Mount Field National Park

Improving Access to Tasmanian Parks

Written by Peter Franklin, President of Wildcare Friends of Mount Field

FNPW granted over $11,000 to an important project in Tasmania to improve access to Mount Field National Park. More visitors will be able to visit this popular tourist area thanks to the newly installed bridge and boardwalks, which will protect walkers and the environment.

For nearly 50 years I have been a keen bushwalker, so after I retired I became more involved with volunteering on environmental projects in National Parks. As Mount Field has always has always been one of my favourite places and is not far from home, it has become a focus for me. This project is about improving access at the start of a popular walking track at Mount Field National Park in Tasmania. It comprises of two main features, a bridge over Lady Barron Creek and the new board walk over a 100 m wet area after the creek crossing. This work will improve both the environment and visitor access. At the start of one of the most popular tracks, the Lady Barron Creek must be crossed just below Lake Fenton. This creek is subject to flooding when Lake Fenton overflows. An early solution was to install two concrete pipes to allow water to flow through; but walkers had to negotiate the rounded and slippery pipes. This was not easy especially for the less agile people, and it also looked unsightly.

Each year hundreds of people of different ages and fitness would make this crossing. An improved bridge will make it easier and safer for walkers to cross and also improve the water quality. A new boardwalk will also be constructed over an existing 100 eroded walking track in Mount Field east. This track now has a considerable flow of water, making it very boggy. The boardwalk will improve walker comfort and protect the environment. All those feets also muddied the creek, which supplies 20% of the water for the greater Hobart area. Since receiving the grant from FNPW, we have got off to a flying start. We have already completed the bridge and have now taken delivery of the timber for the track upgrade. In early January the track to Mount Field East was closed for two days while a contractor with heavy machinery removed the existing pipes and cleaned out the creek bed at the crossing point. A few metres downstream the debris that had built up from past flooding was removed as part of the work. The old pipes were re-seated and two new pipes added to allow for improved water flow. Boulders were added on top by gravel to provide a smooth walking surface. The area surrounding this project site has many endemic Fagus plants, Fuscospora gunnii. This is the only cold-climate native deciduous tree in Australia. The bridge that we have now installed allows people to access these popular trees much more easily. We have completed it just in time for the big increase in vistors during Autumn when the Fagus leaves change colour. Thanks to FNPW for the grant to help make Mt Field National Park a safer and more accessible Tasmanian destination.