You are invited to join in the next Boots N' All wilderness adventure to Bastion Bluff. Due to a recent operation, David Meadows is unable to lead the walk as rostered, so I, Basil, will be your leader for the day. The walk takes you from Smoko Creek, altitude 600m, through the picturesque Dell to the vast alpine plateau with panoramic views. From the car park at Smoko Creek, the route heads west for about 3 km, the first km over old logging roads, rising steeply over a rough but useable track with a couple of creek crossings. The track then swings south for about another km, with a brief respite at 1100m after very steep climbing, before again swinging west for the final steep and rocky ascent to Bastion Bluff, 1386m. Rated Medium-hard due to the steep climbing and some boulder fields, fitness, appropriate equipment and experience of exposed alpine walking conditions are factors you should consider. However, energetic older children should cope well with the conditions.
Meeting Times and Places:
If you are interested in going on this walk, please phone your walk leader, Basil Tkaczuk Ph.63311155 or 0438 664402 (or reply to this email by Thursday evening) to book in.
The departure time is 7:30 am from the Door of Hope Church car park, Launceston. The alternative meeting place/time is Deloraine at 8 am. (Turn onto the Lake Highway at junction in Deloraine on Launceston side of bridge over Meander R.). Other meeting places by arrangement with leader. If you would like to arrange to meet the group at these places or elsewhere, please arrange with the leader, and please be at any meeting place 5 minutes ahead of the listed time.
The leader should always be notified of any other people you intend to bring along, and you should always contact the walk leader if intending to participate in a particular Boots N' All walk.
To access this area from northern Tasmania:
From Launceston, head towards Deloraine on the Bass Highway (50 km) and take the first (eastern) turn from the highway into Deloraine. Continue into the town and turn left immediately before the bridge (meeting place - see above). From Deloraine, head south along the "Lake Highway" - now Highland Lakes Rd. (but the first bit may be called Meander Rd!). Make sure to stay on Meander Rd and go straight ahead (DON'T turn left) at 7 km from Deloraine, where there is a signposted junction for Highland Lakes Rd. Continue a further 9 km to Meander and continue through the town. A little under 9 km further, you will come to the junction of Smoko Rd, just short of the washed out bridge that formerly would have taken you to Meander Falls. Turn right into Smoko Rd and follow approx. 2 km to where the road ends at another washed out bridge, which is where the walk begins.
Warnings:
The highest point of Bastion Bluff is almost 1400 metres above sea level, on a very exposed alpine plateau.
E Exposed alpine conditions – can be dangerous in poor weather if not fully equipped (You must be equipped for poor conditions even if the weather forecast is promising).
S Steep incline for at least part of the way
B Boulder field – walkers need to be able to confidently step from rock to rock.
M Marshy or muddy sections – be prepared to walk with wet feet.
L Long day's walking
If you are unsure of equipment requirements, Visit the Boots N' All section of the sutas.org.au website per link below and read "Clothing suggestions for exposed conditions"
Map details and references:
Bastion Bluff: 1:100000 map is Meander (Tasmap 8214) and 1:25000 map for upper area is Lake Mackenzie (TasMap 4438).
Short ref. 587819
Zone Easting Northing Latitude Longitude
55G 4 59 160 53 81 795 -41.71459 146.50906
Bastion Bluff is worth 1 peakbagger point