Why do I need to register for a walk?
Registering for walks helps to prevent overcrowding and damage to the environment of remote walking tracks, many of which are located in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).
The number of places available to register on each walk, reflects the capacity at the campsites located on these tracks.
Many sites cannot accommodate additional walkers due to the terrain and remote location. Overcrowding on these tracks has led to trampling of sensitive vegetation which may take many decades to recover.
By registering for your walk, you are helping the PWS to preserve the pristine environment in some of Tasmania’s wildest places, so that it may be enjoyed for generations to come.
To learn more about minimising your impact on track visit our Leave No Trace webpage.
Which walks do I need to register for?
Registration is in place for the following multi-day walks:
If the walk you are planning is not listed above, you do not need to register online.
All walkers should sign the walker logbook at the start and finish of your walk. Walker logbooks are located at the trail head of walking tracks.
We maintain a list of Multi-day walks on our website. Some do not require registrations.
How can I check availability and register for a walk?
To check availability and register, you need to be logged in to your walker registration account.
See the next FAQ for details on how to create and log in to your account.
Click on ‘Log in’ in the top-right corner of the Walker Registration website.
Once you have logged in, click on the purple ‘Register your walk’ button
Choose the walk you want to check availability for and click ‘Register now’
You will be taken to the availability calendar for that walk. Use the arrows to skip to the next month on the calendar.
The calendar shows the number of walker places available each day. It also indicates whether there are many, few or no spaces available.
Choose the day you want on the calendar. From the drop-down box below the calendar, choose how many walkers you are registering for. Enter your contact details including name, email phone and postcode.
How do I create a walker registration account?
On the Walker Registration website, go to ‘Log in’ in the top right corner of the page and click on ‘register now’.
Enter your first name, surname and email address and click ‘register account’. You will be sent an email with a link to verify your email address.
After verifying your account, you will be sent a second email with your login details including a temporary password.
Go to the ‘log in’ page on the walker registration site and enter your email address and temporary password. Your temporary password is case sensitive.
You will be prompted to change your password when you first log in to your account.
Can I use my park pass account to log in?
No, you will need to create a new account to access registrations. Your park pass account log in will not work in the registration system.
How do I log in to my account?
Once you have registered, you can log into your account by going to ‘Log in’ on the Walker Registration website.
Enter your email address and password and click ‘Log in’.
A verification code will be sent to your email address. Enter the verification code into the screen as prompted and click ‘Log in’.
You can now register for walks by clicking on the purple ‘register your walk’ button in the top right corner of the site.
What if I registered for a walk with Eventbrite?
Eventbrite registrations are still valid and you will be able to access them in the new system.
First, create a walker registration account using the same email address as your Eventbrite registration.
When you log into your account you can view, edit and cancel your existing bookings.
Can I access my Waterfall Valley registration?
Yes. Once you have created an account, you will be able to log in and view your existing Waterfall Valley registration.
Why can’t I register on some days?
It’s likely that the day you want to register for is already full. You will need to choose another day with availability for your walk or choose another track.
The date may also be unavailable due to track closures, because walkers can only depart on that walk on certain days, or the date you want isn’t open for registration yet.
Registrations are available up to one year in advance.
Check the Alerts webpage for walk closures.
What if I can no longer go?
If you can no longer go on your walk, please cancel your registration or change your walk date. This provides others with the opportunity to register and walk.
Walker registration is self-managed and in the spirit of bushwalker etiquette, PWS asks that walkers do not keep registrations for walks that they will not be undertaking.
How do I cancel a registration?
To cancel a registration, log into your walker registration account and go to ‘view my registrations’.
Find the registration that you want to cancel and click ‘cancel’. On the next screen, click ‘cancel’ to confirm your cancellation.
If you cancel a registration by mistake, you can make a new registration for the same date if available.
How do I change the date or details of my walk?
Log in to your walker registration account and go to ‘view my registrations’.
Find the registration that you want to change and click ‘edit’.
From here you can change the date (as long as the new date has space available) and update your walker numbers and details.
Click ‘Update’ to save your changes.
If there’s no availability for my walk date, can I still go?
Walkers should check if registration is required and register for their walk on their planned walk date before setting off.
If the date is full, as a courtesy to other walkers please change your plans and register for another time when spaces are available.
Alternatively, you may like to consider a different walk. Tasmania has many different walks to choose from – long and short – with various levels of difficulty (using the Australian Track Grading classification). Our Multi-day walks webpage lists all our Multi-day walks. Some do not require registrations.
Is there a waitlist?
No, there is no waitlist for walker registration. If your preferred date is fully registered, we suggest choosing another available date or another walk.
Keep an eye on your preferred date as plans can change and when registrations are cancelled, availability will update immediately.
Do I still need to fill in the walker logbook if I’ve registered?
Yes. Registering for your walk online and filling in the walker logbook serve two different purposes. The walker logbooks are there for your safety.
Registering online secures a walkers place to intentionally walk the track. Registering helps to manage overcrowding at campsites on remote tracks and helps prevent damage to the environment.
Walker logbooks are usually located in a booth or box near the start and end of walking tracks. Walkers fill in their trip intentions and start date and time of their walk.
This provides more detail to PWS and Search and Rescue in case of an emergency such as a bushfire, or if a walker is reported missing.
Remember to sign out of the logbook at the end of your trip so that we know you’ve left the area. For more safety tips see Safety in parks.
Can I camp in places other than the designated camp sites?
No. Designated camping sites have facilities that are designed to reduce impacts on the environment. In most cases, this includes platforms and remote toilet pods.
Camping in areas not designated for camping can potentially cause long-term damage to sensitive plants and soils.
Please stay within the designated campsites. Altering a site is not necessary. If you must use rocks to secure tents in an emergency, return them to their place when you leave.
Do I need to register for a day walk or trail run?
Registration is only required for walkers camping for one or more nights.
If there’s a chance that you may stay overnight (in the case of bad weather) we recommend registering your walk just in case.
If you have no intention of camping overnight, you do not need to register your walk.
I want to register a large group, how do I do it?
Separate registration is required on some walks for large groups. You will need to request access to group walks If you are a:
- Commercial tour group
- School or educational group
- Community group or club
- Rock climbing group (Frenchmans Cap)
- Group larger than the maximum number of walkers per group on any walk.
The number of walkers that can register per group are set by each track’s classification. Groups cannot exceed those numbers.
In areas such as the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, an approved Group Activity Authority is required.
To request access to group registration:
Create a walker registration account
Complete a Group Registration Enquiry Form.
Once your request has been reviewed and approved, we will notify you by email. When you next log in to your account, you will be able to see group specific registrations.
What if the weather is bad?
The weather in Tasmania’s wilderness is notoriously unpredictable, especially in alpine areas. PWS wants to ensure all people are safe and fully understand the risks of multi-day hiking.
Always check the Bureau of Meteorology for the weather forecast in the area that you are going to be walking before heading off. Understand that the weather can change quicky and be prepared.
If you have started your walk and the weather turns severe it may not be safe to continue. Use your discretion when deciding whether to continue your walk or turn around. If the safest thing to do is stay put and camp another night, PWS encourages you to do so.
If you have not started your walk and the weather forecast is indicating a severe weather warning, a bush walker weather alert or is otherwise unfavourable – don’t risk it. Cancel your walk and register for another time.
When you are planning your walk, Don’t plan to go when conditions are likely to be poor. Consider your experience level, the location and time of year, when planning your walk.
In remote areas the weather can change rapidly and snow is not uncommon even in summer. It is worthwhile having a back-up plan to walk in a different location if the weather is looking bad.
Please see the Safety in parks webpage for more information about walking safely.
Should I take a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)?
As phone signal cannot be relied on for communication on Tasmania’s remote bushwalking tracks, PWS strongly encourages hikers undertaking multi-day walks to carry a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
Many walkers appreciate the security of carrying a PLB to activate in case of a of a life-threatening emergency.
PLBs can be hired from:
Service Tasmania shops (Mon-Fri only) in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport. Phone 1300 135 513 for more information.
PWS Visitor Centres including Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and Mount Field, though numbers are limited and they cannot be reserved.
PLBs can also be purchased or hired from independent retailers that you can search via the internet.
If the track has huts, do I need to take a tent?
Yes. For your safety, it is extremely important that you carry a quality, 3-4 season tent as part of your kit.
Registering your walk does not guarantee a place inside a hut. Where huts are available, places are limited and walkers must be prepared to camp outdoors.
A tent is also crucial if there is an emergency on track; such as sustaining an injury or unexpected severe weather, making the conditions too dangerous to continue.
A tent allows you to seek shelter fast and keep yourself safe until the conditions improve.
Along with a reliable shelter, you also need to have the right sleep system, clothing, equipment and food for your walk.
For a full list of gear recommended for multi-day walks, see the Walker Pack List and Alpine Safety Checklist:
Alpine Walker Pack List and Safety Checklist (PDF 705Kb)