Today we're walking a bit closer to home, from the Waterworks up and around Chimney Pot Hill. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Not the way Bob takes us.
Parking outside the gate to the Waterworks Reserve, we set out across the lower dam, heading for our first track.
 |
| Ready to set off |
 |
| Across the lower dam. |
The original was constructed in the 1860s, it was later reconstructed in the 1890s. This was Hobart's first water supply.
 |
| Local politicians giving themselves a pat on the back in the 1890s |
 |
| Earlier politicians giving themselves a pat on the back in the 1860s |
We pick up the track on the other side which runs through the bush just above the reservoirs.
We continue on, turning uphill on a paved section that has no name than taking another right onto a track that leads up through the bush. I should add that at no time are we heading towards Chimney Pot Hill.
 |
| Reservoir is below to our left |
 |
| This track was, the first time Bob took us on it, just a narrow, overgrown track |
Now it's a dual use track that will eventually lead us up to the Huon Road.
Eventually we cross the Huon Road, walking up until we reach the start of another track. This is on the other side, so over we go.
This track runs along above the road. We don't stay on it for long before Bob heads up into the bush. After a climb we reach an old road and head towards a spot for Morning Tea.
 |
| Morning Tea |
It's been trying to drizzle off and on, but hasn't amounted to much yet. Geoff is making a sacrifice by pulling on his wet weather gear on the theory that this is sure to make the drizzle stop.
 |
| Looking back |
Tea finished, we walk on for a short distance until Bob leads us into the bush. Walking up, following a very old track sometimes marked by stone edges, Bob loses his bearings and has to have a look around for the 'track' he wants. It's close by so off we go.
 |
| The track Bob was looking for |
You can tell it's a track, right? Well marked, well used, stands out like a sore thumb.
We continue until we find an open space, where we head right.
 |
| We're heading towards the junction of Huon Road and Strickland Avenue |
The track we turned off of before Morning Tea also reaches this point, but runs beside the road all the way.
We cross over, heading down Strickland Ave. Need I say that this is completely the opposite direction we should be going.
 |
| Down Strickland Avenue |
As we walk, Peter's wife drives by and as he waves he wonders how he's going to explain why we're walking down Strickland Avenue when he told her we're walking to Chimney Pot Hill. Should be a good story.
We continue down until the start of another track appears across the road. Over we go to start up the Rivulet Fire Trail. We don't walk far before heading off to the left, up another track that seems to have no name. It climbs through the bush and over a couple of logs until it reaches the Bracken Lane Fire Trail, where we head left, downhill.
 |
| Bracken Lane Fire Trail |
 |
| Misty hills |
 |
| The sun came out just for us |
We get some good views of Mount Wellington and the Organ Pipes.
 |
| Mount Wellington |
 |
| The Organ Pipes |
I really have to restrain myself from commenting on the proposed cable car.
On we go, turning off onto the Fingerpost Track, continuing up hill to a main junction of several tracks.
 |
| Main track junction |
We follow the Bracken Lane Fire Trail. Sound familiar?
It's about here a discussion takes place as to which tower we're closer to. The communications tower on Chimney Pot Hill or the Transmission tower on Mount Wellington, fondly known as the "Condom".
After much distance measuring and crunching of numbers, I can tell you that, at this point, Chimney Pot Hill is closer by 825 metres.
Not all that far.
We reach and cross Pinnacle Road to enter the Pillinger Drive track. As we walk, we come upon a warning re track closures. Seems the Hobart Council are doing some work ahead.
We reach the Fern Glade Track, hoping to cross and continue on the Pillinger Drive track, but it's blocked by an orange plastic barrier complete with closed signs. As we reach it, a gentleman who has come from the other direction arrives and gives us the advice that we can continue on and just turnoff at the Fern Tree Church. Which is what we do.
 |
| Obstacles are meant to be overcome |
Reaching the Saint Raphael's Church, we walk down to the roadway.
Fern Tree Park is a hive of activity and only one lane is open. They kindly stop traffic in both directions to let us cross as we're heading to the Pipeline Track.
 |
| Fern Tree Park |
We start down the Pipeline Track, but it's not long before we hit an obstruction. A bit of wind damage offers us a chance to make individual choices of how to continue.
 |
| Make your own way through |
 |
| Looking up |
Safely through, we head down the old track leading to the old aqueduct supports and back to the main track. Water was taken from farther up the mountain and carried originally in wooden troughs down to the Waterworks. Later this was replaced with covered sandstone channels and later still, iron pipes.
 |
| One of the old aquaducts with the old iron pipe clamped to the side. |
 |
| Beautiful stone work |
It's a pleasant walk down to the junction of Huon Road and Chimney Pot Hill Road. Here there is a small picnic area where we have lunch.
After lunch and after Bob has given some directions to some tourists who stopped by, we begin our final climb for the day, heading the track through the old quarries, turning off at the top onto a small bush track.
 |
| Heading up after lunch |
 |
| Top of the bush track, onto the paved access road to the communications tower |
 |
| Curvy paved section that leads up to the communications tower |
We reach the equipment enclosure, walking along the fence to the old hut at the top.
There is a small stone hut here that overlooks Hobart.
 |
| Old hut |
I have tried to find something about this hut a number of times, but the only mention I can find is this one from my 2015 blog.
I did find mention in David Leaman's book, Walk Into History In Southern
Tasmania, of something that sounds familiar, and I quote in part.
"Imagine the the aerial railway which was authorized by Act of
Parliament in 1905. It has yet to be built... Arguments and proposals
continue; the latest being consigned to a dust bin in 1995."
Lets hope history repeats itself.
Returning along the fence we turn down a steep, cleared track that was used to bring cables up to the comms tower. It's been cleared since the last time we were here and it's a bit tricky walking down as it's slippery with cut grass etc.
We cross a track that's unnamed and continue down to Chimney Pot Hill Road.
 |
| Another descent with cutting grass |
 |
| On the way down |
We cross over the road onto another track and more evidence of work going on around the Waterworks.
 |
| Lots of equipment and a gentleman having lunch in the back of the truck |
We bear left here onto another fire trail. This will takes us down to the site of McDermotts farm where more track work is taking place.
 |
| Track work at McDermotts farm |
We follow the fire trail down until we come to a track leading down to the Upper reservoir.
 |
| Almost there |
We're walking on the paved roads leading to the various picnic and barbecue areas when I realize everyone is stopped ahead.
 |
| The reason for the stoppage |
He's really concentrating on something. Not interested in us and not at all concerned by our presence.
 |
| The reason he's stopped is because some people are having a barbecue just where that gentleman is on the left |
Our furry friend is hoping to pickup a free feed!
On we go, back to the cars, having skirted around our friend above.
We had 11 walkers and covered 13.57km in 4:10hrs moving time or 4:53 all up.
The weather was not a problem and it was a good walk thanks to Bob.
Click here to download GPX file
