Aug 2026 - Knocklofty Summit Loop

This walk was a return to an old favourite for some of us. The Summit Loop on Knocklofty, just on the fringe of West Hobart, is easy to access, fairly short, and a beaut mini escape from the city. We struck it lucky with the weather today - sunny and mild, with the occasional breeze. Our walkers were Di, Angie, Fin, Kat, Philip, Lyn and Bob.

We met at the picnic table near the carpark at the top of Forest Road, and set off at 10am. The first half of the route features a steady uphill fire trail, which is a good test of one's cardiovascular fitness. We stopped (talking) a few times to observe birds - green rosella, forest raven, wren, fantail - and to admire kunanyi in the near distance.

It is a relief to the legs to reach the plateau at the top and cross over the Knocklofty Summit.

From here the trail is compacted and dry, and weaves through open bushland.

There is an active Friends of Knocklofty group which helps the Council's parks team to look after this place, and they are doing a great job keeping the weeds under control. We didn't see any wallabies today, sadly. We stopped at the comfy bench a little way down for water and some nibbles. Then it was onwards and downwards on the gently meandering trail. More birds were heard - wattlebird.

The walk took about an hour and a half, and we reconvened just down the hill at the Pigeon Hole Cafe for lunch and coffee. The meals were yummy and generous (just look at Kat's toastie!).

What a lovely outing with our mates.

July 2026 - Wielangta Tramway Trail

Did you know: Wielangta is a local Aboriginal name meaning ‘tall trees’. This walk is described on the Rail Trails of Australia website as: "following the route of a former logging tram line through patches of rainforest and a lush sub-tropical environment. There are patches of rainforest and it’s generally a lush environment even in mid-summer.

...The Wielangta forest is part of remnant glacial refugia forest and contains blue gum eucalypt forest and pockets of cool temperate rainforest. It is a key habitat of rare and threatened species, including the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, swift parrot, Wielangta stag beetle, spotted-tail quoll and eastern barred bandicoot. A rare orchid (Genoplesium nudum) has also been discovered in the forest. The forest forms part of the South-east Tasmania Important Bird Area, identified as such by Bird-life International because of its importance in the conservation of a range of woodland birds".

Philip was our organiser today, suggesting that we start from the Wielangta Forest Picnic Area at the southern end of the trail where there is a shelter, picnic tables and toilet.

Directions: From Arthur Highway, turn left just before Copping on to C335 for 4.7km. Continue Bream Creek Rd C336 for 1.5km. Turn left on to Wielangta Forest Rd for 12km to reach Picnic Area on right. Entering 'Wielangta Forest Walk Picnic Area' into Google Maps will get you straight there.

So nine of us gathered at the southern rest area, on a beautiful sunny winter's day - Di, David, Graham, Angie, Janet, Gary, Caroline and Lyn. We found that the dirt road from Kellevie was damp from recent rains and a bit slippery, but we had no mishaps on the road. Arriving for a 10.30am start, we rugged up and set off.

Spot the difference!

It was a pleasant walk, with views of the river emerging now and then.

There were a few splodgy sections, and a couple of creek crossings which involved rock hopping, but most of the trail was firm underfoot.

At the northern end of the trail, we stopped for snacks. Here we were amazed at the inscription on a grave - it was for a child who died in 1919, apparently a victim of an explosion, and the plaque noted that he had 15 siblings(!). The walk back was mostly uphill (see map). There was a minor leech event, with Janet being the unlucky one this time.

You can do a loop back via the road but it's nicer just to retrace your steps back to the picnic area for lunch, or have it by the river. It's around 9km return, 3 hours. Notes for next time: consider doing it from the northern end. That way the walk is mostly uphill to the lunch spot, then mostly downhill on the way back.