What is an ‘iconic walk’?
Different walks appeal to different people. We find walkers will have their own favourite walks depending on their preferences. Some of Tasmania’s most popular and iconic multi-day walks include the Overland Track, Three Capes Track, Frenchmans Cap Track, South Coast Track and Freycinet Peninsula Circuit.
The Overland Track is an internationally recognised walk that people travel from interstate and overseas specifically to complete.
The Three Capes Track is our most recently developed multi-day award winning track and has proved extremely popular – for good reason. The walk takes in 48 km of spectacular, cliff-hugging wilderness on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania’s south-east.
Why does Tasmania need a new iconic walking experience?
Research by Tourism Tasmania confirms that, for visitors coming to Tasmania, walking is and always has been the most popular recreational activity in natural areas, and this is confirmed by the Parks and Wildlife Service’s visitor survey program.
Tasmania is renowned for magnificent bushwalking, from short strolls and day walks to long and difficult overnight bushwalks through a range of diverse environments. This project will build on the success of the Overland Track and Three Capes Track, by creating a walking experience that showcases the best of Tasmania and is sustainably managed. Over 90 percent of walkers on both tracks rate their walk as “one of the best things they’ve done in their lives”, or “one of the best things they’ve done in the past 12 months”.
In Tasmania, there is demand for more walks; 93 percent of respondents who walked the Three Capes Track said they would walk on a new track elsewhere in Tasmania if it was a similar standard to the Three Capes Track.
How was the Tyndall Range selected as the preferred location for the walk?
In 2018, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) invited the community to put forward its ideas, harnessing the local knowledge of walkers, operators and people passionate about Tasmania’s nature and history. Twenty four (24) public proposals were received and, over a six month period, an assessment panel comprising local, national and international experts reviewed and ground-truthed a number of potential sites. Each proposal was carefully assessed against environmental, economic, community, and operational criteria to identify the best location. The
preferred option, was the Tyndall Range on Tasmania’s West Coast between Queenstown and Tullah. The site was identified in two of the public submissions.
Will this walk be like the Three Capes Track?
The Next Iconic Walk will not be Three Capes Track “Mark 2”. PWS and the design team has learnt a lot of lessons from the Three Capes Track and other walks around Tasmania, but this location has the potential to be something completely different. The combination of natural beauty and spectacular landscapes intertwined with a rich mining, exploration and hydro-power heritage will create a unique offering. The standard of huts is likely to be similar to the Three Capes but the nature of the environment and weather conditions is likely to see a more challenging on track experience for walkers.
How long will the walk be and how far will you have to walk in a day?
The final walk is currently expected to be approximately 31 km long. The first day will be approximately 8km, the second day approximately 13km and the final day approximately 10km.
Why is it only two nights?
The
Feasibility Study explored over 50 track route options in and around the Tyndall Range. The Feasibility Study surveyed and interviewed more than 1 900 Australians and the feedback from respondents on their travel patterns and desirability of different options strongly pointed to a three-day, two-night experience. Market research conducted by Instinct and Reason in October 2024 confirmed there is a much higher demand for a three-day, two-night experience compared to a two-day, one-night experience.
Who is likely to do this walk and will it exclude existing walkers in that area?
The aim is to develop an experience that will appeal to people who are motivated and inspired by walking in outstanding natural environments and the notion of exploration, whether they are Tasmanians, or interstate or international visitors.
While no final decision has been made about fees, the principle of visitors contributing to the cost of operating and maintaining the facilities they use and contributing to protecting our natural areas is a sound one.
This will be a new walk built from scratch so will not exclude any existing opportunities. People will be able to walk on existing tracks in the area for free as they do now. These walks are usually in the alpine areas, which our walk deliberately avoids, so we are not taking any opportunities away.
Will you still be able to access nearby vehicle tracks for four-wheel driving and to access lakes for fishing?
Access to existing recreation opportunities in the area will remain the same as currently available. The Lake Spicer Track, which is popular with fisherman and off-road vehicles, will remain open for use under the existing permit system.
What will it cost to walk the track?
An objective of the Parks and Wildlife Service is to ensure the operation of the walk is self-funded by walker fees. No final decision has been made on pricing. Modelling which demonstrated the feasibility of the walk considered a comparable price to the cost to walk the Three Capes Track, however further market research was undertaken in 2024 to explore amongst other things, the price points for the different accommodation options proposed.
It is expected that there will be different price points for different levels of service on the Next Iconic Walk. The lowest cost option will be a be a tent-based camping option followed by a more traditional hut-based option in shared bunkrooms and the most expensive being private rooms or ‘pods’.
How will visitor numbers be managed?
It is expected a similar approach will be taken to the Three Capes Track – with a year-round booking system. The current planning and design work for the Next Iconic Walk is based on a maximum of 44 departures per day (22 in shared bunk rooms, 12 in private pods and 10 in tents on camping platforms).
Why is this a good investment?
Tasmania’s economy needs to be built on a diverse range of activities and industries, and to build on its sustainable advantages like our reputation for wild experiences; the Next Iconic Walk builds upon that advantage.
Our investment in this walk will be a massive boost to the West Coast economy, with the
Feasibility Study indicating the project can deliver a $12 return for every $1 spent to the West Coast.
It is estimated that the Next Iconic Walk project will generate 139 jobs during construction and a further 40 jobs in ongoing (transport, tourism, hospitality and support services) including 9 Parks and Wildlife Service operational staff including Host Rangers.
What is the track going to be called?
A preferred name has not yet been chosen for the walk and will be informed by focus groups and market testing. An interpretation consultant, Charlie Bravo Design, has been engaged to develop the interpretive content for the walk. Charlie Bravo Design has already developed a series of themes that will run through different elements of the interpretation on the walk – it will be important that the name selected is consistent with the themes and marketing plan for the walk.
Have Tasmanians had the opportunity to share their ideas about the Next Iconic Walk?
Yes. Very early in the project Tasmanians were invited to provide their ideas on the walk and 24 proposals were offered about where and in what form a new walk could be developed; with two proposals actually including the Tyndall Range in their submissions. Since the location was determined, the Parks and Wildlife Service has proactively sought input and welcomed direct contact from interested stakeholders.
During the feasibility study stage of the project, from 2019 – 2021 more than 1 900 individuals, businesses and organisations contributed their ideas, thoughts and expert advice on the project. From 2021 – 2024 the PWS has continued to consult with stakeholders through eight design workshops and 14 stakeholder presentations involving a combined total of over 100 internal and external stakeholders from the tourism industry, West Coast businesses and community / development organisations and specialists in multi-day walk development and parks management. In August-September 2024, over 200 people attended public information sessions held across the state, providing feedback on early concept designs for the track, huts and camping. Market research conducted in 2024 surveyed over 2 000 people across Australia, with over 350 Tasmanian’s surveyed (including many who had previously walked the Overland Track or Three Capes Track).
Will Tasmanians have any more chances to have their say on the walk?
The project planners are in the process of compiling an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will form part of the Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process. The RAA is expected to be released for public comment in mid-2025 through the PWS ‘Have Your Say’ website.
Following the finalisation of the RAA, a Development Application (DA) will be lodged with the West Coast Council. This will provide a further opportunity for the public to review and comment on the plans for the project.
The project will need to be approved by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works. As part of this approval process the proposal will also be advertised for a period of public comment later in 2025.
Will there be private huts developed like Three Capes and the Overland Track?
The Next Iconic Walk is being developed as a Government owned and managed walk. There are no plans to provide an alternate experience in privately owned and run huts. There is a possibility that low impact locally led commercial opportunities utilising the public huts may be considered in the future (e.g. in winter or shoulder seasons).
Tasmania’s parks and reserves are mostly natural and free of development; if a new walk is developed won’t this destroy what attracts tourists here?
The Parks and Wildlife Service understands that our parks and reserves are important places for the protection of Tasmania’s unique ecosystems, and this is why before any development can proceed it must be formally approved, which means demonstrating it can and will comply with all legislative requirements.
Site investigations undertaken by various specialist consultants have not found any development impediments (critical constraints) and advice received indicates that any values identified can be protected with careful management.
While the area is remote and looks wild, there is a long history of human activity and disturbance including mining, hydro-electric power generation, four-wheel driving, fishing and existing walking tracks.
The walk is located outside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), and is also not located in a National Park. The walk is located within a Regional Reserve and Conservation Area, both of which allow, subject to gaining all required approvals, a multi-day walk. Activities including mining and four-wheel driving are also permitted in the area.
More broadly, one of the benefits of a ticketed system is that visitor numbers are limited to the capacity of the huts and campgrounds, preventing unsustainable growth and overcrowding.
How will you protect the fragile vegetation on the Tyndall Plateau?
When the Tyndall Range was first identified as the preferred location for the walk there were concerns raised by some groups that the walk should not traverse the alpine plateau area that is rich in sensitive and unique vegetation. Taking on board these concerns the PWS deliberately located the track away from the sensitive vegetation on the Tyndall plateau and found a route for the track in the valley to the east of the Tyndall Range.
There is a suggestion by some that walkers on the track will explore off track and find their way onto the Tyndall plateau and do irreversible damage to the sensitive alpine vegetation through trampling. The experience on the Three Capes Track, the Overland Track and other tracks across the reserve network is that the percentage of people that walk off track in untracked land (not on signposted or recognised sidetracks) is extremely low and these walkers are not the target market for the NIW. This combined with the pre-walk briefings, on track signage and interpretation, and the presence of Host Rangers on track will further discourage any off-track exploration.
It is also important to note that there is an existing walking track from the western side of the Tyndall Range up onto the Tyndall plateau. This is a remote area with limited infrastructure or facilities and tends to be visited by more experienced walkers. The PWS is developing a maintenance plan for the track, and others in the area, to ensure continual protection of the plateau’s environment.
The West Coast receives a lot of rain, will anyone want to walk the track, and will it be safe?
Whilst it is acknowledged that this is one of the wettest places in Tasmania, the weather constitutes a part of the challenge and will form part of the experience for many. The area receives significantly less rainfall than both the Milford Sound and Routeburn tracks in New Zealand, with both walks being internationally recognised and highly sought-after experiences. The elements, including rain, water and their impact on geological processes will be a key interpretation theme of the walk; with water likely to be celebrated in unique ways.
The weather has been at the front of mind for the design team and the track, huts and other infrastructure has been designed to offer options and alternatives to suit different weather conditions. The current proposed route has been selected to be on the eastern side of the Tyndall Range, sheltered from prevailing winds, and at a lower altitude not on exposed alpine ridges, as has been raised by some as a safety concern. Educational information will be made readily available to prospective walkers before they book this iconic adventure relating to the terrain, level of fitness required, seasonal weather, clothing, food and equipment lists to ensure walkers are informed and prepared. Pre-walk briefings and gear inspections will be held in Queenstown before walkers commence their trip.
If an injury or safety concern arises, the Host Rangers will use their expertise and experience as first responders to assist walkers or, where required, liaise with emergency services for assistance in accordance with an emergency management plan that will be developed for the walk.
What has changed since the public information sessions?
In response to feedback from the public, and following more detailed market research, the PWS has made a number of changes to the plans that were presented in the public information sessions in 2024. The most notable changes are:
removing the stand-alone campsite at Lake Malcolm and providing tent platforms at the two hut sites;
moving the location of the pods to accommodate the tent platforms and to minimise vegetation clearance for bushfire management purposes;
increasing the number of pods from four to six to help reduce the price of tent-based camping which is much more price sensitive;
relocating the toilets to a central location accessible from all three accommodation types;
expanding kitchen/dining areas, expanding decks and walkways to cater for increased numbers at hut sites; and
increasing water storage, upgrading greywater capacity, increasing the number of toilet pods and other services and amenities to cater for the increased number of people at each overnight node.
Why was the campground moved back to the hut sites?
The PWS received a considerable amount of feedback from members of the public during the information sessions with issues or concerns about the campground and tent-based experience. Many people were worried that the second day, requiring over 20km of walking, would be too far for many people to walk safely, particularly in poor weather conditions. Many also thought one night was too short to justify the trip to the West Coast. Many people suggested that there would be a temptation to camp a second night somewhere on track, which would lead to environmental impacts or social impacts if people camped near the hut sites.
People also questioned how medical emergencies or risks of an approaching bushfire would be managed when the campsite was 4km from the nearest hut site with a staff presence and effective communication technology.
On the back of all this feedback, the PWS undertook market research to compare the demand for a stand-alone two-day one-night tent-based experience compared to a three-day two-night tent-based experience co-located at the hut sites with access to those facilities. This research confirmed there was significantly more demand for camping near the huts over two nights. When combined with the bushfire risk management, emergency management challenges, simplified servicing and maintenance, reduced development footprint (two overnight nodes vs three overnight nodes) it was a logical decision to co-locate the tent-based camping at the hut sites.
Where can I get more information?
The Location Assessment Report, Feasibility Study, Project Updates and other relevant information is available on the Next Iconic Walk webpage.