Split Rock (Liawenee) - Sat. 25th May 2019
This peak is located near Liawenee in Tasmania's central highlands. It should not be confused with the other Split Rock, also called Cleft Rock, which is located near Meander Falls. Please note that this walk will all be through an area that was extensively burnt in the bush fires that occurred earlier this year. Walkers should be prepared for this. In many ways to some people it will not be as attractive a walk as it would have been before the fires. Nevertheless it could be of interest to observe how nature has responded to such an event and we will see occasional signs of new life that are already occurring. Walking will be relatively open and easy as a result of the fires, however walkers should dress appropriately. This would not be the time to try out your new light coloured walking pants! Charcoal coloured would be better. There is a variety of terrain that we will cover: open forest; relatively flat rock scree fields; wet burnt grassy areas and rocky chute climbs. If weather is clear we can expect extensive views of the Central Plateau and Great Lake. The walk is only about 4 km each way and although the walking is not especially difficult, it is rated medium rather than easy, mostly because it is all off track and there will be uneven terrain in places. There is about 250 m of climbing altogether. Energetic children and teenagers should be able to cope with this walk.Walk route:
The walk starts where an old vehicular track joins the Highland Lakes Road about 2 km north of Liawenee, at an elevation of 1050 m. We will park there and walk in a northwesterly direction through open forest initially, then across a burnt grass area to pick up a taped route through more open forest up a gentle incline to reach the plateau, climbing about 150 m in the process. From there we turn left and walk south west for a further kilometre to reach the summit after climbing another 100 m up some steeper rocky chutes. It should take us about 2 hours to get there depending on the group and the weather on the day. If conditions and time permit, some may wish to scramble across the rocky gully to the other peak of Split Rock which is only very slightly lower.
Meeting Times and Places:
If you are interested in going on this walk, please phone or email the leader, Phil Andrew, on 0408 014 757, 6300 1067 or pandrew.tas@gmail.com to book in. The departure time is 8:00 am from Door of Hope carpark in South Launceston. The alternative meeting place/time is at the "train park" in Deloraine at 8:35 am. (If coming from east, cross the bridge and turn right at the roundabout). If you would like to arrange to meet there or elsewhere, please arrange with the leader, and please be at any meeting place 5 minutes ahead of the listed time. The leader must be notified of any other people you intend to bring along.
To access this area from northern Tasmania:
From Launceston, head towards Deloraine on the Bass Highway (50 km) and take the first (eastern) turn from the highway into Deloraine. Continue into the town and turn left immediately before the bridge (unless going to the meeting place across the main bridge and turn right to find toilets and old locomotive - see above). From there head south along the "Lake Highway" - now officially Highland Lakes Rd. (but the first bit may be called Meander Rd!). Make sure to turn left after 7 km at signposted junction for Highland Lakes Rd. Continue south through Golden Valley, up past Quamby Bluff and Projection Bluff and past Pine Lake. Continue south through Breona, Brandum and other groups of shacks along shores of Great Lake until a small bridge is crossed approx. 53 km from Deloraine. After a further 1.5 km turn right into a vehicular track and park there. If you reach the Police Station at Liawenee you have come about 2.2 km too far! The road is sealed all the way.
Warnings:
E... Exposed alpine conditions – can be dangerous in poor weather if not fully equipped
M... Marshy or muddy sections – be prepared to walk with wet feet.
S... Steep incline for at least part of the way
Make sure you have a good supply of drinking water - suggest 1 litre per person.
Walkers are advised to wear strong shoes or boots. Gaiters recommended due to off-track walking. You should always carry wet weather gear as well as warm clothing in case of sudden weather changes.
Click this link for a more detailed discussion of Preparation, Food and Safety guidelines for Boots N' All walks, and especially preparation for exposed alpine conditions.
Map details:
Map reference:
Short ref. na
Zone Easting Northing Latitude Longitude
55G 472025 53 64 759 -41.86859 146.662900
One peakbagger point will be earned on on this walk. For listing of peakbagger points, see the Hobart Walking Club
Peakbagger's Guide (2000 revision) which can be downloaded (Excel) from
http://tastracks.webs.com/peakbaggers.htm The same web page
contains several other listings of Tasmanian peaks.
GPX version of the track:
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to download. Google Earth version of the track:
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Right-click on the file and save target as to a location of your choice.
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most recent at top to find the file for the next walk).