Travellers to Sheffield can be forgiven for overlooking the Kimberley Range for a day trip.
The range is overshadowed by the stunningly majestic Mt Roland and the Fossey Mountains that is a major tourist drawcard and natural feature of the Kentish shire.
The first set of boulders.
The Kimberley Range is much closer to Sheffield than Mt Roland, and much easier to climb.
Looking east towards the road between Railton and Latrobe, far in the distance what I think is the Asbestos Range.
Not only is it a wonderland for short or long day hikes into surprisingly unexpected pockets of rainforest and limestone structures, but it’s also the home of the Wild Mersey Mountain Bike network.
The next boulders.
Deb Hunter, good friend and fellow caver, had often told me about her hikes into the Kimberley Range, especially along the Badger Skyline circuit. So when she asked me to join her on an early spring hike, I wasn’t about to say no.
Deb communing with the boulder spirits.
We headed off from the Morgan Road carpark, the trail taking us through beautiful tea tree and eucalypt forest, with an assortment of wild flowers blooming.
Spring wildflowers.
It was an undulating track, going up and over a spectacular series of rocky outcrops and conglomerate boulders with sensational views of the Asbestos Range in Narawntapu in one direction and Dial Range in the other, with Mt Roland every now and again showing its lovely face (unfortunately covered in cloud all day).
Looking southeast at part of the Kimberley Range.
After four hours, we took the Exit 2 path down to the Horse Track (a bridle trail) which led us back through dry sclerophyll forest and the odd fern or two to Morgan Road.
The track going over more boulders.
This route gives the other end of the range near Kimberley Lookout a good run for its money (see Kimberley Lookout).
Tasmanian boulder troll.
Always enjoy discovering more of my local area, with Tassie nature at its best.
Looking back at where we’ve come from.
At picnic rock lookout with a view of Mt Roland under cloud.
The via ferrata, only a short one.