Peak. Given that I'll have my vehicle this trip, I'm thinking of bringing some additional gear to add aquatic elements to my adventure and remove long trudges around the impoundment.

[north-north-west]

Having a paddle option does make it easier. The final leg depends on water level and exactly where you drop off the range. Some will go down from Frankland Peak and possibly add a sidetrip to Secheron. Most go via Right Angle, Giblin and Jim Brown, because getting off Secheron and down to Lloyd Jones is seriously gnarly - ropes or really nasty scrub.

I can give you more detail on parts of the traverse, but it needs to be via PM; this definitely qualifies as sensitive off-track terrain.

[JamesMc]

Earlier this year we used TWE to drop us at Serpentine Dam and collect us at the turnoff to the BOM station below Red Knoll. They charge somewhat more for Serpentine Dam than for the Scotts Peak end, but it worked out tolerably because the cost was shared with someone going down the Scotts Peak Road.

What I'd really like is a boat to drop a party below Terminal Peak to avoid the trudge around the lake.

[mountainhigh]

Thanks, NNW. I have a packraft, so I'm considering borrowing another vessel to paddle the packed raft out and stow it in a location to meet up with when I leave the range.

Of course, that relies on descent plans not changing (as they sometimes do) on an extended walk.

... getting off Secheron and down to Lloyd Jones is seriously gnarly ...

From the trip reports I've found, the Frankland/Secheron section seems the most challenging. Some folks mention that it is easier to find a route around the northern base of Secheron and onto the saddle with Frankland when travelling west from Lloyd Jones.

My original plan has me travelling east, but the reading I've done has me a bit concerned about finding that route.

I'd love to hear your suggestions and comments, particularly what surprised you when you did the traverse. I'll share my planning data and route map in a private message soon.

... we used TWE to drop us at Serpentine Dam..

I've travelled with TWE on a few previous adventures in the southwest. They offer an excellent service, but as a solo traveller, I must see if they already have bookings in the area on suitable dates.

What I'd really like is a boat to drop a party below Terminal Peak to avoid the trudge around the lake.

During your trip, did you descend the range at Terminal Peak or summit Secheron? If so, I'd love to hear about the part of your trip east of Frankland Peak.

[north-north-west]

... getting off Secheron and down to Lloyd Jones is seriously gnarly ...

From the trip reports I've found, the Frankland/Secheron section seems the most challenging. Some folks mention that it is easier to find a route around the northern base of Secheron and onto the saddle with Frankland when travelling west from Lloyd Jones.

You can drop down from Frankland towards Frankland Shore and sidle around to the saddle near Secheron. Climbing Secheron from there is easy. The gully descending from that saddle is pretty scrubby and hard going, but I know a few people who've done it. Once around the cliffs on that side of Secheron, the going to Lloyd Jones and Terminal is easy; just don't try to go straight from peak to peak with any of that group.

I did Terminal and Lloyd Jones as a daywalk from the lakeshore, then Secheron as an overnighter during an other kayak trip. Water access makes it mostly straightforward.

[JamesMc]

During your trip, did you descend the range at Terminal Peak or summit Secheron? If so, I'd love to hear about the part of your trip east of Frankland Peak.

Walked around the north side of Secheron then got stuck descending the big cliff on Lloyd Jones. Tried going down a ramp that I think I used previously but chickened out and ended up descending north to the lake shore.

JamesMc

[north-north-west]

During your trip, did you descend the range at Terminal Peak or summit Secheron? If so, I'd love to hear about the part of your trip east of Frankland Peak.

Walked around the north side of Secheron then got stuck descending the big cliff on Lloyd Jones. Tried going down a ramp that I think I used previously but chickened out and ended up descending north to the lake shore.

Terminal-LloydJones is easy, but you need to use the ramp. A more direct line up the rock faces is doable but very hard work, with a lot of trial and error to find a way through. Sidling is quicker and simpler:

Rough line

That much I think can be posted here, but not the rest of the traverse.

[JamesMc]

We figured out the way down eventually but were feeling hot, thirsty and a bit fed up by then so we just went down to the lake

JamesMc

[mountainhigh]

Walked around the north side of Secheron ...."

I'd love to hear more about the Secheron part. Did you descend from the saddle between Frankland and Secheron?

How did you go finding a safe enough route?

Much "gentle scrub"-ing

[JamesMc]

Walked around the north side of Secheron ...."

I'd love to hear more about the Secheron part. Did you descend from the saddle between Frankland and Secheron?

How did you go finding a safe enough route?

Much "gentle scrub"-ing

PMed you

[mountainhigh]

... PMed you

Thank you! It's great having a community like this willing to share info and experience!