The Eastern Arthur Range Traverse, Huon Track and the full Western Arthur Range Traverse has reopened today, Monday 19 September.
The tracks have been under repair for almost two years as part of a $2.4 million project funded through the Community Recovery Fund, a joint Commonwealth-Tasmanian Government investment under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
It has been delivered by Tasmanian contractors using locally-sourced materials.
The project has allowed Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) to work with contractors to clear and rebuild more than 40km of tracks extensively damaged during the 2018-19 bushfires.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the reopening signals a significant milestone in the area’s bushfire recovery.
“This was a huge undertaking for everyone involved. The Commonwealth Government is pleased to have been able to support the works and in turn, the local economy and tourism.
“These tracks are challenging and are for experienced walkers who are eager to experience some of the most spectacular and remote ranges in Australia, and safety must come first,” Minister Watt said.
The project team rebuilt more than 4km of track across the Cracroft Plains and in the Strike Creek area, to help minimise spread from the area which is infected with root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi).
The team also raised and realigned tracks and relocated two campsites, Cracroft Crossing and Pass Creek, to reduce the spread of root rot and help keep the majority of the track network uninfected.
Tasmanian Minister for Parks Roger Jaensch said the completed work means experienced walkers will once again be able to enjoy the full Western Arthur Range Traverse.
“These are two of Tasmania’s most challenging backcountry bushwalking tracks and feature highly on many walkers’ wish lists. Both these tracks contain many steep cliff sections where rock scrambling and pack hauling is required,” Minister Jaensch said.
“These are areas without phone reception where navigation skills are required. It’s very important to be prepared. It’s an alpine walk and includes several sections that are dangerous for inexperienced or unprepared walkers and weather conditions can change rapidly.”
Walkers are urged to play their part to help protect the environmental values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area by remaining on the walkways, and only camp on the platforms provided in these areas.
Overnight walker registration for the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse is now open. There is a daily cap of 3 tents (6 walkers).
“Our skilled and experienced PWS Wilderness Track Rangers who are deployed over the peak walking season, along with the walker registration system that manages daily departures, are key to walker safety and protecting these fragile and remote bushwalking environments,” Minister Jaensch said.
“The registration system has been well received by walkers who recognise their role in helping to protect these special areas. As we prepare for another busy walking season it’s important that people register their overnight walks.”
