Plans for a multi-day “iconic walk” in Tasmania’s Tyndall Range, on the state’s West Coast, are one step closer to reality with the federal government having cleared the way for the project to proceed.
The 31-kilometre trail is proposed as a three-day, two-night hike traversing the eastern side of the Tyndall Range from Lake Plimsoll in the region’s north to Lake Margaret Power Station in the south. A $40 million investment from the state government is funding the project.
Leading the design, Jaws Architects have designed the overnight combined hut and camping sites at Lake Mary and Lake Huntley, incorporating drying rooms; camping, a bunk room and private pod accommodation; and communal cooking and dining facilities, powered by hydro and solar electricity.
Concept designs for the project were released in late 2024, with the community invited to submit feedback. In parallel, several refinements were made to the design to reduce the building footprint and associated environmental impacts, as well as enable greater ease of construction.
Now, the walking track and its associated infrastructure have been greenlit by the federal government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, with the Minister of the Environment and Water declaring that the project, as planned, is exempt from environmental approval.
Acting Tasmanian Minister for Parks Madeleine Ogilvie welcomed the decision.
“The Tasmanian government referred the project to ensure it received the highest level of scrutiny given the location’s proximity to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area,” Ogilvie said. “The decision affirms the planning, consultation, science and design inputs that mitigate impacts to Matters of National Environmental Significance.”
“This is an exciting new experience for Tasmanians and walkers from across the globe, and now we can move forward with finalising approvals, including the development application process with the West Coast Council.”
Following lodgement with the local council, which is planned within the next few months, the proposal will be advertised once more for public comment before final approvals are able to be secured.
Pending approvals and environmental conditions, Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service anticipate that construction will start in spring 2026, with the walk open to visitors in summer 2029.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
