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Southwest Traverse

Australia

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3 reviews

9 Days from

$5890 USD

Trip Code: WAG

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Duration

9 Days

Activities

8 days trekking with a full pack, 1 rest/contingency day

Accommodation

8 nights camping

Meals

8 Dinners
8 Lunches
9 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

8 / 10

Entry level Mountaineering or Exploratory Treks

Carbon Footprint

25kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(222kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Spectacular and challenging ridge walking
Tasmania's most glaciated mountain landscape
High altitude glacial lakes
Endemic alpine flora
Extraordinary side trips to high peaks

Overview

Located within the remote Southwest National Park of Tasmania, the Southwest Traverse is one of Australia’s most iconic and challenging bushwalking journeys. Our nine-day itinerary allows enough time - weather permitting - to complete a traverse of Moraine A–K from from Scotts Peak Dam with a contingency day built in to account for the region’s highly variable conditions.

Over eight days on the Track, the route follows a spectacular and exposed line along rugged quartzite ridges, taking in features such as the Beggary Bumps and the Tilted Chasm. This is a demanding, full-pack, bushwalk through a truly wild and committing landscape.

As with all journeys in this environment, conditions play a significant role. Weather, track conditions, and group factors may influence daily progress, and completion of the intended route cannot be guaranteed. A flexible approach and a willingness to adapt are essential to getting the most from this experience.

This trip is designed for experienced bushwalkers with a strong level of fitness and resilience. Participants must be confident carrying a full pack for extended periods and be comfortable with rock scrambling, steep terrain, and sustained exposure to height in alpine environments.

Itinerary

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Get ready for your first breathtaking glimpse of the range! We depart Launceston at 6:00am, journeying through the rolling landscapes toward the serene Scott's Peak Dam. The drive is a scenic 5-6 hours, with restful stops along the charming towns of Campbell Town and New Norfolk. Along the way, morning tea is served, giving you a chance to stretch and soak in the countryside before arriving at the peaceful Scott's Peak dam. After a light, energizing lunch, we set off on our trek to Junction Creek, following a well-trodden track that meanders past sparkling creeks and verdant wilderness. The trail can be delightfully muddy in wetter conditions, adding to the sense of adventure. By late afternoon, around 5pm, we set up camp near Junction Creek, our feet slightly damp but spirits high from the day’s explorations. Walking Distance: 8.8km Walking Time: 3-4 hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

The main exertion of the day is the climb of Alpha Moraine, gaining approximately 900m in elevation to reach the northern end of the Western Arthur Range. In sunny weather, the tough climb rewards walkers with spectacular views back towards Lake Pedder and Mt Anne! Once on the range the track undulates past ragged quartz outcrops and alpine moorland before a final steep decline into Lake Cygnus. Walking Distance: 7.3km Walking Time: 5-8hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

Today we pass Mt Hayes, continuing along the trail toward Square Lake, where we plan to stop for lunch. The first steep descent along the traverse takes us into the chasm and down to Lake Oberon. This section requires careful rock scrambling, and packs may need to be hauled. It demands focus and teamwork, and conditions can significantly affect the pace. Walking Distance: 4.2km Walking Time: 5-8 hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

Today is a contingency/rest day. This day may fall anywhere within the itinerary depending on group and weather conditions.

Meals: B,L,D

After breaking camp, the traverse becomes significantly more physical. Progress beyond Lake Oberon will be carefully assessed based on weather and the group’s preparedness; if conditions or ability are not sound, objectives may be adjusted to ensure safety. The route passes through numerous gullies and climbing sections where pack hauling and teamwork are essential. Mt Pegasus and Mt Capricorn are highlights along the way, with opportunities to pause for rest as conditions allow. The day is rewarded with expansive views of the Southwest and striking evidence of the region’s past glacial activity. Tonight's camp at High Moor will feel very exposed in windy conditions. Walking Distance: 4.2km Walking Time: 8-12hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

Today takes us through the jagged peaks of the Beggary Bumps. After leaving camp we encounter the steep and difficult descent into the Tilted Chasm, which can take multiple hours. Negotiating this section of the Western Arthurs is challenging, requiring careful rock scrambling and full concentration, but is rewarded with raw alpine views including Federation Peak and the Eastern Arthurs. Tonight's camp is at the shelter site of Haven Lake. Walking Distance: 3.8km Walking Time: 8-14hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

Today marks a major milestone as we begin the descent from the Western Arthurs. The track down Kappa Moraine challenges walkers with steep and rugged terrain, requiring concentration, and offering you a profound sense of accomplishment as the buttongrass plains gradually open out below you. Reaching the McKays Track junction and camp for the night is a significant achievement, reflecting the skill, endurance, and teamwork of the group over the traverse. Walking Distance: 7.7km Walking Time: 4-6hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

From our camp, we follow the McKays Track back toward Scott's Peak Dam. This section runs parallel to much of the terrain we’ve traversed over the past six days, offering long stretches of flat trail where your mind can wander and reflect on the journey so far. About halfway along, we pass Junction Creek, where the adventure began, a quiet reminder of how far we’ve come. At the end of the trail, we are met by our driver and spend the evening at Scott's Peak Dam with a bush BBQ, celebrating the completion of the traverse. Walking Distance: 20km Walking Time: 7-9 hours, depending on conditions and pace

Meals: B,L,D

We wake this morning and from around 9am transfer to Hobart where the trip concludes. It is an approximately 3.5 hour drive, with a stop along the way. We will drop you off the Hobart Grand Chancellor, around lunchtime. Times are an estimate only and subject to any delays. For guests who would prefer to travel back to Launceston you are invited to stay on board and join us for the 3hr journey back to the North of the island.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What's included?

Included

2 professional wilderness guides
8 nights camping
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
Food drop provisions and ground support
Transport by private minibus
National park fees
Tent & inflatable sleeping mat
Group camping equipment including all cooking and eating equipment
Emergency communications and group first aid kit

Not included

Travel to and from Launceston
Accommodation before and after the trip
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, car parking in Launceston etc
Travel insurance

Reviews (3)

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Extra trip info

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The Southwest Traverse is our most challenging trip so you will need to have an excellent level of fitness. Previous hard, multi-day bushwalking experience is ESSENTIAL. Basic rock-climbing skills are desirable and it is recommended that these are refreshed prior to joining this expedition. You will need to be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions and remote locations where evacuation may be very difficult. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect. Your participation is up to the full discretion of the Tasmanian Expeditions Operations Manager in consultation with senior expedition leaders, who will need to discuss your suitability for this experience.

It is a condition of booking a tour with us, and your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured for the full duration of the tour in respect of illness, injury, pre-existing medical conditions, death, loss of baggage and personal items and cancellation and curtailment. You must provide evidence to TEX that you have obtained personal travel insurance. You must ensure that your personal travel insurance covers all of the activities you expect to participate in.

For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 70-90 litres in capacity. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be between 20-25kg.

This walking adventure involves trekking in remote areas for up to 12 hours a day, possibly more, over rugged and varied terrain. The tracks may be long, rough and very steep. There will be creek and river crossings, walking on sand and through mud. There is a high degree of height exposure on certain sections on the the trek. With remoteness comes potential to encounter variable weather conditions.

No. Previous multi-day bushwalking experience is essential, as is previous experience on a full pack trek.

No. We will not have access to power along the track. We suggest you bring the required number of portable chargers and cables you require for your devices.