Monday 26/02/2024 Mount Anne Track Carpark – Mount Anne Track High Camp Memorial Hut – Eliza Bluff – Eve Peak
South West National Park, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Palawa Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We set out from our campsite at Edgar Campground near Lake Pedder at just after 7:00am keen for an early start on what we anticipated would be a long day.
Max elevation: 1304 m
Total climbing: 1229 m
Total descent: -1235 m
Average speed: 2.54 km/h
Total time: 09:25:45
The previous night we were pleased to see some of the local wildlife, wallabies, a wombat and two spotted quolls!
We were greeted at the trailhead by a National Park Ranger who was very chatty and asked if we would like a cup of tea! In fact, I think she was checking out all the walkers for their abilities because we saw her at the end of the day and she was well aware of all the people on the mountain.
The lower section of this trail has had a lot of work done on it, either as board boardwalk or as well-constructed steps, so ascending was quite easy despite the unrelenting nature of the climb. This walk is fantastic for views, we had panoramic views the whole way, all day. National Parks had made great use of the beautiful pink granite using it to form a border at the edge of the track. Once we ascended we had incredible views of Lake Pedder and to the south the Eastern and Western Arthurs Ranges. We left about the same time as a young woman by herself. We started chatting to her and she told us she was a guide on the Overland Track (which she had completed about 50 times!). She decided to do the Mount Anne Circuit just for fun on her days off.
About two hours in we reached the Mount Eliza day shelter (which has a toilet). , Here there is a warning sign which says “Turn around here – risk of injury or death” Well the going did get quite a bit tougher after this point as the steps and boardwalk quickly became a distant memory. We were working our way through a large boulder field and progress was very slow. It took us 1.5 hours to negotiate the next 1.5km. Lots of stretching, reaching and pulling ourselves up. I was already getting worried about descending this section. Finally, things got a bit easier and we were back on a trail. Soon afterwards we reached the summit of Mount Eliza. The views were fantastic!
Federation Peak behind Schnells Ridge from flanks of Eve Peak (1357m)
From here the trail looked very reasonable as we were now on the summit plateau with easy walking. There were several tarns along the way as we got closer to the imposing Mount Anne. After about five hours we stopped for lunch on Eve Peak where we decided we should turn back to ensure we had enough time and energy left for the descent.
We enjoyed wonderful views from here on as the weather became sunny during the afternoon. This walk was a fantastic glimpse of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a very special place on our planet.
Information on Parks Tasmania signage along the way
SOUTHWEST NATIONAL PARK – MOUNT ANNE
Visitor information
Welcome
You are now standing at the base of the highest peak in the Southwest.
At 1423 metres in height, Mount Anne offers experienced walkers a challenging walk amongst fjaeldmark communities and ancient cushion plants where you are rewarded with expansive views of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Tasmania’s largest expanse of wilderness is located in Southwest National Park – a remote and rugged landscape that allows visitors to immerse themselves in imposing mountain ranges and buttongrass plains.
In a world where wild places are becoming increasingly rare, Southwest National Park has a key role to play. Not only does it protect unique ecosystems and cultural sites for future generations, it also provides visitors with the opportunity to explore, wonder and connect with nature.
Walk safely
Multi-day walks in Southwest Tasmania are significantly more difficult than other multiday walks in Tasmania and should only be undertaken by well prepared and experienced bushwalkers. Facilities on this track are minimal and all users must be self-reliant. If the weather deteriorates there are no huts between Mount Eliza and Red Tape Creek trailhead to provide shelter. Directional signage is limited and makes navigation difficult without appropriate maps and experience navigating. The track may be affected by severe and unpredictable weather which poses a serious threat to personal safety. Extensive boulder fields and exposed plateaus are a common feature on this track and sections can be extremely steep.
The Mount Anne Circuit is considerably more physically demanding than other multiday walks in Tasmania and should only be undertaken by self-sufficient, well-equipped and experienced walkers. The region is subject to extreme unexpected changing weather – be prepared for all weather conditions regardless of the forecast. Extreme winds are common and can pose a serious threat as large sections of this track are extremely exposed and offer little protection. Snow is a common event any time of year, even in summer. The final summit climb to Mount Anne is exposed and requires good scrambling skills. The circuit beyond Shelf Camp is exposed, has steep drop offs, usually requires pack hauling and has been the site of a number of rescues and fatalities.
If you do not have extensive experience in challenging multi-day walks, especially alpine walks in Tasmania, you should reconsider your plans.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Mount Anne, a majestic peak within Tasmania’s Southwest National Park, rises 1423 meters above sea level, dominating the landscape and offering a captivating wilderness experience. This dramatic mountain massif unfolds a tapestry of diverse features, from sheer cliffs and alpine heath to glacial lakes and ancient rainforests.
Landscape Features:
Rugged Peak: The defining characteristic of Mount Anne is its imposing summit, a formidable presence on the southwestern skyline. Steep slopes and dramatic cliffs sculpted by glacial activity and weathering create a sense of awe and adventure.
Glacial Lakes: Nestled in glacial valleys carved by ancient ice sheets lies Lake Judd, a pristine alpine lake reflecting the surrounding peaks. The serene beauty of this glacial legacy adds to the diverse landscape.
Alpine Heaths: Above the tree line, windswept alpine heaths dominate the slopes. Low-growing shrubs like mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) and cushion plants tenaciously cling to life in this harsh environment.
Precipitous Cliffs: The western flanks of Mount Anne are characterised by sheer cliffs, plummeting hundreds of meters to the valley floor. These dramatic rock faces challenge experienced climbers and offer awe-inspiring vistas.
Eliza Plateau: A high plateau, remnants of an ancient erosion surface, flanks the western slopes of Mount Anne. This relatively flat and open area provides a unique perspective of the surrounding peaks.
Geology:
The geological history of Mount Anne shapes its dramatic landscapes. The core of the mountain is composed of quartzite, a hard metamorphic rock formed from ancient sandstone deposits millions of years ago. Subsequent glacial activity sculpted the valleys, carved Lake Judd, and left behind the characteristic U-shaped glacial features. Erosion further shaped the landscape, creating the steep slopes and imposing cliffs.
Scenic Highlights:
Summit Climb: For experienced mountaineers, conquering the challenging summit of Mount Anne offers breathtaking panoramic vistas encompassing the vast wilderness of the Southwest National Park and glimpses of distant mountains.
Lake Judd Circuit: Hike the scenic Lake Judd Circuit, traversing diverse landscapes from rainforests to alpine heaths, and witness the serenity of the glacial lake nestled amidst towering peaks.
Eliza Plateau Exploration: Explore the Eliza Plateau, enjoying expansive views and a unique vantage point of the surrounding mountains, including the dramatic western cliffs of Mount Anne.
Local Flora:
The diverse habitats surrounding Mount Anne support a rich variety of plant life:
Subalpine Woodlands: Hardy snow gum trees (Eucalyptus pauciflora) dominate the subalpine woodlands, providing habitat for various bird and insect species.
Alpine Heaths: Windswept alpine heaths, characterised by low-growing shrubs like mountain pepper, cushion plants, and endemic wildflowers like the stunning mountain correa (Correa lawrenciana), paint the slopes with vibrant colours during spring and summer.
Wet Heaths: In wetter areas, buttongrass moorlands and cushion plant communities thrive, adapted to the harsh conditions and creating a unique spongy texture to the landscape.
Rainforests: At lower elevations, pockets of temperate rainforests dominated by towering myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) and celery pine (Phyllocladus aspleniifolius) offer a cool, green contrast to the alpine environments.
Local Fauna:
The diverse ecosystems surrounding Mount Anne provide habitat for a variety of Tasmanian fauna:
Mammals: Keep an eye out for wallabies and pademelons grazing in the subalpine meadows, while elusive Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) might be active at dusk.
Birds: Diverse birdlife fills the air with song. Listen for the calls of honeyeaters, parrots like the green rosella (Platycercus callodes), and raptors like wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) soaring through the skies.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Basking lizards and skinks might be spotted on sunny rocks, while frogs like the spotted tree frog (Litoria punctata) croak near water bodies in the lower elevations.
Indigenous History:
The traditional lands of the palawa people encompass the Southwest National Park, including Mount Anne. Evidence of their long connection to the land can be found in archaeological sites and oral histories. The palawa people likely used the lower slopes of Mount Anne for hunting and gathering resources, respecting its spiritual significance within their cultural traditions.
White History:
European exploration of the Southwest National Park region began in the early 19th century. The harsh and remote environment initially hindered settlement. Mount Anne itself remained largely unexplored until the mid-20th century.
Clickable icons on this world map will open the related trip report
A detailed, searchable trip list with links to reports, photo galleries and other content
