Best trails in Southwest National Park

It is a relatively easy 14k hike mostly on duckboard. The last section to the lake is uphill but extremely doable. The weather and views on the hike were absolutely stunning. It was very hot and sunny (29 degrees), unusual for Southwest National Park. Took roughly 4h 45 minutes in total to the start and back.

This is the most scenic trail I have done so far. Muddy and steep to the summit. Incredible views of the southwest. Met some lovely people at the summit.

The South Coast Track: A Grim Excursion The fickleness of Tasmanian weather rendered flights from the 23rd onwards a hopeless endeavour. Left with little choice, I resolved to walk from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca, clinging to the faint hope of finding a flight there. What followed was a journey marked by discomfort, folly, and the occasional glimpse of beauty. Day 1: Cockle Creek to South Cape Rivulet The journey began innocently enough, a gentle hike under reasonable conditions. A late start meant progress was modest, but the campsite at South Cape Rivulet was pleasing—a serene and scenic spot. It might have been a promising start if not for the ominous clouds of Tasmanian reality gathering on the horizon. Day 2: South Cape Rivulet to Granite Beach This was where the illusion of adventure gave way to unmitigated misery. The track devolved into a vast bog, an endless march through knee-deep mud that stretched for ten torturous kilometres. The uphill slogs felt like a descent into Mordor itself, bereft of anything resembling hope or reprieve. By the time I reached Granite Beach, I was too weary to fully appreciate its picturesque setting. All that mattered was that it was not a swamp. Day 3: Granite Beach to Prion Boats The third day’s trials were a study in endurance. The path demanded countless scrambles over and under fallen trees, a relentless and fatiguing obstacle course that left me drained. While the mud persisted, it was mercifully less abundant than the previous day, though my spirits remained mired in it. Day 4: Prion Boats to Lower Ironbound Camp Forewarned of worsening weather, I pressed on to gain elevation, anticipating that the climb ahead would be a challenge. The day began with a hint of warmth, a cruel joke played by the Tasmanian summer. By afternoon, howling winds and a southwesterly squall shattered any pretense of comfort. Rain lashed the camp through the night, a grim lullaby for my weary body. Day 5: Lower Ironbound Camp to Louisa River This was a day to test both resolve and reason. The ascent began with a flowing creek masquerading as a track, the terrain a treacherous blend of mud and fallen trees. Near the summit, blizzard conditions set in, and temperatures plummeted into the realm of genuine danger. Crossing the plateau was an exercise in survival, with 100km/h winds, sleet, and hail battering me from all sides. The descent, though easier in comparison, offered little solace, with the relentless rain and mud following me like a curse. By the time I reached Louisa River, I was soaked, freezing, and utterly spent. Day 6: Louisa Creek to Melaleuca I awoke to a desolate scene: hail carpeting the ground and a thunderstorm rolling ominously overhead. After a sleepless night, I packed my sodden gear and set out for the final 24 kilometres, driven by the promise of a dry hut at Melaleuca. The track was easier to navigate but no less wretched under the unrelenting rain. When I finally arrived, drenched and chilled to the bone, it was less a triumph than a desperate escape. Reflections Tasmania offers no such thing as summer. This track is a venture for only the supremely fit, resilient, and well-prepared. The trail itself is an affront to civility—poorly maintained and rendered nearly impassable by the ceaseless traffic of unprepared walkers, many inspired more by social media than by any understanding of the terrain. It is a track where mistakes are unforgiving, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of three hikers this week alone. Parks Tasmania must take responsibility for these conditions, introducing emergency huts in critical locations and addressing the risks posed by the increasing popularity of the walk. The South Coast Track is not a pursuit for the faint-hearted or ill-equipped. It demands fitness, experience, and a generous dose of luck with the weather. For those without these, the track offers only the prospect of hardship—or worse.