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Climes Track

Difficulty: Trek rating 4.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 4.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD 
The Climes Track provides a unique opportunity to drive the wild coastline of Tasmania's west coast between Granville Harbour and Trial Harbour, avoiding a long inland detour on bitumen roads. The Climes Track is 4WD only.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesTrial Harbour
FinishGranville Harbour
Distance24.79 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed23.35 km/hrDriving Time1 hour 3 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 30 Oct 2008

 Description

The Climes Track is very much only for experienced 4WDrivers and for vehicles with decent ground clearance. It is slow going, has lots of steep hill climbs, rock climbs, rotting timber bridges, waterfalls, and wonderful coast and mountain views. It takes about 3 hours (more or less depending on how long you stop at lookouts, and how many times you stop for photos, etc).

Climes track starts at Granville Harbour and traverses the cliff tops of the coast before finishing at Trial Harbour. The track can be challenging in places with large rocks, side inclines and lots of eroded gully’s to negotiate. Careful placement of wheels and slow speeds are needed to navigate along the track - with predominantly first and second gear low range all the way.

The bridge over Granite Creek has collapsed and access is only possible by taking a bypass on the west side of the Climes Track. This track starts about 15 metres north of the bridge and rejoins the main track around 100 metres to the south. This alternate crossing is pretty steep on the opposite side (southern side), with some rock ledges to climb to make the ascent potentially difficult, especially with no winching points above. The crossing is even more difficult and possibly dangerous if coming from the southern end. Please do not attempt the crossing, during or after rains, and if the creek is in flood.

Once in Trial Harbour, its a great place to stay - but campsites may be full to overflowing. A good idea is to spend a bit of time here and take a tour of the Trial Harbour "History Room". This fascinating room of a house has been lovingly and carefully prepared to show bits and pieces of memorabilia and relics showing the history of the area, including mining and fishing. There are photos, gemstones, relics, and bits of general flotsam and jetsam that have washed up from the beach and lots more. Perched on a grassy headland to the south of the town, the outside area is also full of treasures for the kids to explore.

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Climes Track Help

From: Trial Harbour
To: Granville Harbour

Distance: 24.79 km
Direction: 321 °
Average Speed: 23.35 km/hr
Travel Time: 1 hour 3 mins

Using the Map

Our treks have a moving map facility, to take a virtual tour click on the Play button in the Moving map control (see Moving Map help)
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 Permits

No permits are required to travel on the Climes Track, although you should seek updated information on bridges and track conditions from local rangers or the Parks and Wildlife Services at Strahan.

Strahan Office

PO Office Box 62
Strahan TAS 7468
Phone: (03) 6472 6020
Fax: (03) 6472 6026

The coastal strip that Climes Track runs through is intended to be developed as a wind farm, where are number of wind towers may be erected. If and when this goes ahead, access routes may be changed and/or restricted.

 Things to See & Do

Tasman River, Climes Track - TAS   
River Crossing Point of Interest
Bridge on Climes Track crosses over the Tasman River.
Shack near Granville Harbour Rd - TAS   
Point of Interest 
One of few scattered shacks near Granville Harbour Road.
Granite Creek Crossing - TAS   
River Crossing Point of Interest
Granite Creek Crossing is on the Climes Track in the northwest coast of Tasmania. Unfortunately, the bridge over Granite Creek has collapsed and access is only possible by taking a bypass on the west side of the Climes Track. This track starts about 15 metres north of the bridge and rejoins the main track around 100 metres to the south.
Trial Harbour - TAS   
Populated Place Camp Free Rubbish Bin,Tip Bay,Inlet,Cove Beach Point of Interest
The coastal hamlet of Trial Harbour has magnificent beaches, fishing and spectacular views from the surrounding hills. There are no shops or facilities. Trial Harbour is a small anchorage on the northwest Coast of Tasmania. It was an exposed and particularly vulnerable anchorage susceptible to the prevailing local weather of the Roaring Forties.
Granville Harbour - TAS   
Camp Free Point of Interest
Granville Harbour was originally opened up as a soldier settlement after World War I. These days, the spot is a popular fishing destination for locals and a holiday destination for miners from both Queenstown and Zeehan.
St Clair Creek, Climes Track - TAS   
River Crossing Point of Interest
Bridge on Climes Track crosses over St Clair Creek. St Clair Falls is around 300m downstream.

 Preparation

Only the most experiences 4WDrivers should attempt the Climes Track since there are many sections; which are rocky, and rough due to erosion. Access along the track may become difficult due to the lack of maintenance. You should travel in a convoy of two or more vehicles in case you run into problems. The bridge over Granite Creek is still down; however there is a bypass track that may be used. Do not attempt this track in the wet season, especially when it’s been raining recently. Flooded sections can make the rocks slippery to negotiate.

Adequate fuel and food supplies should be carried as well warm clothes and good footwear if you are planning to get out of the vehicle. Ensure you have good recovery gear, communications equipment such as HF Radio, Satellite Phone, and a PLB. Navigation equipment such as a GPS and laptop may also come in handy.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel Symbol Diesel4cyl 3 litres ULP4cyl 4 litres LPG4cyl 5 litres
6cyl 4 litres6cyl 4 litres6cyl 4 litres
8cyl 4 litres8cyl 4 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
There are no fuel facilities at Granville and Trial Harbour. Nearest fuel supplies are at Zeehan, which is a town around 15kms to the west of Trial Harbour.

Best Time To Visit

Do not travel in the colder months. The coast can get considerably cold, wet and wild, flooding tracks and creating dangerous conditions.

Closest Climatic Station

Strahan Aerodrome
Distance from Trek Mid Point 35.33km SE
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 20.621.419.316.5 14.212.612.313.2 14.216.017.719.1
Mean Min. °C 10.611.19.78.3 7.45.85.25.9 6.27.28.29.5
Mean Rain mm 92.463.799.2111.9 136.0164.9168.6168.1 152.8126.594.890.6
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended
There are very limited supplies and facilities at Granville and Trial Harbour. Nearest supplies and facilities are at Zeehan, which is a town around 15kms to the west of Trial Harbour.

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Trial Harbour - TAS   
Populated Place Camp Free Rubbish Bin,Tip Bay,Inlet,Cove Beach Point of Interest
The coastal hamlet of Trial Harbour has magnificent beaches, fishing and spectacular views from the surrounding hills. There are no shops or facilities. Trial Harbour is a small anchorage on the northwest Coast of Tasmania. It was an exposed and particularly vulnerable anchorage susceptible to the prevailing local weather of the Roaring Forties.
Granville Harbour - TAS   
Camp Free Point of Interest
Granville Harbour was originally opened up as a soldier settlement after World War I. These days, the spot is a popular fishing destination for locals and a holiday destination for miners from both Queenstown and Zeehan.
Trial Harbour Rd (Camping Area) - TAS   
Camp Free 
Camping area near Trial Harbour Road.

 Environment

The weather in this region can be unpredictable and like most places along the coast, is often pounded by the ‘Roaring 40s’ - a name given for the latitudes between 40°S and 50°S because of the boisterous and prevailing westerly winds.

The coastline in this area is known to be very scenic and wild, with a number of old mines that dot the area, and great scenic views of the Southern Ocean and inland mountain ranges. Vegetation near the coast consists of heath and scrublands, whilst buttongrass dominates the poorly drained moorlands. Numerous wildflowers and orchid species dot the coast and plains during specific times of the year. Regarding bird species along the coast, you may see the red-capped plover, fairy tern, pacific gull, ruddy turnstone, raptors, and pied and sooty oyster catchers.

The coastal hamlet of Trial Harbour has magnificent beaches, fishing and spectacular views from the surrounding hills. There are no shops or facilities. Granville is a small fishing and holiday community, although as with Trial Harbour, there are no shops or facilities.

 History

Trial Harbour is a small anchorage on the northwest Coast of Tasmania. It was an exposed and particularly vulnerable anchorage susceptible to the prevailing local weather of the Roaring Forties. Named after the cutter Trial, which first anchored there in 1881, the harbour was utilised for a short while during the establishment of the early mining communities of Zeehan, and Queenstown, prior to the establishment of the settlements and facilities at Strahan and Regatta Point.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Trial Harbour to Trial Harbour Rd (Camping Area) 0.06 km NE 40° N/A
Trial Harbour Rd (Camping Area) to Trial Harbour Rd & Climes Tk 2.8 km NE 26° 5 min
Trial Harbour Rd & Climes Tk to Climes Track, Mount Heemskirk Regional Reserve Boundary 1.32 km NW 337° 3 min
Climes Track, Mount Heemskirk Regional Reserve Boundary to Granite Creek Crossing 8.38 km NW 301° 33 min
Granite Creek Crossing to St Clair Creek, Climes Track 1.75 km NW 318° 6 min
St Clair Creek, Climes Track to Climes Track, Mount Heemskirk Regional Reserve Boundary 3.75 km NW 316° 13 min
Climes Track, Mount Heemskirk Regional Reserve Boundary to Tasman River, Climes Track 1.76 km N 346° 7 min
Tasman River, Climes Track to Granville Harbour Rd & Climes Track 1.65 km N 339° 2 min
Granville Harbour Rd & Climes Track to Shack near Granville Harbour Rd 0.15 km NW 319°
Shack near Granville Harbour Rd to Granville Harbour Rd & Tk to Donnellys Lookout 1.32 km NW 335° 2 min
Granville Harbour Rd & Tk to Donnellys Lookout to Granville Harbour 1.86 km W 289° 2 min
Trial Harbour to Granville Harbour 24.79 km     1 hr 3 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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