Hiking in Australia - World's Best Ridge Walk

The Western Arthur Range in Tasmania, Australia is considered the best ridge walk in Australia, if not the world. It is generally walked over 10 days and it is completed as a 85 km circuit.

The peaks, ridges and lakes of the Western Arthur Range are named after the planets, stars and constellations of the night sky. 


The total GPS recorded ascent for the whole walk is 4800 metres. It is a challenging walk but very rewarding and the views are breathtaking. 


Guided groups hike the range from November through to April.

A Guides Life - Lake Oberon Day 2 (Part 2)

From the summit of Mount Hayes you get commanding views of the range and the South West National Park.
Today's journey is full of ascents, descents, negotiating scree slopes, scrambling and "views". I may seem to go on about the views but we are lucky to get good weather up here, sometimes it can be a bit of a lottery.
Square Lake was a welcome site and a timely stop for lunch. The smoked chicken, avacado and salad wraps were divine!
After a well earned rest it was, (you guessed it) climb time! Up the slopes of Square Lake to the ridge top, around a huge buttress to a small saddle and then before us was the classic view of Lake Oberon.

A Guides Life - Lake Oberon Day 2 (Part 1)

The peaks, ridges and lakes of the Western Arthur Range are named after the planets, stars and constellations of the night sky. The range poses a challenge for walkers given its altitude, ruggedness and exposure to extreme weather.

Morning on day 2 dawned fine, which is a relief. I assembled the trangia and set about preparing breaky for the guys. Hot porridge was on the menu this morning followed by a cup of tea for all, a good warm me up as we won't see the sun until we climb up to the ridge crest from our camp deep in the cirque of Lake Cygnus.

Packs packed, shoulders and hips a bit tender from the weight of our packs we climbed up out of Lake Cygnus and headed for Mount Hayes.

A Guides Life - Western Arthurs Day 1

A 6:30am start from Hobart gets us to Scott's Peak Dam at 09:15 and we're ripping to go. I pull on the trusty boots and do a final gear check.

"Anybody want some power gels, you might need them we have a big day ahead" They were gone in a flash! Lake Cygnus here we come. We were blessed with a perfect day as we set off trudging through the mud towards Junction Creek.

By Junction Creek spirits were still high, we lunched then set off for Moraine A. Moraine A is the approach to top of the northern end of the Western Arthur Range and the beginning of Australia's best ridge walk.

I took up my usual role as tail end Charlie and started attacking the accent. The guys ahead of me stirred up a wasps nest and as I passed through that spot they took to me stinging my legs. Shit it hurt!

My head guide and 2 clients were off like a flash and weren't to be seen again until we reached the top of the range. I followed our 3rd client, who was suffering from extreme cramping. Not a nice start to his 10 day walk.

We re-grouped at the top of the range, took some pics then headed off along the range to Lake Cygnus. The sun was still shinning on the eastern side of the cirque as we descended down to the lake and our campsite. A tent pitching demonstration was my first task followed by swinging the billy for a hot cuppa.

Dinner was a Tomato and Basil Risotto with more hot drinks and a early night.

Bushwalker Transport Tasmania

Getting to the start as well as back form many of Tasmania's bushwalking tracks can be quite challenging.

Organising transport should be done in advance before booking your tours, and even if you are self guiding. Some services are limited by their frequency and timing.

Adventure Seekers, based in Hobart may be your answer to get you or your group to walks such as the Overland Track and Scott's Peak - the start of the Western Arthur Traverse and the Port Davey Track.

Generally if you are a group of at least 3 we can get you to the trailhead and back at a time and day that is convenient for you. A group of 5 or more will attract a discounted rate.

The next time you need bushwalker transport in Tasmania, consider us.

A Guides Life - The Meet & Greet, Please take a seat!

Dawn on day 1 and the weather is what it is. It is just a good feeling to get out into the bush again and introduce our guests to our backyard.

Vehicle inspection, check! passenger list, check! and Im heading off to pick up my fellow guide.

This particular tour is the Western Arthur Range in the South West National Park of Tasmania and is over 10 days and 86km.

One by one we pull into our clients accommodation and do the introductions. Everyone is dressed in their bushwalking finest, some are dressed head to toe in one brand, some are not so loyal and are wearing a mixture of brands, new and clean.....for now!

The drive to Scott's Peak Dam is about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Hobart; a great opportunity for us to get to know our guests and our guests each other.

Adventure Race Australia

Sunday 24th July 2011 

Nanga Bush Camp, Dwellingup, WA was home to the 2011 Adventure Race Australia. 80 teams of solos, 2 and 3 competitors navigated their way through the beautiful Jarrah Forest by means of mountain bike, raft and on foot.

Additional challenges were a 18 metre abseil and sprint rogaining legs. The race was 1 in a series of races held nationally and run by In2Adventure. 

The next event is in Adelaide on Sunday 7th August. Hope you can make it!