Natural and European Heritage Feature Mix Trail

Wellington Park, Hobart

Distance: 4.8km

Mountain

This is a moderately challenging 2 hour loop from The Springs that visits a variety of vegetation types and features of European Historic Heritage interest. Start down the historic Radfords Track which was the old way to The Springs before there was a road. Steep and rocky but wide, it is shared with bikes so keep an eye and ear ahead and behind you. Pass Reids Track then Middle Track on your right and take the first left onto the Fern Gully Track at the monument to William Radford, who succumbed to hypothermia at age 19 after finishing the race to the Pinnacle in 1925. Cross the Fingerpost Track and look for the sign pointing to a very short side trip to Rocky Whelan's cave. This notorious bushranger hid out here while on the run after committing some very nasty deeds indeed! An interpretative sign tells his colourful story as you approach the cave. Cross the Pinnacle Road and head down the steep and slippery Woods Track then turn left at the bottom to cross O'Grady's Falls on a footbridge. Continue up to the top of the Betts Vale Track and turn right on the Circle Track which climbs briefly and meets Shoobridge Track. 5 mins along the Shoobridge Track brings you to the amazing Octopus Tree. Make sure you do a quick loop around the whole tree to understand how it got its name! Continue a few metres up Shoobridge Track then turn hard left up the North South Track to complete the final 1.1km gradually uphill to The Springs. Be careful of bikes sharing the North South Track. Finish with an organic hot chocolate from the Lost Freight Cafe at the Springs, where you will hopefully find some sunshine or a log fire.