Acclaim and criticism for proposed $40m West Coast wilderness walk

It is being touted as “a game changer” for the West Coast, but there are concerns the multi-day Tyndall Range walk is cost-prohibitive and will degrade the alpine environment.

• Big boost for iconic coastal walk
• Alternative walk route put forward

THE creation of Tasmania’s next iconic walk in the Tyndall Ranges near Queenstown will be a game changer for a region once reliant on mining, logging and aquaculture, the West Coast community says.

But the Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association has major concerns, saying the route will be subject to severe weather, the three-day ticket price of $576 is prohibitive and helicopters would damage the delicate alpine environment.

The state government recently announced that a feasibility study into the new tourism development had proved it stacked up and it funding would be doubled to $40m to make it a reality.

Parks Minister Jacquie Petrusma said the Tyndall Range walk would add to the wilderness tourism offering already provided by the Overland and Three Capes tracks.

The project was selected for its spectacular landscape from 35 public submissions in 2019.

The project is the brainchild of local business and tourism association Destination West Coast.

The association’s president Anthony Brown said the Tyndall was “a magical place” that should not be locked up, or kept for a select few.

“It will bring more visitors to the region and allow tourism to become a strength in a region that is predominantly mining, logging and aquaculture,” he said.

“We on the West Coast don’t believe rain means that you can’t have fun. To us who live in the rainforest, we celebrate the rain.”

Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife “Next Iconic Walk” project manager Andrew Wagg with project consultant Ellen Witte at Lake Huntley in the Tyndall Range. Picture: Peter Mathew

West Coast Mayor Shane Pitt said the new walk would be a game changer for the region.

“We are already seeing the excitement from our local kids as potential new career opportunities open up,” Cr Pitt said.

The Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association said it was initially excited to participate in the consultation process.

“In a ‘brainstorm’-type consult, guides discussed a range of potential issues with the proposal while suggesting alternatives that would be more environmentally sensitive or that could create more guiding jobs on the West Coast,” president Ciara Smart said.

“Detailed comment was extremely difficult because we were given very little information about the proposal. We were not told the exact route, or if commercial operators would be included, or the cost for public walkers.

“TWGA members expressed scepticism towards a hut-based development in this location for three reasons: Firstly, the development of large-scale public huts and a ticketed walk (in the Three Capes style) negates the perceived need for a skilled guide to ensure the safety of clients.

“Ticket cost is a major barrier that unfairly excludes certain demographics. Secondly, a helicopter-facilitated development will have negative environmental outcomes for a delicate alpine environment.

“Finally, a walk in this area is unsuitable for beginner bushwalkers, even those walking with guides, as the area is subject to extreme weather conditions.”