South Coast Track

Southwest Wilderness Coast

By World Wild Places

May 19^th, 2017

South Coast Tract connects Cockle Creek, the Southernmost Australian settlement, and Melaleuca, an old mining site with gravel airstrip and free cabins to stay in. The 85 km- long tract leads through the pristine Tasmanian Southwest wilderness. There are numerous campsites along the way, possible side trip options, and a wide variety of environments and scenery.

Most people fly in to Melaleuca (250 AUD), or use 70 kilometer long Port Davey Track from Scotts Peak Dam to reach this area. I walked from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca in the autumn, and there where lots of rain. I continued to the Southwest Cape, and then flew out from Melaleuca. It took 7 days to reach Melaleuca and 7 more trying to do the Southwest Cape Circuit. While I did not have a food drop, it is an option to send yourself a package to Melaleuca with Par Avion.

Some investments have been made into the South Coast Tract and construction of boardwalks has already started. There is a good chance that in the near future there will also be huts along the trail, making it a nice alternative to the Overland track.

South East Cape Bay and South Cape Rivulet

Very muddy track at South Cape Range Rainforest

Granite Beach waterfall and Surprise Bay

Osmiridium Beach

There is a boat crossing in New River Lagoon. To get there, walking though the Milford Creek is required as the sand dune on the east side has been wash out into the sea.