Waterworks Reserve to Chimney Pot Hill - 10 Feb 2026.

The walk today takes us from the Waterworks Reserve up to Ferntree and then following the Pipeline track and climbing Chimney Pot Hill before returning to the Waterworks Reserve.

 Starting off across the Lower Dam wall.

Entering the forest on the western side of the dams.

One of the old fallen moss covered  logs alongside the track.

Not a lot of water in the storage system at the moment.

Heading up the hill away from the dams.

A bit of a rest on the climb.

We then followed the new track that takes you to above Gentle Annie Falls. Very impressive track.

Leaving morning tea at the top of Gentle Annie Falls.

After crossing Huon Road we followed a MTB trail up the hill to Bracken Lane.

After leaving Bracken Lane we re-entered the forest and was surprised to see this large Leatherwood in full flower at the entry of the track.

An amazing site.

Heading towards Fern Tree.

After crossing back over Huon Road we passed the early constructed Water Supply structures.

A proper bushwalk with a bit of mud.

Heading down the Pipe Track.

The beginning of the last climb towards Chimney Pot Hill.

Mount Wellington covered in cloud.

Starting the descent heading down off Chimney Pot Hill.

A bee collecting pollen from a TeaTree.

New life bursting from what looks like a damaged Eucalypt tree.

 We had 17 walkers who covered 11.8 kms and climbed and descended 450 meters over 5.5 hour.

 An enjoyable walk although a bit steep in places. 

Thanks to Mendelt for his photos. 

Hartz Mountain - 3 Feb 2026

We are back at  Hartz Mountain with fine weather forecast rather thatn the sleet and rain that we experienced about 7 weeks ago.

 The initial part of the track is enclosed in lots of bush.

There were a few waratah's still in flower.

And one of the walkers was very happy getting up close and personal with her favorite Tasmanian plant.

 

Alpine Groundsel - Senecio pectinatus.

 

Mountain Gentian - Gentianella diemensis

Sunlight reflecting of the Pandani.

The orange colored new growth of the Myrtle was standing out.

Our objective Hartz Mountain.

Lady's Tarn.

The color of the Myrtle stands out on the range.

This tree has been standing on the Hartz Plateau for the 40 years.

 

 

A couple of happy walkers. 

 

And then we start the climb away from the Plateau.

 

 

Past the first climb before ascending to the mountan.

 

 

 

Looking back down the track.

The South West is now coming into view.

Looking down on Hartz Lake.

 

 

Taking in the first big view across to the South West. 

 

 

 

Precipitous Bluff and Ironbound Range.

 

Finally on the top of Hartz. 

The Trig Point.

 

 

Climbing the last scree to the top. 

Looking towards Snowy Mountain.

 

 

 Federation Peak.

 

Precipitous Bluff.

 

 

 

One of the local grasshoppers on the mountain top. 

Lunch on the top.

 

 

 

 

On the return trip. 

Scrambling down from the top.

A last look back at the peak.

Mountain Rocket - Bellendena montana

Milligania densiflora. 

Close-up of the new growth on the Myrtle.

Haydyn managed to get this photo of a Leprea Brown butterly and Morris identified it when he returned home.

 

The last descent before the board walk back to the car.

 

 

 

 

 

We had 17 walkers but only 11 made the peak with an 8km return walk climbing 400 meters  over 4.5 hours.

 

The weather was exceptional in not being too hot but the high cloud and light breeze made for  a very pleasant walk.

 

Thanks to Ron, Mendelt, Chris and Lyn for their photos.