Police and parks service send out plea to bushwalkers to keep safe this winter
Bushwalkers exploring Tasmania this winter are being warned that conditions can change quickly and become life-threatening, as snow and strong winds are forecast over the next few days.
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Tasmania Police and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service have issued a joint warning to bushwalkers to take safety precautions when exploring the state this winter.
It comes as hail storms, wind gusts of up to 100km/h, low-level snow and high tides are set to lash the state, with multiple weather warnings in place.
Tasmania Police Senior Constable Phil Rule said rescues were always more difficult to undertake this time of year.
“The issue with winter is it becomes more complex due to cold weather rain, snow, lack of daylight hours, he said.
“Once that weather kicks in, it can create complexities for walkers anywhere.”
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Ranger in Charge Brendan Moodie said the highly variable weather conditions of the state’s highlands meant many walkers were going out unprepared.
He urged visitors to the state’s parks to thoroughly plan their trips, alert people to their whereabouts, carry warm weather great and consider walking in small groups.
Also critical was assessing your walking abilities, he said.
“People (push) themselves to keep going and going … don’t be scared of turning around and bailing back out.”
Severe Weather Update: Damaging wind and powerful tides for south-east Australia today and tomorrow.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) June 24, 2025
Video current: 11:30am AEST 24 June 2025.
Latest forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/VTu2bhCml6
Carrying appropriate safety gear – including a personal locator beacon (PLB), a portable mobile phone battery bank, and a physical map – was also crucial.
PLBs are used to transmit distress signals to relevant authorities and can be registered online via the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website.
Police have attended nearly 200 rescues this financial year, according to Constable Rule.
“Numerous” had been carried out on top of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington he said, while Mr Moodie noted the higher Alpine areas, including Mount Field and Cradle Mountain, were areas of concern due to the high volume of visitors.
In May this year, a female tourist relying on an online mapping service was rescued from Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
This came after three bushwalkers were rescued in a day in January, one on Ironbound Range and the two others at Cradle Mountain.
But “the rescues have been in all parts of the state with both tourists and locals getting themselves into difficult circumstances,” Constable Rule said.
“It can happen to anyone.”
More information around walking safety can be found at the Tasmania Parks website.
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