Walking trails near Derby - Jen's favourite wanders
/Blue Tier Big Tree Giant Walk
One of my favourite wanders, a circuit on the Blue Tier Plateau offers something for everyone. The Big Tree (commonly called a Swamp Gum or Giant Ash) is the widest living tree in Australia.
Trail signage on this walk is easy to find from start to finish
The Cradle Tree is another tall old tree of the area and is indicative of the trees which were so crucial to the protesters who fought to save the Blue Tier area from logging in 2004.
These huge old trees are complemented by musk, myrtle, mosses and ferns. Nestled in the bush you can also see old abandoned mining equipment such as the Anchor Stampers – for those with an interest in mining history the details are on sign boards near the machinery.
Be aware of snakes in the warmer months, generally making a bit of noise as you walk and looking where you are going will prevent encounters with snakes.
From Weldborough follow the Tasman Highway towards St Helens. The turnoff (on the left) to Lottah Road (Blue Tier MTB Shuttle Road) and the Blue Tier Giant Walk is clearly signposted 7 km from Weldborough (and less than 3km after you turn off the highway)
Ralph Falls
A one hour and ten min drive and about 60km from Derby, Ralph’s Falls are on Mt Victoria Road about 25 min (13km from St Columba Falls) or 30 min from Pyengana.
The road into the Ralphs Falls Carpark can be rough, especially after rain. Take care and be prepared to turn around if it becomes too challenging for your driving experience or vehicle capability.
Ralphs Falls are a 20 minute return walk from the car park or a 50 minute loop which is well worth it if you have the time and energy.
The falls themselves plunge down a sheer drop over vertical strata of rock, you will view the falls from across the gorge and will also get great views of the Ringarooma Valley from the viewing platform.
I think these are among the most spectacular falls I’ve seen, not for volume of water but for the vertical stratas of rock. The moss and lichen you will see on the walk are stunning and you’ll also cross some of Tassie’s famous duckboard walkways on the longer circuit walk. The duckboards are a raised walkway above fragile marshland, these allow you to cross this fragile ecosystem keeping your shoes dry and protecting the delicate marsh land and bogs beneath.
Be warned that if you do visit on a cloudy or wet day you may find your views obscured by the mist, although the misty view is stunning in its own way, the falls and valley view are worth seeing on a clear day.
Text: Jen Benson