Western Arthur Traverse

The Western Arthur Traverse is a 75.88 km multi-day route and is commonly planned as a 7-day trip. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service publishes a 7-day itinerary from Scotts Peak to Junction Creek, Lake Cygnus, Lake Oberon, High Moor, Haven Lake, and back via Junction Creek, with several short-distance days that still take 4 to 7 hours because the terrain is so slow and technical.

The Western Arthur Traverse starts at Huon Campground on Scotts Peak Road in Southwest National Park, west of Maydena. There is parking, toilets, water, and other basic amenities at Huon Campground, and walkers complete the trailhead logbook there before setting out.

The Western Arthur Traverse requires walker registration, including for parties only completing part of the route. Walkers also need to sign the logbook at the trailhead, and a valid Tasmania national parks pass is required for entry to Southwest National Park.

Yes. The Western Arthur Traverse is rated Extra Difficult here and is described by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service as one of Tasmania’s most challenging multi-day walks. The route covers 75.88 km with 3,229 m of elevation gain, and the hardest sections include exposed ridges, rock scrambling, pack-hauling terrain, and the Beggary Bumps near Tilted Chasm.

The Western Arthur Traverse is suited to very experienced walkers rather than beginners. Parks and Wildlife class it as a Grade 5 walk and notes that rough, exposed terrain can turn short distances into full-day efforts, especially between Lake Oberon, High Moor, Haven Lake, and the Mount Pegasus area.

No. The Western Arthur Traverse is in Southwest National Park, and dogs and other pets are generally not allowed in Tasmania’s national parks and reserves. The standard exception is for approved assistance dogs under Tasmania Parks and Wildlife rules.

The standard line of travel on the Western Arthur Traverse passes Junction Creek, Lake Cygnus, Lake Oberon, High Moor, Haven Lake, and Lake Sirona. Major named features on the route include Alpha Moraine, Mount Hesperus, the Capella Crags, Mount Hayes, Mount Orion, Mount Pegasus, the Beggary Bumps, Tilted Chasm, Mount Scorpio, and Kappa Moraine.