Parsons Track - TAS

Parsons Track follows an old logging road up the escarpment of the Great Western Tiers to historic Hills Hut. This is an old logging hut used by Bruce Hill who worked there during the 1960s. It has recently been restored by the Mountain Huts Preservation. 5.2km return.Being an old logging road, the track to Hills Hut is quite obvious and open, though most of it is uphill. There are a few small recently restored bridges to cross and signs along the way marking various points of interest. There are many massive eucalyptus trees that line the track and sometimes you can hear and even see the resident black cockatoos and wedge-tailed eagles soaring above you. After about an hour of walking, you will reach the recently restored hut. This is a good base to sit and have some lunch or even stay the night if you’re equipped. There is a bush toilet and rainwater tank. In their restoration of the hut, Mountain Huts also created a new track to the ‘big tree’. This 300m side trip is worth doing. It begins behind the hut and takes the walker along a rough track beneath forests of tree fern to a massive moss covered Eucalyptus obliqua. Return to the carpark the way you came or continue up the track towards the plateau and the Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area. NOTE: The track after Hills Hut eventually becomes narrower and less well-defined. It will take the walker past the quaint Haberles Snaring Hut (5 hours return) set amidst an old myrtle forest and terminates at Lake Mackenzie on the plateau (10 hours return). The walk past Hills Hut increases in difficulty and is recommended for people with bushwalking experience and prior knowledge of the area. Navigational skills necessary after Haberles Hut.SAFE WALKING: Plan, be prepared, walk with friends, tell someone where you are going. Consider hiring an EPIRB from Service Tasmania (Launceston & Devonport) to prepare for emergency events. Make a personal determination as to your fitness and ability to