Retreat on Kunanyi

Friday 19 October 2018

Originally the plan was to walk from Lenah Valley up to the Retreat Hut then to Organ Pipes track and down the new Pinnacle track. To The Springs

Pomaderris elliptica Yellow Dogwood New Town Falls

Pultenaea juniperina Lenah Valley Track

Outcrop near New Town Falls

I had coordinates for the start of the Retreat track from when I went last, which was some time ago but it seems to have changed. We  followed the GPS compass over the rocks and quite soon came upon the well worn pad at the edge of the bushline, and it was then just a matter of continuing up from there.

Unburnt vegetation behind Retreat Hut

By the time the Retreat was reached it was clear that there was insufficient time to return via The Springs, if the planned finish by mid afternoon was to be met. Instead the Organ Pipes track was taken to The Chalet and the Old Hobartian used. We noticed the erosion near the Lost World and on other parts of New Town Rivulet.

One of the highlights of this most enjoyable walk was the wildflowers especially near the start and near New Town Falls.

There was a waratah planted by Jack Thwaites behind the Retreat  hut and Bob Wyatt remembers seeing it in flower. Now that I have a better idea where to look, I would like to go back in December when waratahs are usually in bloom.  If it still exists, it would be really nice to be to find. I would also like to locate the current start for the track, which is probably a bit obscure.

Elapsed time 5:15 and distance  11k

A photo album is online