The track to the summit of Mount Stronach is not really spectacular. But this is a great little walk if you have a few hours, want to get your heart rate up and be rewarded with views out to the ocean.
Where is Mount Stronach?
From Tin Dragon Cottages, you turn left and drive towards Scottsdale on the A3 Tasman Highway. You drive through the Ling Siding, where the industrial businesses and United Fuel are. Now, look for Buckneys Road on the right-hand-side.
The car park for the start of the walking track is at the end of Buckneys Road.
Lying 4 kilometres east of Scottsdale, the mountain rises from 130 metres above sea level to 465 metres at the summit and covers an area of over 1000 hectares.
Mt. Stronach is described as a ‘monadnock’ which is a prominent rounded mountain-sized landform rising from the surrounding plain. It is actually a large mass of erosion formed from granite between 350 and 400 million years ago.
Do you need a 4WD vehicle?
Buckneys Road is a well-maintained unsealed road. Historically, this was not the case. In the past, the road was not always accessible, because of locked gates and bad road conditions. So, although we drove our 4WD, we didn’t need it! We could easily have driven our family sedan.
Because we drove our 4WD vehicle, I had an elevated view of the scenery on our way home. So I was dismayed to see the collection of rubbish beside the road–with so many drink bottles and coffee cups! And, I thought Tasmania was introducing a container refund scheme in 2022?
A family-friendly walk
Our family has walked to the summit of Mount Stronach many times over the years. I love the photo of young James walking the track in 2005 (below).
The track is an easy grade. However, you still need to take care by wearing sturdy walking shoes and taking a windproof jacket. You should allow about 2.5 hours for this walk. Last Sunday we walked about one hour to reach the Lookout. But, because it was starting to rain we didn’t walk the extra 20 minutes or so (return) to the actual summit.
Mount Stronach Walking Track
The track was originally contructed by local volunteers and is now maintained by Forestry Tasmania. In 1903 community members erected a rock cairn on the summit to commemorate Federation.
The lower slopes of the Mount Stronach walk
At the base of the mountain, the track winds through wet bushland. After recent rains, the understory was green with ferns. You can still see large tree stumps in the re-growth bush. I was also delighted to see a rough tree fern.
Water features and gardening?
Because of our older age and my interest in photography 😉 , we walked slowly and stopped occasionally. We heard a mysterious gurgling sound in a burnt-out tree stump. It was fascinating. When we hit the stump, the sound was louder. Then we noticed water streaming out of the ground a short distance away. We thought it could be a natural spring.
So, on our way back from the Lookout, we kept an eye out for the magic stump. This time, we also heard a sharp swishing sound parallel to the track above the magic stump. Investigation revealed a poly irrigation pipe not far from the track. The pipe had neatly drilled holes watering the ground.
OK. We can speculate. But I did hear from a friend-of-a-friend that they had found a gardener’s table littered with gardening tools in the bush on the lower slopes of Mount Stronach.
It pays to be observant
There is plenty of interest in the understory.
The upper slopes of the Mount Stronach walk
As you walk uphill, the bushland opens up with less understory. Here there are dry forests of peppermint and stringy bark eucalyptus with white gum and dry white top stringy bark around the rocky knolls along the ridgeline. There is evidence of past hot fires, too. Because Mount Stronach is subject to frequent fires causing damage and soil loss.
In the poorly-drained areas tea tree bush takes over and the exposed granite slabs are often covered in Kunzea scrub.
The summit Lookout is the reward!
Stay a while to enjoy the view and a cuppa!
Mount Stronach history
The Northeast tribe, known as Pyemmairrener, are the orignal inhabitants of this region. Aboriginal artifacts found at the summit indicate that the mountain was used by the aboriginal population.
Following European settlement, Mount Stronach was prospected for tin. But very little was found except in some of the streams flowing out from the lower slopes. Some water races were constructed to collect water for hydraulic mining of alluvial tin.
Early settlers cut the better stands of forest for saw logs and fencing material in the early part of the 20 century. Horses or bullocks pulled the trees downhill on rough logging tracks.
The severely eroded logging tacks are now popular for mountain-biking and four-wheel driving.
The walk to Cube Rock near South Mt Cameron has been regularly traversed for over 100 years. Legend has it that Thylacines were commonly seen along this track.
The Cube Rock Walk
Our Tin Dragon Trail Cottages team undertook this walk in mid-January 2015 on a day of perfect weather: dry, slight breeze and building to moderate wind at the summit. With lots of photo stops and a long break at the summit, we took about 3 hours to complete the walk.
How to find the start of the Cube Rock walk
From Tin Dragon Trail Cottages in Branxholm it is a 35 km drive to the start of the walk. Drive to Derby (8 km) then continue to the Gladstone turnoff (LHS) which is well signposted. Continue for about 11 km, through the small town of South Mt Cameron till you see the signage for Little Blue Lake. (It is another 8km along Gladstone Rd to reach the Gladstone store).
Park your car out of the way near the rocks defining the back of the car parking area (June 2020). Walk down the old vehicle track. There is another water-filled mining hole on your left. Keep walking till you see a small sign “to Cube Rock”. Now you can follow the signs all the way to Windy Ridge and the Cube Rock.
The Walk
With sunscreen-smeared faces, sunglasses, hats, water bottles and some snacks our intrepid team of Yuka and Aya (WWOOFers from Japan), Graham, James and I set out mid-morning.
After half-sliding down the bank of Saffire Creek we carefully stepped on rocks across the narrow stream then steadily walked upwards. Isn’t it true that all the walks with views involve an uphill climb? But don’t be dismayed, our aging over-60 executive team members classed this as an easy-moderate walk.
High fire danger
The walk starts under a stand of Bulloaks and then passes through open dry forest dominated by Black Peppermint and Stringybark. There is much evidence of fire. The last major fire was in 2006 when arsonists burned the entire range. I recommend that you don’t walk here on days of high fire danger, because the track and access road would be a fire trap.
An interesting walk at all times of the year
You will not find the walk boring. Within a very short distance you see the views start to open out. Interesting rocks emerge from the forest and at most times of the year you will find delicate flowering orchids. In June this year (2020) I spotted a rare Greenhood orchid.
The track to Cube Rock is well marked
Although the track isn’t well formed in places, you will easily see the markers. When you reach the first major granite slab, take direction from the small rock cairns. Don’t be tempted to walk straight towards the cube rock which is now clearly visible! The track takes you to the left and around via a ridge line.
The Windy Ridge
The prize for the uphill climb is the mysterious rock formations—feels a little like Picnic at Hanging Rock. This is the aptly named, Windy Ridge.
I wouldn’t attempt this walk in wild windy or wet weather. I think the rock surface could be very slippery in these conditions.
The amazing cube rock sits proudly on top of the large granite slab. The ridges on this side of Cube Rock look man-made as if blasted by explosives.
A hop skip and a jump to return!
Needless to say, the downhill walk was a little easier and faster than the reverse—although there were numerous photo stops slowing us down. We all agreed that the walk to Cube Rock would be added to our list of favourite walks in North East Tasmania.
Of course taking a photo of the Little Blue Lake is a must every time you visit South Mount Cameron. The colour of this abandoned tin mine reflects the moods of the sky, from almost emerald green to brilliant blue!
Some history – Lalewongener
The following has been taken from M Douglas. Mt Cameron Walks, second Edition, p 1, 2014.
“The sloop Norfolk commanded by Matthew Flinders was anchored near Cape Portland, the North East tip of Van Diemens Land on November 1st 1798. In his log Flinders noted the bare and rugged tops of a ridge of distant mountains which formed a striking contrast with the lower, verdant foreground. These granite peaks, known to the Aborigines as Lalewongener, are now the prominant feature of the Cameron Regional Reserve, gazetted in December 2000. The reserve is managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service.”
Learn More about Tin Dragon Cottages
If you wish to learn more about our tourist accommodation in North East Tasmania, please explore our Tin Dragon Cottages web site. We look forward to hosting your next stay in Tasmania!
Lazy Sunday Walk to Mount Scott
In search of an interesting walk and a Sunday picnic, Graham, James, Shizuka, Rusty and I decided to revisit the walk to Mt Scott.
Graham, James and I did this walk over 10 years ago. At the time, forestry operations had obscured the entrance to the walk. In fact we almost didn’t start the walk.
But cool rainforest and fabulous views from the summit are more than worth the effort of finding the track! If you are lucky you may see a majestic wedge-tail eagle soaring on the thermals!
Where is the Mount Scott Walk?
From Tin Dragon Trail Cottages turn left into Branxholm and head towards Scottsdale (A3 Highway). When you reach the Ling Siding (80 km/hr zone) see the United Petrol pump on your right. Turn immediately left off the A3 onto the Ten Mile Track. Continue till you see the South Springfield Rd turnoff to your left. Continue on the South Springfield road for 10km.
Don’t turn right to the South Springfield reserve or the Headquarters Dam. Take the left-hand fork of the road (East Diddleum Rd). You will see a largish blue signpost for the Mt Scott walk directing you. The start of the walk is 300m from this turn-off. When you are confronted with another fork in the road (unlabeled) look carefully for a small old sign with an arrow pointing to Mt Scott. You are now close to the start of the walk.
You should see an eroded trail-bike track on your left. Park near here and walk along the road till you find the sign-posted entrance to the walk.
How Long does the Walk to Mount Scott take?
Set aside four to five hours for this adventure. You will want to savour the majesty of the ancient trees and the view out across Scottsdale to the ocean. Of course you will also want to enjoy that hot cup of tea and the picnic you have lovingly carried up the mountain! Hint: Take a pencil or pen so you can write an entry in the visitors book located in a sealed bucket on the summit.
Our Experience of the Mount Scott Walk
Oh dear. Deja-vu. When we thought we were near the start of the track, we drove up and down one to two km, but couldn’t see the signpost. There was a trail bike track on our left, so we came back to this point and decided to start walking.
After a few minutes walking in the hot sun alongside uninspiring views of eucalypt plantation and weeds, we were about to give up and go home, But then I noticed an orange tag on a tree. Eureeka! Despite the lack of visible track this was an entrance onto the old track. We marked this entrance with a stone cairn and proceeded.
You should walk slowly and look carefully for the track markings. Because you may become engaged with the beauty of the remnant wet forest and then it is easy to miss the markers. Furthermore some of the markers and track sections were obscured by tree-fall.
After a few minutes walking, it was hard to imagine this beautiful place, sadly, surrounded by plantation and weeds. Even on a hot summer’s day it was cool under the canopy of the ancient man ferns, with the dampness of the forest under foot.
As we steadily ascended, the Tin Dragon Trails Cottage team didn’t need much encouragement for a photo stop!
Extensive tree-fall from previous years’ storms added an extra challenge to our uphill climb.
The rotting tree-fall provided ideal habitat for interesting fungi.
Wise old rocks were covered in ferns, mosses and lichens.
We walked among giants!
High up in the Myrtle tree branches the myrtle oranges were blooming. These fungi are edible, but seem to have no taste. Yes we did eat some!
A few tall eucalypts were fighting for supremacy of the wet forest
The tall man ferns reminded us that this remnant forest was here long before Scott explored the region
As we approached the summit it became muddy under foot from water oosing up from underground.
Presumably this beginning of a mountain stream was the reason for this patch of forest not being clear-felled. So for the moment this remnant forest will not be forced to make money under the hungry sound of chainsaws.
Of course this wet area was perfect habitat for Tasmania’s endemic burrowing crayfish and ubiquitous leaches. Graham was singled out by three of the little suckers!
On the summit the forest opens up with more tea trees and grasses–nearly there, reward in sight. Even Rusty was looking exhausted. She was happy to rest in the shade of a tree while we explored the summit.
Then the grand finale. You can take a rest and enjoy the view, hot cup of tea, cake and sandwich. Rusty was given a bowl of refreshing water. Don’t forget to take a pen, so you can make a mark for history.
The walk down always seems much faster. I think it took us about 90 minutes to return to our car. Remember though that I take my time, with stops to take photos, smell the spiciness of the forest and soak up its calming greenness.
Walking out into the strong sunlight and heat of the gravel road was like returning to another world. We were again surrounded by the hard working dry forest and weeds. (The signage reminds us that his is a working forest!)
Rather than returning to Branxholm via the Ten Mile Track, we headed into Scottsdale and JoDonny’s Cafe for a large pizza and coffee. (I didn’t have the energy-levels to cook a meal at home.)
If you wish to learn more about our tourist accommodation in North East Tasmania, please explore our Tin Dragon Cottages web site. We look forward to hosting your next stay in Tasmania!
Behind this Great Short walk was a Mighty Community Effort
Ralphs Falls in North East Tasmania is promoted as one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The Ringarooma community can be proud of making this spectacular walk on Mount Victoria available for tourists. It was officially opened in 1998. The casual visitor would not be aware of the huge community effort—spanning some 50 years—needed to make Ralphs Falls accessible. Hence I will give you a short history of their efforts.
Where is Ralphs Falls in North East Tasmania?
Situated betweenRingarooma and Pyengana the Falls are a 30 minute drive from the Tasman Highway. Take the C423 from Ringarooma then follow the signs. At a T intersection you will drive past the Ringarooma cemetery, next you will turn right onto the Link gravel road which takes you to the Falls. The walk is 20 minute return to the Falls or 50 minute circuit via Cashs Gorge loop.
Who or What was Ralphs?
The old timber-getters and miners had known about the falls since the early 1900’s. ‘Ralphs’ was a local timber-mill, so perhaps it was the owner of the mill who first described the falls? In 1916 the local paper recounts an excursion made by a party of nine on horse-back to visit Mount Victoria for the enjoyment of the views. The article refers to the New River Falls. (North Eastern Advertiser Tuesday 11 April 1916 p 3).
Pyengana to Ringarooma Link Road Saga
During the early 20’s the local paper records the Pyengana residents’ desire for a link road to Ringarooma. In response, a Federal Government unemployment project commenced construction of the road in 1925. Unfortunately the project halted without completion in 1927. You can see signage commemorating the amazing hand-built stone wall.
The Road Seen as a Valuable Tourist Asset by the Community
In 1951 a petition to the State Minister for Works and Land by the Portland (Pyengana) and Ringarooma Councils failed to see further work on the road. The proponents pointed out that the road would, ‘be a valuable tourist asset, being a scenic road with new access to the magnificent St. Columba Falls’. Furthermore the road would ‘substantially shorten the distance between Launceston and St. Helens’( North Eastern Adverstiser Tues 20 March 1951 p5).
The Community Overcomes Petty-Minded Professional Bureaucratic Obstructionists
In 1979 the Ringarooma Progress Development League became determined to complete the link road. In addition they decided to construct a walking track to Ralphs Falls. . Ringarooma resident Norm Brown spear-headed the campaign. Despite local bureaucratic opposition, in 1983 the Mt Victoria Forest Reserve was gazetted. However the struggle to have forests of the North East protected from clear-fell destruction continues. Here is an impassioned letter written by Norm in 2002 (pdf download).
Hard Work of Volunteers over Twenty Years
Over the next 2 decades many local farming and business families chipped in to work on the road from Ringarooma to Mount Victoria and the Ralphs Falls walking track. Trees had to removed and land-slips and large holes repaired on the original abandoned road. A local resident remembers this being rather scary because it was just a narrow track with precipitous drops. A local mining contractor donated his time and heavy machinery on the proviso that the group supply the diesel. Finally a new road was pushed across the mountain to meet up with the existing rough track coming up from Pyengana.
Other volunteers then worked on constructing a walking track out to Ralphs Falls. It was hard going because all the cement, sand and stone had to be carried in using wheelbarrows and buckets. Volunteers often included parents and children. In some cases there were three generations of the same family working on the trail. One family even came from Victoria!
State Government Funding for the Great Short Walk
In Norm’s words the group, fought petty minded professional bureaucratic obstructionists to eventually achieve the State Government funding to complete the project. The State Government provided funds and encouraged Forestry Tasmania (FT) to approve the construction of Norm’s Lookout. FT then provided picnic tables, a composting toilet and on-going track maintenance.
The track, which includes ‘Norm’s Lookout’ over the spectacular falls, was officially opened by the Deputy Premier John Beswick in May 1989. Upgrades linking the Mount Victoria Road to Pyengana were eventually completed in 1998. In 2015 the area of the Ralphs Falls walk was placed under new land tenure. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) now maintains this asset.
After severe storm damage in 2014 PWS undertook major repair work. The gently sloping well-drained pathway, sturdy bridge and lookout now enjoyed by tourists was the work of legendary “Snapper” John Hughes, one of Australia’s leading track-builders in 2015.
Ralphs Falls & Cash’s Gorge Circuit Walk
Ralphs Falls is a popular walk with tourists to North East Tasmania. Our family has enjoyed this walk on many occasions over the years and it always delights. The 4 km easy circuit walk passes though lush myrtle rain forest, tea tree and button-grass plains. It features Tasmania’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Ralph’s Falls plummets down 100m of vertical dolerite fault to the valley floor. On a clear day the views out to the ocean over New River Valley and Cash’s Gorge are an extraordinary bonus! In the summer months the wattle birds, parrots, wrens and finches are active, insects buzz and the scent of honey is heavy in the air.
You want to spend some serious time here trying to see the bottom of the waterfall and just gazing at the rocks…and trying to take the best-ever photograph!
You can actually stand on top of Ralphs Falls. But I prefer to sit. Do be careful! Of course, this is not part of the formed track.
The track follows the escarpment.
I don’t know who Cash was. At this lookout you can see out to the ocean.
The button plains are full of life. I think the boardwalk is a regular wombat highway at night. After the boardwalk the track continues through a short section of tea tree bush to emerge back at the car park and picnic ground. So now it’s time for you to enjoy that picnic basket of goodies we supplied you for your lunch!
March 16 2019: It was quiet at home in Branxholm, so Graham and I went exploring. We had two objectives in mind, firstly to find the Mount Victoria entrance to the Rattler’s Hill walk and secondly to visit the Rock Shelf. We have been completing some reconnaissance for the North East Highlands Walk. But here I describe the Rock Shelf Walk.
Location of the Mount Victoria Rock Shelf
Take the route through Legerwood and Ringarooma (A3 highway, C423, New River Rd and Mount Victoria Rd). This road is suitable for average sedan cars. In contrast, Google’s preferred route from St Columba Falls is longer, narrow and rough.
Ten Minutes from Ralphs Falls
Pack yourself a tasty picnic lunch, prepare the thermos of tea and head out from Tin Dragon Cottages. It will take you about 40 minutes to drive to Ralph Falls. This is one of Tasmania’s Great Short Walks. You can complete the easy 4 km walk in time for your lunch in the Ralphs Falls picnic area.
Now set your car’s odometer to zero and start driving back to Ringarooma. At the 1.1 km pull over into a small parking area on your left.
After parking your car, walk directly over the road and into the forest. You should see pink and blue ribbons tied to a sapling. From this point you can either walk clockwise or anti-clockwise following the pink ribbons. The circuit trail takes you down the hill to the rock shelf, follows under the shelf then returns. I guess the walk is an easy 2 km return.
A Short Easy Walk with Photo Opportunities
Ferns 
Woody bracket fungus 
White bracket fungus
Although it was really dry when we did this walk, it was still a delightful walk. At other times of year the rock-shelf drips water through the masses of mosses and ferns clinging to it’s surface. The forest floor is alive with beautiful fungi, leaches (ugh!) and other invertebrates and small birds chatter in the tree canopy. I saw some awesome bracket fungi and a bright red velvet fungus on this trip. On a previous visit here I saw iridescent yellow snake’s vomit – AKA slime mould.
Then, of course there is the dark mysterious depths of the cave under the rock shelf…
Take a Camera and a Tripod
If you have followed the Blog on my other site, you may recall that my Canon DSLR camera “died” on a walk into the Labyrinth in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park last year. The snow, rain and hail was too much for it. Well, I now have a Canon point-and-click G7x-markII. It’s a lot of fun and very light to carry, but it wasn’t so good for the shady conditions of the rock-shelf walk. Furthermore I didn’t take a tripod… This is my way of explaining why you should at least take a tripod to get the best out of your photography on this walk!