The Port Davey Track, officially the Old Port Davey Track,
is a
bushwalking
Hiking is a long, vigorous walking, walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: ...
track located in the
south western region of
Tasmania
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, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
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, Australia. The track traverses remote wilderness within the
Southwest National Park
Southwest National Park is an Australian national park located in the South West Tasmania, south-west of Tasmania, bounded by the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park to the north and the Hartz Mountains National Park to the east. It is a ...
, part of the
Tasmanian Wilderness
The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, abbreviated to TWWHA, is a World Heritage Site in Tasmania, Australia. It is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering , or almost 25% of Tasmania. It is also one of the last e ...
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for ...
, and is managed as a wilderness walk. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service recommend that experienced bushwalkers can take four-to-five days to cover the track in one direction.
The track may be combined with the
South Coast Track
The South Coast Track is a bushwalking track located in the South Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. The track traverses remote wilderness within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site, and is ma ...
as a long continuous trek requiring around eight to fourteen days.
The track draws its name from
Port Davey
Port Davey is an oceanic inlet located in the south west region of Tasmania, Australia.
Port Davey was named in honour of Thomas Davey, a former Governor of Tasmania. Port Davey is contained within the Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour Marine Natur ...
, an
oceanic inlet named in honour of
Thomas Davey, a former
Governor of Tasmania
The governor of Tasmania is the representative in the Australian state of Tasmania of the Monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III. The incumbent governor is Barbara Baker, who was appointed in June 2021. The official residence of the ...
.
Features and location
From the
Scotts Peak Dam Road in the north, the track
trailhead
A trailhead is the point at which a trail begins, where the trail is often intended for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles. Modern trailheads often contain rest rooms, maps, sign posts and distribution centers for information ...
is located adjacent to the Huon Campground (), the southern terminus of the Scotts Peak Dam Road. The track heads south towards the
Arthur Range and then west to the Crossing Plains. Further south, the track runs adjacent to the
Crossing River, moving through the Lost World Plateau, following the Erskine Range to the west and the Rugby Range to the east. The track crosses the Spring River before it reaches the eastern side of Jo Page Bay, and to the point of crossing the
Bathurst Channel
The Bathurst Channel is a narrow offshore stretch of water that links Port Davey with Bathurst Harbour in the South West region of Tasmania
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, west of
Bathurst Harbour. The track's southern terminus is at where the track converges with the South Coast Track at the Melaleuca Visitor Services Site
[ of the Parks & Wildlife Service ().
The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service recommend trek time as follows:][
* Scotts Peak to Junction Creek - 3 hours
* Junction Creek to Watershed Camp - 8 hours
* Watershed Camp to Spring River - 5 hours
* Spring River to Melaleuca - 10 hours
Approximately 200 people walk the Port Davey track annually.
]
See also
* List of bushwalking tracks of Tasmania
References
Hiking and bushwalking tracks in Tasmania
South West Tasmania
Protected areas of Tasmania
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