This post was contributed by Jordan Oakley. I asked him to contribute after stumbling across his gorgeous photos on Twitter. Jordan is a full-time university student. His genuine interest in bushwalking matured at the age of 17, when his parents took him to New Zealand for the first time. Since then he has visited New Zealand again, climbed Single Cone & Double Cone (The Remarkables), and walked up Mt Bogong, Mt Ossa, Mt Luxmore, Mt Olivier, and Pigeon House Mountain, as well as various other mountain trails. Take a look at Jordan’s personal website (Jordan’s website no longer exists) or follow him on Twitter.
During my recent travels to Tasmania I decided it would be nice to walk up to Frenchmans Cap. What motivated me, even more, was the fact that a lot of the infamous “Sodden Loddons” have now been avoided, thanks to Dick Smith’s generous donations. The deviation, “Laughton’s Lead”, is really great to walk on and saves a nice amount of time.
This area of Tassie is particularly beautiful. Huon pines are scattered throughout very lush bush. Lakes above 1000 metres sparkle in the afternoon Sun. Friendly native animals hang around the huts: Potoroos, Pademelons, and Spotted Quolls. Sharp grey needle-like mountains point up into the sky, the Quartzite Frenchmans Cap towering above. The landscape is incredibly dramatic, like no other part of Australia.
The walk overall is quite difficult, the hardest bit being the climb up to Barron Pass after Lake Vera Hut. The track going up there varies, from steps to a bit of scrambling up slippery rocks. However, once you finally emerge from the shadows of the tall trees, everything opens up and you are faced with a panoramic view (and a lovely spot to stop and have lunch).
The two huts on the walk are both really nice. Lake Vera Hut is spacious, has a little jetty 20 metres away, and attracts lots of animals. Lake Tahune Hut is smaller but in an amazing spot. It’s also really close to the lake, where there’s even a little beach. Additionally, they both have mattresses which are a nice touch.
The view from the top of Frenchmans is amazing. Sadly, a storm was settling in so the view was somewhat limited. There was also a bushfire about 15km away which let out a big line of dark orange smoke, making a really interesting atmosphere.
Overall, it was an amazing trip and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting that part of Tassie (there’s also great rock climbing for the more adventurous).
Crossing the Franklin River
Cute Pademelons
Sneaky Spotted Quoll
Lake Vera Hut
Barron Pass
Frenchmans from Barron Pass
Lakes seen from Barron Pass
Bushfire smoke
Frenchmans Cap summit cairn
Length (km): 46 km
Time (hrs/min): 3+ days
Grade: Difficult
Return / Circuit / One-Way / Partial Circuit: Return
Region: Tasmania
Park: Wild Rivers National Park
Further Details / Source(s): Full details can be found on the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service website or from TasTrails.
Have you hiked Frenchmans Cap? What did you think? Please let us know by commenting below.
My two friends Mick and Brian (aged 16) and I (aged 15)set off to climb Frenchmans Cap in the winter -May- of 1967. We hitch-hiked from Hobart and by the first night set up camp near the start of the sodden Loddens. Second night was at the first hut Lake Vera?(memory is fading)and then the third and fourth nights perched on a rock ledge not far below Barron’s Pass. On the first of those two nights the tents had blown and washed down, so we pulled them over us in an attempt to deflect the rain and waterfall coming from above. Fortunately after two nights there the weather cleared and our next day got us to Lake Tahune where we expected a second hut but none of our bushwalking friends in Hobart who knew of our plans was aware that the hut had been burnt down in the Feb ’67 bushfires that ravaged parts of Tasmania. But no problems, though the weather was cold it was now clear and dry and we had two magnificent nights there, climbing to the summit on the intervening day. That was my first lofty view of the west and south west of Tassie and I have been smitten for life. I still get the jitters when I think that we sat on the lip of the s.e. face with our legs dangling over the side. So our seventh day took us back to Lake Vera and day eight saw us out to the road after dark and in the rain. Some kind fellow picked us up in his ute and we spent the night with him at Lake St Clair huts before he took us all the way to Hobart on day nine. My first real adventure in the wilds of Tassie and by no means my last. Enjoy life, John
Hey John,
Thanks so much for your story! What an adventure! Sounds absolutely incredible. Did you have a camera?
Cheers
Neil
I did the walk back in the early 70’s when I was in my early twenties. I’m still haunted by memories of the magnificent beauty of the place. Back then the only dry method to cross the Franklin was by a flying fox (aerial conveyor belt).
I caught glimpses of the peak once again while on Christmas holidays a few weeks ago. I’m planning to go back there for the hike again maybe next Summer.
Hey Tom,
The flying fox sounds like fun! 🙂 Thanks for the comment and for checking out Bushwalking Blog. Hope you get back there next summer. I’d love to go and do this one myself. One day!
Cheers
Neil
Yep, pretty awesome place. First solo multi day hike I did.. and the photo on the front of the new map just happens to be one of mine ;)!!
Ha! Nice work on the photo Becca! 🙂
Thanks for commenting.
Cheers
Neil
I have never been but would for sure love to. Looks like a great place to hike.
Gorgeous captures
Hi Freya,
I haven’t been to this part of Tasmania either but if you ever have the opportunity, you should definitely get down there. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. More Tassie posts on the way over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned. Thanks for the comment and for reading!
Cheers
Neil
I hiked Frenchmans Cap back when I was 16 – and to this day is the best hike I’ve ever done! We took 8 days, walked in – through the Sodden Loddon and bush bashed our way out to the Franklin to drift on lilos through to the Irenabyss Gorge! Absolutely magical and 13 years on still the best walk I’ve done!
Thanks for sharing your trip and photos!
Hi Jen,
8 days sounds like a nice way to do it! Not to mention drifting through a gorge on lilos… Lovely. Thanks for your comment.
Cheers
Neil
Jen, that sounds incredible! Wow, what adventure. The lilos are a great idea.
Thank you for sharing that :).