Picket Hill - 25 Aug 2026

Our walk today is from the Kingborough Sports Centre's car park on a circuit through the surrounding hills behind Kingston to Picket Hill returning to the car park.

The weather forecast indicated that the rain would be gone by the time of our normal departure but it was not be so a smaller group than usual braved the inclement conditions. 

Preparing for the walk ahead.

Up the track to go under the highway.

Once under the highway we headed up the track adjacent to Huon Highway and find these fungi growing on the edge of the track.

Then there is a family of them.

Heading up the hill.

An example of rock placement for our cairn building duo.

Commencing the final climb up Picket Hill who unfortunately are away in warmer climes.

With a partial view of the mountain.

Nearly to the top Joy.

Another mountain view with spring bulbs in the foreground.

Kingston under low cloud from our morning tea stop and the has drizzle disappeared.

Down the track towards Leslie Vale Road.

Cathedral Rock from Parkdale Road.

The view from Picket Hill.

Now for the downhill part of the walk.

 

 A flat section through the bush.

 

 

And somewhat muddy after the rain. 

 

 

Initially we thought this was a gum nut but on closer examination it looks like it was made by an insect or spider for shelter as it was fixed to the side of the stick.  No doubt Mother Nature at work. 

 

 

And it was found just behind where we stopped for lunch. 

Heading out of the bush onto Hackford Drive.

Passing the houses on the way to go under the highway. 

This very cute brown sheep was feeding her two new lambs.

We had 8 walkers who walked 11.5 kms and climbed and descended 380 meters in 3.75 hours.

Although the walk started of wet we had shed the waterproof gear within an hour and enjoyed a relatively easy stroll around the outskirts of Kingston.

 Thanks to Ron for his photos and maps. 

 

The Springs - Wellington Falls - 18 Aug 2026

Today's walk was going to be The Springs to Snake Plains returning to the Springs but we had been told that Snake Plains was very wet and muddy so we changed our walk to The Springs to Wellington Falls and return.

The forecast was for a fine day with light winds and no rain so a great day to be walking on the mountain.

The group readying themselves for the task ahead. 

 

Setting of up the track from the Springs. 

Heads down but we are nearly to the Milles Track.

Our first view from the Milles Track over Kingston and across to South Arm.

One of the mountain creeks being directed into Hobart's water supply.

Following a channel alongside the track that directs more water into the system.

The Milles Track.

Our next view across the D'entrecasteaux Channel to Bruny Island.

Mount Nelson and the Derwent River.

The track gets rockier past Snake Plains turnoff.

The mountain pinkberries putting on quite show the whole way.

The boulders through the eucalypt forest.

Cathedral Rock in the distance.

Disappearing Tarn that has disappeared.

Enjoying morning tea at Disappearing Tarn.

And if we thought getting to Disappearing Tarn through the boulders was a struggle then The Potato Field was quite the challenge.

Off we go.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back.

Even higher.

A view across the Channel from the boulder fields.

A "Lord of the Rings" forest.

Alongside the track but no idea what it was.

Some track work.

Morris leading us down to the view of Wellington Falls.

Wellington Falls with plenty of water flow.

A pleasant lunch spot.

 

On the floor of the Richea Forest.

Some of the forest is very dense.

And we changed our walk so we would not get too wet or muddy??

Back across the boulder fields on the return journey.

But only two photos.

Heading up hill from the Disappearing Tarn.

Nearly back to Snake Plains turnoff.

On the Mille Track at last and just about back to the cars.

 

We had nine walkers who walked 14.1 kms   in 7.5 hours climbing and descending a total of 440 meters each.

 

A long a hard walk but a good walk on the mountain.

 

Thanks to Ron for his photos.