Philosopher Falls - Water Race Track
Philosopher Falls are on the upper reaches of
the Arthur River near Waratah. Waratah is on what could be called the
back road to Cradle Mountain from Burnie. Just a 45 minute drive if
you take the road through the Surrey Hills tree plantations. A more
attractive drive is through the Hellyer Gorge from Somerset - a suburb of
Burnie. From Waratah there is a left turn to Savage River and Corinna.
The turn is at the service station - best hamburgers in Tasmania! 9
1/2 kilometres from the turnoff is a narrow road to the right through dense
forest.
About a kilometre along the road the start of
the track to the falls is encountered. In March 2010 the track to the
falls was reopened after a $1M upgrade. The access road from the Savage
River road has also been upgraded including the construction of a new car
park. The new track can only be described as magnificent.
For the first 20 minutes of the walk track
gently descends to a new footbridge over the Arthur River. Before the
construction of the bridge the old track took a right turn and continued on
to the base of the falls.
A new track has been constructed on the
western side of the river. The track follows an old water race which was
built to supply water to the nearby
Magnet Mine which closed in 1940. After another 20 minutes
walk on a flat track a metal stairway down to the falls is reached. Just
over 200 steps descend to a viewing platform providing the view of the falls
shown on the right.
No special walking gear is required on the
new track. Street shoes only are needed on the walk. However, there is a
very short wet section along the water race which needs side stepping.
At a little under 2 hours return the walk is
now one of Tasmania's great short walks. A classic Tarkine rainforest walk.
About an hours drive from either Cradle Mountain or Burnie the walk is very
accessible.
other links
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/M/Mining.htm
http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/S/Savage
river.htm
http://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/portal/page?_pageid=35,831349&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
http://www.corinna.com.au/ |