Waratah Tourist Walks Potential

The Draft Tourism Plan of the Waratah-Wynyard Council is currently out for consultation. You can find it here: https://www.warwyn.tas.gov.au/have-your-say/draft-tourism-plan/.

Amongst many proposals in this draft published on the council website last week the following was recommended:

“Deliver walking tracks and trails that create linkages encouraging increased use of recreational spaces and ease of movement throughout the municipal area.”

It’s interesting that it avoids detailing works ‘outside the municipal area’ as that clearly discriminates against Waratah!

This treatise outlines six potential walks in the Waratah region that should be pursued by the council to increase tourism and business activity for both Waratah and Wynyard!

⦁     The most obvious and simple one is the Old Powerhouse Loop as already outlined to the council numerous times, indeed supported by the major lease holder Sustainable Timbers Tasmania.

Waratah Loop Track a Winner – Tasmanian Times

⦁      Another simple and obvious nature walk is a return walk on the southern perimeter of the heritage Waratah reservoir into the Knolle Plains to witness /understand Aboriginal heritage, protected species, unique vegetation and a portion of the history of Waratah.

⦁     Number three is a new concept, it being the climb – via a circuitous route – of the historic Mt Bischoff to the trig point. This could largely follow the existing old road to the top that entirely avoids the existing mining lease – see schematic below.

⦁     Number four is a revelation brought to light at the Bischoff Hotel by a well-known local. The little-known ‘pram track’ from the old Magnet mine to a site close to the Hotel. The name comes from its use by ladies for traversing with babies to/from the town as it is a slow decline. The track is now overgrown but was used by other locals in their youth. It combines both nature and mining history.

⦁     Number five is the existing track to Albert’s old mine site where sheds and shaker tables still exist. It is four kilometers out of town and with a steep decline but with little remediation needed I am told.

⦁     Number six is the all-wheel-drive track from the Magnet mine to Waratah Road following the old tramway to Waratah. It is still in use but with a need to be refurbished and cleared of fallen trees and debris etc..

⦁     And not to be forgotten but requiring a broader review and involvement other than the council is the famous Pebble Pathway: Bold new frontier for Tasmanian tiger country with push to reinstate the ‘Pebble Pathway’.

Now of course the question is: will the Waratah Wynyard Council take any notice of a positive and expansive suggestion from a resident of Waratah? Or would they collectively state, as per Michael Caton (The Castle) ‘Tell him he’s dreaming!’