Pelverata Falls 2019

Today I was supposed to take the group on a walk from Tolmans Hill, overlooking Hobart, but the weather forecast prompted a change.

We were due for 29-30C (85-86F) temperatures and winds. Dry lightning had started about 80 bushfires around the state and smoke covered much of the island.

When everyone who was going to walk today had turned up, I suggested we find another walk. I suggested the Tramway Track at Margate as most of it is in shade. Bob came up with the Pelverata Falls walk which is also in shade and one we haven't done in a while which made it the better choice, so off to Pelverata we go.

Plenty of parking when we arrive. I didn't expect too many other people would choose today to go bush.

A cheery start to the track, complete with free legal advice

The beginning of the walk passes through private properties and we come upon this enticing offer on the way.

Unusual special. A three bedroom building site, and 85 old computers

I realize that probably only computer nerds will get the joke about 85 acers. Trust me when I say it's funny. (Acer is a computer manufacturer)

We move on, the track takes us through a variety of areas.

Fairly wet in the winter

This area has been logged in the past and as I was taking some photos, I found out we weren't the only people silly enough to walk today. A young couple came up behind us and swept past at a rate of knots with a friendly greeting.

I'm pretty sure they will be at the falls before us, but we will have talked more!

Soon, Bob finds a good spot for Morning Tea, so we stop for a break.

Morning Tea. There are more of us behind that tree

Break finished, on we go. The track has been a typical bush track up to now, but as we get closer to the falls, it becomes more and more rocky.

I mentioned before that it's been a while since we've been here, and we discover that much work has been done on the track since then.

The route has been changed to eliminate some of the more bracing sections and a couple of safety barriers have been erected.

Ron admiring one of the new safety barriers

There was a point on the old track where you had to walk around the bottom of a large rock with a steep drop at your back. Now the track misses that and heads uphill via a couple of scrambles before rejoining the original route farther on.

At one point you have to climb up a large rock and a "Senior's Rail", as I heard it called, has been installed as an aid. I didn't find it much of a help.

We pass the cairn marking the start of a track to the top of the falls and soon rejoin the old track leading to the lookout platform.

You can make out the handrail just right of centre of the photo

The new track

Looking up at Slippery Falls

The viewing platform

Looking down from the platform

The ridge line

There was some discussion about a feature near the falls that appeared, from a distance, to be a dumped vehicle. A long distance photo shows it to be just a fallen rock.

Looking up at the base of the falls disclosed our young friends from earlier. Not a good photo, unfortunately.

We did see them again when they passed us on the way back and they reported the falls dry.

Pelverata Falls

We start our way back and we'll have lunch on the way.

Looking down the valley

Nice little slope here offers a quick way to the bottom

Lunch

It's a nice walk back.

We had 7 walkers and covered 6.74km in 2:38hrs moving time. A good walk for the conditions, thanks to Bob for suggesting it.