Charles King Memorial Hut, Melaleuca
Charles King Memorial Hut, Melaleuca

Melaleuca

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Alerts for Melaleuca

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Closed area: West Picton Road - status update
Applies from 23/5/2023​West Picton Road (prior to Riveaux Creek) is closed due to the deterioration of three structures along the road.

Both Farmhouse Creek and Mt Picton walking tracks remain open.

A vehicle turnaround and car parking bay have been provided at the West Picton Road closure.

A 15-20 vehicle parking area has been created adjacent to the new closure.

Farmhouse Creek walking track requires an extra 7.1km (one-way) walk along West Picton Road from its closure prior to Picton River Tributary.  

Also, the pedestrian bridge over Farmhouse Creek has been closed, so walkers will need to ford Farmhouse Creek to continue their walk. 

Water levels fluctuate according to rainfall, so walkers need to make their own assessment of conditions before crossing.

Mt Picton walking track requires an extra 7.2km (return) walk along West Picton Road and then West Picton Road Spur 1-2 from its closure prior to Picton River Tributary. 

Further information can be found at: https://sttas.com.au/access-permits/road-and-track-closures

Last reviewed 1/11/2023 09:18 AM


Safety alert: Farmhouse Creek walking track - changed access
Applies from 22/6/2022
​​​​The last 7.2 km of West Picton Road has been closed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania. 

This is the access road to both Farmhouse Creek walking track (also known as Eastern Arthur Range Traverse), and the Mount Picton Track, within Southwest National Park. 

For Farmhouse Creek Track, this will require an additional 7.2km one way walk (14.2km return) along West Picton Road. The pedestrian bridge over Farmhouse Creek has also been closed, and therefore walkers will need to ford the creek to reach the trailhead.

For Mt Picton Track, this will require an additional 7.2km return walk along West Picton Road and West Picton Road 1-2.

Visitors can park prior to the closure, which will fit approximately 3-4 vehicles.  

Last reviewed 27/9/2023 04:42 PM


A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.

About

Tucked into the far south-west corner of Tasmania is the tiny settlement of Melaleuca. Originally established for tin-mining by the King family, it can only be reached by light plane, boat or by multi-day walks on the South Coast or Port Davey Tracks. Melaleuca was home to Deny King – a well-known miner, bushman, naturalist and artist – from 1936 until his death in 1991. You can explore his story and the other pioneers of the area, in the Deny King Heritage Museum located near the airstrip and try and imagine what life was like for him and his family in this remote location.

Today, Melaleuca attracts a variety of visitors. For bushwalkers undertaking the multi-day South Coast Track or Port Davey Tracks, Melaleuca is the start, finish or halfway point of their walk. The settlement is also popular with commercial and private boat-based visitors who are exploring the magnificent Port Davey-Bathurst Harbour area. Scenic flights bring day visitors in and bird watchers are attracted by the opportunity to glimpse the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot. These small, beautifully-coloured parrots are on the brink of extinction. The area around Melaleuca is the only place in the world that they breed, between October and late-March. Volunteers observe, monitor and record information about the parrots during their breeding phase. 

Visitors can also experience local Aboriginal culture on the Needwonnee Walk. Along this 1.2 km boardwalk visitors can view the living and changing sculptural installations, made from natural materials, and share the stories of the Needwonnee people.

Facilities at Melaleuca include a gravel airstrip, toilets, two walkers huts that sleep 20 people, a small campsite, the Deny King Heritage Museum, Needwonnee Walk and a bird hide.

Contact

Huonville Office
22 Main Street
Office usually staffed 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday
Huonville TAS 7109
Phone: 03 6121 7026
Email: Huonville@parks.tas.gov.au