Thursday 14/03/2024 Highland Lakes Road – Projection Bluff Track – Projection Bluff
Great Western Tiers, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Palawa Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This trail is a lesser known walk in the Great Western Tiers area. We only knew about it when we drove past yesterday on our way to Pine Lake. With a two hour return time frame, we felt we could do it in the afternoon following our Quamby Bluff morning walk.
Max elevation: 1274 m
Total climbing: 227 m
Total descent: -221 m
Average speed: 2.11 km/h
Total time: 02:10:00
From the car park, we were immediately in amongst a thick band of trees before crossing a dry creek bed with surrounding tall dolerite cliffs and our destination for the afternoon towering above us. We then entered a beautiful Myrtle forest with many a twisted heavily lichen-encrusted trunk. We clambered over roots and rocks as we climbed at times steeply, always on the lookout for trail markers. It seemed there were trails in all directions!
After about 30 minutes we emerged from the forest onto a dolerite ridge line with great views over the central highlands. From here it’s a traverse north along the ridge line through scrubby low-lying heath. “The trail” here was difficult to follow with the track at times overgrown and I was getting nervous about snakes, this seemed just the right environment for them.
Liffey Blufff
At times we lost the trail even when constantly looking for rock cairns and the thought of bush bashing was not appealing. Steve wanted to continue and we did so for about a kilometre until he almost walked into a massive tiger snake “hiding” around a bend in the track, a solid 1.5m in length and as thick as his upper arms. It was sitting atop some low ground cover about 30cm above the track, hemmed in by a large rock behind it. Very fortunately it scurried off once it sensed his presence just as Steve had caught sight of it. He was so in awe of its size his instant response was “wow”, not the expected profanity. As it slithered off into dense undergrowth next to the track very overgrown track we were following we paused for a while and contemplated. Not willing to test the snake’s patience a second time if it was still the path forward we decided to turn back.
We did get some great views and the forest was incredible, almost otherworldly at times and it was worth doing the walk to see it.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Landscape Features and Geology
Projection Bluff is characterised by:
Dolerite cliffs: The bluff itself is formed from dolerite, a dark-coloured and fine-grained igneous rock. The cliffs rise steeply for approximately 130 metres, creating an imposing visual feature.
Plateau landscape: The summit of Projection Bluff offers views across the surrounding high plains, a characteristic feature of the Great Western Tiers.
Limited scree slopes: Talus slopes (accumulations of rock fragments) may be present at the base of the cliffs, although the extent is likely limited.
Scenic Highlights
The key scenic highlights of Projection Bluff include:
Panoramic views: The summit provides expansive vistas across the surrounding Central Plateau, including mountains, valleys, and distant lakes.
Dramatic cliffs: The dolerite cliffs themselves are a visually striking feature, particularly when viewed from a distance.
Sense of remoteness: The hike to the summit offers a feeling of isolation and immersion in the Tasmanian wilderness.
Local Flora
The vegetation on and around Projection Bluff varies with altitude and aspect. Here’s a possible breakdown:
Lower slopes: Dry sclerophyll forest with eucalypt species such as Black Peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita) or Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) might be present.
Higher slopes: As the elevation increases, the forest may transition to subalpine woodlands dominated by Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) and alpine shrubs.
Exposed areas: Rocky outcrops and cliff faces may support specialised plant communities adapted to harsh conditions, potentially including lichens and mosses.
Local Fauna
The fauna of Projection Bluff reflects the habitat types present:
Birds: Raptors such as Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) or smaller birds like scrubwrens may be sighted.
Mammals: Tasmanian pademelons (Thylogale brunii) or wallabies (Macropus spp.) might inhabit the forested areas.
Reptiles: Snakes such as tiger snakes (Notechis scutulatus) are present in Tasmania, so caution is advised while hiking.
Indigenous History
Information regarding Aboriginal Tasmanian interaction with Projection Bluff is limited. The traditional custodians of the land are the Palawa people. Evidence suggests Aboriginal Tasmanians frequented the Great Western Tiers for hunting and resource gathering. Further consultation with Tasmanian Aboriginal people is needed for a deeper understanding of their connection to this place.
White History
The exact date of European arrival in the vicinity of Projection Bluff is unclear. Timber harvesting likely began in the 19th century across the Great Western Tiers. Projection Bluff itself became known for its walking track, offering a challenging yet rewarding hike for experienced bushwalkers.
Other Walks
The Great Western Tiers offer a range of walking tracks catering to different abilities and interests. Some options include:
Walls of Jerusalem National Park: Hike through stunning alpine landscapes with challenging tracks and breathtaking views.
Lake Mackenzie Track: A shorter walk leading to a picturesque lake within the conservation area.
Higgs Track: A more challenging climb to Lady Lake Hut, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Projection Bluff provides a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience with stunning views and a sense of wilderness immersion. The surrounding landscape, diverse flora and fauna, and rich indigenous history contribute to the significance of this location within the Great Western Tiers.
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