Tasmanian weather: Calls to enhance Mt Field access for Tasmanians to enjoy snowfall

A tourist operator wants better access to Mt Field so Tasmanians can enjoy the snow on days like today. Read her idea.

Heavy snow on the road past Maydena, in the Mt Field National Park

A tourism operator is calling for improved access to Mt Field so more Tasmanians can safely enjoy snow days.

Rachel Power, owner of the Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery at Mt Field, said the road to Lake Dobson was challenging and access to Mount Mawson was limited.

“We do have snow falls through October and obviously, we get them in December, January and February,” she said.

“It’s time that we have a serious discussion about just how the road can be accessed safely by everybody and what that looks like.

“It’d be great to see a shuttle service similar to what we have at Cradle Mountain – obviously there’s challenges that would come with that because it is a narrow, winding road in a World Heritage Area.”

There was a dusting of snow at Mt Mawson shown on the web cams on Oct 15, 2023.

She hoped to start a discussion with stakeholders.

“It’s not just about the tourists. It’s about improving the services for Tasmanians as well,” Ms Power said.

“It is largely Tasmania that comes out when it snows so if we can improve access to that road.”

The call for action comes as peaks around the state had a dusting of snow on Saturday night.

“We did get a burst of cold air and we had some snow, sort of a light dusting of snow on top of the mountains here,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Mark Anolak said.

“There were certainly other higher areas of the state that had a dusting of snow as well.”

Mr Anolak said there will be one more frontal feature that will come across the state on Monday morning.

“This time of year, spring is notorious for really changeable dynamic weather,” he said.

“There’s still an increase in shower activity in the western and southern parts of the state, but we may even see a light sprinkle pushing across Central and into the North East.”