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The Arthur Range is a
Much of the Arthur Range and the area surrounding land is covered by button grass wet sedgelands. Most of the remainder of the land is covered by eucalypt.
Birds are the most common animals (e.g.
mountain range
A mountain range or hill range is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground. A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have aris ...
in the South West Wilderness
The South West Wilderness of Tasmania, Australia is a remote and inaccessible region of South West Tasmania containing unspoilt scenery, rugged peaks, wild rivers, unique flora and fauna, and a long and rugged coastline. Parts of the wilderness ...
, located in south-west Tasmania
Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...
, Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
. The range is broken into two main sections, the Western Arthurs and the Eastern Arthurs. Both sections of the range are popular overnight bushwalking destinations, generally in summer.
History
The Arthur Range lies in the traditional country of the South-West Nation of the Aboriginal Tasmanian people and the traditional name is Loinnekumme (LOINNE.KUM.ME). The range was renamed byGeorge Augustus Robinson
George Augustus Robinson (22 March 1791 – 18 October 1866) was an English born builder and self-trained preacher who was employed by the British colonial authorities to conciliate the Indigenous Australians of Van Diemen's Land and the Po ...
for Governor George Arthur after Robinson climbed Mount Frederick (now Mount Hayes
Mount Hayes is the highest mountain in the eastern Alaska Range, in the U.S. state of Alaska. Despite not being a fourteener, it is one of the largest peaks in the United States in terms of rise above local terrain. For example, the Northeast Fa ...
) in March 1830.
In December 2018, a Par Avion plane being piloted by Nikita Williams crashed into the ranges. There was poor visibility at the time.
Geology
It is mainly composed ofQuartzite
Quartzite is a hard, non- foliated metamorphic rock that was originally pure quartz sandstone.Essentials of Geology, 3rd Edition, Stephen Marshak, p 182 Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tecton ...
and features evidence of past glaciation
A glacial period (alternatively glacial or glaciation) is an interval of time (thousands of years) within an ice age that is marked by colder temperatures and glacier advances. Interglacials, on the other hand, are periods of warmer climate be ...
such as moraines
A moraine is any accumulation of unconsolidated debris ( regolith and rock), sometimes referred to as glacial till, that occurs in both currently and formerly glaciated regions, and that has been previously carried along by a glacier or ice sh ...
and hanging valley
A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over a ve ...
s.
Flora and fauna
Much of the Arthur Range and the area surrounding land is covered by button grass wet sedgelands. Most of the remainder of the land is covered by eucalypt.
Birds are the most common animals (e.g. yellow-tailed black cockatoo
The yellow-tailed black cockatoo (''Zanda funerea'') is a large cockatoo native to the south-east of Australia measuring in length. It has a short crest on the top of its head. Its plumage is mostly brownish black and it has prominent yellow ...
s). In dryer areas, Pademelon
Pademelons () are small marsupials in the genus ''Thylogale'', found in Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. They are some of the smallest members of the macropod family, which includes the similar-looking but larger kangaroos and ...
s may also be seen.
Climate
The climate in the Arthur Range is extremely unstable – weather predictions are virtually useless here, as it is very common to have sun, heavy rain, cloud, strong winds, even snow all in the same day. The top of the range is classed as Sub-Alpine or Alpine. During winter these mountains are snow-capped. Snow has been experienced every season, with regular snowfalls during summer, though many of these snowfalls don't settle. The climate is mostly decided by the wind. The temperature can change very quickly with warm air from Northern Tasmania, or very cold air from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.Walking
As with other parts of Tasmania's south-west, the trails are extremely muddy – very frequently it is more than ankle deep. The mud does not dissipate with altitude up the mountain range either, except where there is bare rock. Like many other parts of Tasmania, this area is susceptible toPhytophthora
''Phytophthora'' (from Greek (''phytón''), "plant" and (), "destruction"; "the plant-destroyer") is a genus of plant-damaging oomycetes (water molds), whose member species cause economic losses on crops worldwide, as well as environmental dam ...
(root rot). To avoid spreading it, walkers are encouraged to stay to the main trail. In order to reduce mechanical damage to plants, walkers are also encouraged to wade through the middle of muddy track sections.
Hikers should ensure they are well prepared for any weather conditions, and have enough food for one or two extra days.
Western Arthurs
The Western Arthurs extends generally East-West from Mount Hesperus to West Portal. This section of the range was first traversed by Europeans in the early 1960s. Access to the Western Arthurs is usually from the Scotts peak dam camp site () via part of the Port Davey Track.
Lakes
The Western Arthurs are studded with many lakes formed from ice-age glaciers. Among these are: *Lake Oberon (): The subject of a well known photograph byPeter Dombrovskis
Peter Dombrovskis (; 2 March 194528 March 1996) was an Australian photographer, known for his Tasmanian scenes. In 2003, he was posthumously inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame, the first Australian photographer to achieve ...
, and where there are camping platforms
*Lake Cygnus (): Also has an established camp site
*Lake Ceres ()
*Square Lake ()
*Lake Fortuna ()
Mountains
From the north western end, closest to the Port Davey Track: * Mount Hesperus (1099m) * Mount Hayes (1119m) * Procyon Peak (1136m) * Mount Sirius (1151m) * Mount Pegasus (1063m) * Pegasus South (1053m) * Mount Capricorn (1037m) * Dorado Peak (1068m) * Mount Comumba (1042m) * The Dragon (1006m) * Mount Shaula (914m) * Mount Taurus (1011m)Eastern Arthurs
The Eastern Arthurs runs North-South from the end of the Western Arthurs and includes the highest peak of the range, the striking Federation Peak. This section of the range was first traversed in December 1947 by a group from the Hobart Walking Club.Lakes
From the north include: * Lake Leo * Lake Ron Smith * Lake Shaw * Earl Lake * Lake Cracroft * Lake Brewsher * Dragonfly Lake * Lake Payens * Lake Gaston * Hanging LakeMountains
From the north: * Cerberus Hill (541m) * East Portal (1008m) * The Dial (1083m) * The Gables (1058m) * Four Peaks (1062m) * Federation Peak (1225m) * Geeves Bluff (1152m)Named features
* Luckmans lead * Boiler Plates * Stuart Saddle * The Needles * Goon Moor * Thwaites Plateau * Devils Thumb * Bechervaise plateauSee also
*References
{{SouthWestTasmania , state=autocollapse Mountain ranges of Tasmania South West Tasmania