Custom Search

ADVERTISING
ABOUT TASMANIA
CONTRIBUTORS
DISCLAIMER
EVENTS CALENDAR
CONTACT ME
LINKS
PRINTS COPIES
SITEMAP
WEBSITE NEWS
PLACES in TASMANIA
ADAMSONS Pk
ALUM CLIFF
ANSONS BAY
ARTHUR RIVER
AVOCA
BADGERS RANGE
BANGOR
BARN BLUFF
BARNBOUGLE
BAY of FIRES
BEACONSFIELD
BEAUTY POINT
BEECHFORD
BELLINGHAM B.
BEN LOMOND
BEN NEVIS
BICHENO
BILLY QUINNS
BILLOP BLUFF
BINALONG BAY
BLUE LAKE
BLUE TIER
BLUFF RIVER
BOTHWELL
BRACKNELL
BRIDESTOWE
BRIDPORT
BRICKENDON
BRUNY ISLAND
BUCKLAND
BURNIE
CAMPANIA
CAMPBELL TOWN
CAPE GRIM
CAPE PILLAR
CAPE PORTLAND
CAPE RAOUL
CARR VILLA
CARR VILLA Cem.
CARRICK
CHASM FALLS
CHINAMANS PLAINS
CHUDLEIGH
CLARENDON
CLEVELAND
COCKLE CREEK
COLEBROOK
COLES BAY
CONARA
CORINNA
CORNWALL
CORRA LYN
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
CRESSY
CYGNET
DELORAINE
DERBY
DERWENT BRIDGE
DERWENT VALLEY
DEVILS GULLET
DEVIOT
DEVONPORT
DIP FALLS
DISMAL SWAMP
DRYS BLUFF
DONAGHYS HILL
DON RAILWAY
DOVE CANYON
DOVE RIVER
DOVER
DUNALLEY
EAGLEHAWK NECK
EAST SANDY Pt
EDDYSTONE LH
EMU VALLEY
ENTALLY
ESKLEIGH Est
EUGENANA
EVANDALE
EVERCREECH
EXETER
EXTON
FALMOUTH
FEBRUARY PLAINS
FINGAL
FLINDERS ISLAND
FORTH
FRANKLIN NP
FRANKFORD
FRENCHMANS CAP
FREYCINET
GEEVESTON
GEORGE TOWN
GLADSTONE
GLENGARRY
GORDON River
GOULDS COUNTRY
GREAT LAKE
GREAT W.TIERS
GREENS BEACH
GRINDELWALD
GUIDE FALLS
GUNNS PLAINS
HAGLEY
HAMILTON
HASTINGS
HAWLEY BEACH
HOBART City
HOBART Bellerive
HOBART North
HOBART South
HOLLYBANK
HUONVILLE
IDA BAY RAIL
ILLAWARRA
JERICHO
KAYDALE GARDEN
KEMPTON
KING ISLAND
KING SOLOMON'S
KIRKLANDS
LABYRINTH
LADY LAKE
LAKE AUGUSTA
LAKE BURBURY
CHAPTER LAKE
LAKE DOBSON
LAKE DULVERTON
LAKE GORDON
LAKE HANSON
LAKE MACKENZIE
LAKE MACKINTOSH
LAKE McCOY
LAKE MARION
LAKE MYRTLE
LAKE NEWDEGATE
LAKE PEDDER
LAKE PRICE
LAKE ROSEBERY
LAKE ROWALLAN
LAKE St CLAIR
LAKE TOOMS
LAKE WHITHAM
LAUNCESTON City
LAUN. Cataract
LAUN. Trevallyn
LATROBE
LEES PADDOCKS
LEFROY
LEGERWOOD
LEVEN CANYON
LIAWENEE
LIFFEY FALLS
LILYDALE FALLS
LISLE
LOBSTER FALLS
LONGFORD
LOW HEAD
LULWORTH Bch.
MACQUARIE HAR.
MANGANA
MARAKOOPA CAVE
MARAWAH
MARIA ISLAND
MATHINNA FALLS
MAYDENA
MEADSTONE FALLS
MEANDER FALLS
MEETUS FALLS
MIENA
MOLE CREEK
MOINA
Mt AMOS
Mt ANNE
Mt ARTHUR
Mt AMOS
Mt BARROW
Mt BISCHOFF
Mt CAMPBELL
Mt CLAUDE
Mt DIRECTION
Mt FIELD NP
Mt GEORGE
Mt GOULD
Mt HARTZ NP
Mt HUGEL
Mt HUXLEY
Mt IRONSTONE
Mt JERUSALEM
Mt JUKES
Mt LOT
Mt OWEN
Mt PARIS DAM
Mt PARMEENER
Mt PEARSE
Mt PROJECTION
Mt ROLAND
Mt ROGOONA
Mt SADDLEBACK
Mt SEDGWICK
Mt SORRELL
Mt St VALENTINE
Mt VICTORIA
Mt WALFORD
Mt WELLINGTON
Mt WRIGHT
MILLERS BLUFF
MOTHER CUMMINGS
MUSSELROE
MYRTLE PARK
NABOWLA
NARAWNTAPU NP
NEW NORFOLK
NIBELUNGEN CRAG
NILE
NINE MILE BEACH
NOTLEY FERN
NUNAMARA
OATLANDS
ORFORD
OUSE
PARADISE PLAINS
PATERSONIA
PELVERATA FALLS
PENGUIN
PENNY ROYAL
PERTH
PHILO.FALLS
PIEMAN RIVER
PIGSTY PONDS
PINE LAKE
PINDARS PEAK
POATINA
POIMENA
PONTVILLE
PORT ARTHUR
PRESTON FALLS
PYENGANA
QUAMBY ESTATE
QUAMBY BLUFF
QUEENSTOWN
RAILTON
RALPH FALLS
RICHMOND
RINADEENA FALLS
RINGAROOMA
RITTERS CRAG
ROCKY CAPE
ROSEBERY
ROSEVEARS
ROSS
ROSSARDEN
ROYAL GEORGE
RUSSELL FALLS
SALMON PONDS
SARAH ISLAND
SASSAFRAS
SAVAGE RIVER
SCAMANDER
SCOTTSDALE
SCOTTS PEAK DAM
SEYMOUR
SHADOW LAKE
SHEFFIELD
SHIPSTERN BLUFF
SKEMP FNC
SLEEPY WINE BAY
SMITHTON
SOUTHPORT
SOUTH WEST NP
SPLIT ROCK FALLS
STANLEY
STEINS CRAG
St COLUMBA FALLS
St HELENS
St MARYS
St VALENTINES Pk
STORYS CREEK
STRAHAN
STRATHGORDON
STUMPYS BAY
STYX FOREST
SUPPLY RIVE
SWANSEA
TAHUNE AIRWALK
TAMAR ISLAND
TARANNA WLP
TARKINE DRIVE
TAROONA
TARRALEAH
TASMAN NP
TASMANIA ZOO
TOMAHAWK
TONGANAH
TRIABUNNA
TROWUNNA WLP
TULLAH
TUMBLE TOR
TUNBRIDGE
TURNERS MARSH
TURRANA BLUFF
ULVERSTONE
VILLARETT GARDENS
WADDAMANA
WALDHEIM
WALLED MTN.
WALLS JERUSALEM
WARATAH
WARNERS SL
WATERHOUSE
WELDBOROUGH
WESTBURY
WESTERN EXPL.
WEST TOWER
WEYMOUTH Bch.
WHYTE HILL
WILDERNESS Rail
WILMOT
WINEGLASS BAY
WINDERMERE
WINGS WLP
WINKLEIGH
WOOLMERS
WOOLNORTH
WURRAGARRA
WYNYARD
YORKTOWN
ZEEHAN

.

links icon

.

Mt Ben Nevis Tasmania

Main photo gallerys are below Information

Mt BEN NEVIS

Paradise Plains & the Caves

SMALL PHOTO & INFORMATION PAGE

Mount BEN NEVIS is a very rugged mountain to climb, but if you succeed, you are given awesome views of much of north eastern Tasmania. Unfortunately, in 2015 the ascend track was in very poor condition, so this challenge is only for experienced walkers with local knowledge. Ben Nevis is located east of the Ben Lomond Plateau in a very isolated, forest covered area of north eastern Tasmania.

The nearest settlements are the BEN LOMOND Ski Village and the hamlet of MATHINNA. The Ben Nevis walk is only for experience walkers, who have a good 4WD vehicle to access the start. Note that the Ben Lomond Ski Village is only occupied at key tourist times.

From Ben Nevis you are 40 minutes from MATHINNA and the BEN LOMOND Ski Village. You are 70 minutes from LAUNCESTON. Nearby places are described in the NORTH EAST REGION page.


View Region North East in a larger map. Unfortunately, you must go to the Google Page 2 map to see some of my marked features.

FACILITIES: Ben Nevis is a mountain in the Wilderness. The nearest commercial facilities are in LAUNCESTON. At key tourist times there is accommodation at the BEN LOMOND CREEK INN, Ski Village, Ben Lomond: (03) 6390 6199 Ben Nevis is only 70 minutes from accommodation in LAUNCESTON.

SIGHT: The view from the top of Mt Ben Nevis is spectacular, but the route is poorly marked and the climb of 4 kilometres to the peak, is very difficult. Ben Nevis is also described by bush walkers as leach city.

Mist is a problem, so you should only go on sunny days and you should always have a compass. It is a big mistake to depend on solely on GPS. You should also have an EPIRB, just in case you get lost. This walk is for experienced walkers only.

WARNING: The Ben Nevis area is frequently subjected to extremely cold and wet weather, as well as mist, in any season. Come prepared with a compass and a map, plus GPS and an EPIRB and do not attempt this journey, if the weather prediction is doubtful.

ROUTE: From LAUNCESTON you follow the route to BEN LOMOND. This is to drive east from LAUNCESTON on C401, but continue past the turn off to BEN LOMOND. You pass through the tiny settlement of Upper Blessington to Telopea Road. Drive north on Telopea Road for about 3.5 kilometres to North Nevis Road. This road is in a very poor condition and it is hard to spot. It is on the west side of Telopea Road. Drive east on North Nevis Road for about one kilometre to the start of the walk to Ben Nevis.

A series of rock cairns mark the way to the summit, which is in a south east direction. They cairns can be difficult to follow. This walk should only be done by experienced bush walkers, who know how to navigate even in the mist.

To LARGER BEN NEVIS PHOTOS

  • BEN NEVIS
  • Paradise 2021
  • Paradise 2012
  • Caves

 

Ben Nevis

1/ Mt Ben Nevis is a large mountain in north eastern Tasmania. It is 1370 metres high. It dominates the skyline north of the Ben Lomond Plateau. This photo was taken from south west of Ben Nevis near the locality of Whisloca.

Ben Nevis

2/ This photo looks south east towards Ben Nevis across the Sunset Ridge. This view makes Ben Nevis appear to be less high than it actually is.

Ben Nevis from Ben Lomond Plateau

3/ This photo shows Ben Nevis from the track to Carr Villa. This view looks to the north.

Ben Nevis from Ben Lomond Plateau

4/ This photo shows how Mt Ben Nevis dominates the skyline north of the Ben Lomond Plateau.

ben nevis

5/ This is a telephoto view of Mt Ben Nevis. It is a peak that is usually covered in mist, which makes photography difficult. It has an air of mystery about it.

Mt Ben Nevis, Tasmania

6/ The approach to Ben Nevis is through regrowth forest that is punctuated with great views of the nearby mountains.

Mt Ben Nevis, Tasmania

7/ This is logging trail to a regrowth forest. You must be careful to stay on the main trail to Mt Ben Nevis.

Mt Ben Nevis, Tasmania

8/ This shows a view of the distant mountains seen from Mt Ben Nevis.

Mt Ben Nevis, Tasmania

9/ This shows a white gum in a regrowth forest. Behind it is a great panorama of the distant mountains seen from Mt Ben Nevis.

Mt Ben Nevis, Tasmania

10/ Misty clouds can be seen on this far off mountain. These clouds later stopped me from climbing Mt Ben Nevis.

Mt Saddleback, Tasmania

11/ The reason this mountain was called "Mt Saddleback" is obvious from this view.

Mt Saddleback, Tasmania

12/ As you ascend the Mt Ben Nevis walk is punctuated by views of distant mountain peaks.

Mt Saddleback, Tasmania

13/ This photo shows the wall of mist that, unfortunately, ended my attempt to ascend Mt Ben Nevis that day.

 

Paradise Plains Sacred Tree

1/ The Paradise Plains Nature Reserve is in north eastern Tasmania. The area was logged in many places, but it is still home to some lovely old myrtle trees, like this 400 year old monarch.

Paradise Plains

2/ As you enter the Paradise Plains, you see Ben Nevis towering over the horizon to the south west. The reserve is a mixture of forests, plains and wet moss covered meadows.

Paradise Plains

3/ There is an emergency shelter. It has a stove, chairs and even a sleeping area. Just north of this hut is a very large plain.

Paradise Plains

4/ The forest area is a wonderland of trees and mosses.

Paradise Plains

5/ The mossy areas are a very rich green in colour and are very soft to walk on.

Paradise Plains

6/ The mosses grow in the wettest areas. These areas are crossed by many streamlets, which are easy to cross over.

Paradise Plains

7/ It is easy to imagine that this forest is the home of fairies and goblins.

Paradise Plains

8/ The moss cover changes in response to some local factors.

Paradise Plains

9/ This 400 year old myrtle is the pride of the forest. I was happy to be able to just experience its subline majesty. It was easy to understand why our ancestors adored these ancient trees.

Paradise Plains

10/ This is the same tree from the other side.

Paradise Plains

11/ This long shot shows you the full size of this old monarch. I estimate that it was about 30 metres high and about 3 metres girth.

Paradise Plains

12/ Nearby was another large myrtle. This tree was almost on the plain.

Paradise Plains

13/ This is the same tree looking at its eastern side. Note how the moss grows only on the southern side. Note too the contrast with the saplings of the rest of the forest.

Paradise Plains

14/ Beyond the forest was a treeless plain. Looking to the east were mounts Victoria and Albert.

Paradise Plains

15/ We then visited another area west of the plain to see other trees. Unfortunately, the largest of these, which was similar to the grand one shown above, had died.

Paradise Plains

16/ This was the most impressive that we saw in this area.

Paradise Plains

17/ We returned to our car just as the sun was setting on Ben Nevis.

 

Paradise Plains

1/ The Paradise Plains are in north eastern Tasmania, north of Mt Ben Nevis. This area has been logged, but there are still a number of outstanding natural attractions in this area, including a grove of ancient, giant, myrtle trees. This album shows images made on a trip in the winter of 2012.

Paradise Plains

2/ The Plains are an area consisting of plains, forests and moss covered meadows.

Paradise Plains

3/ There is an emergency shelter located just south of the large plain

Paradise Plains

4/ There are many small streamlets that flow into rivulets. The strange green plants on the side of this stream are cushion plants. These only grow in very wet areas.

Paradise Plains

5/ Cushion plants form a carpet in some areas. Since they are sensitive, we try to avoid walking on them. However, in the Paradise Plains they are so common that you have no choice.

Paradise Plains

6/ Other parts of the Plains are covered by this white moss, which also can form a dense carpet.

Paradise Plains

7/ We now walked through an area of saplings with a combination moss carpet at our feet.

Paradise Plains

8/ This was the first of the giant myrtle trees that we visited. It is about 400 years old. We are fortunate that the irregular shape of these trees made then unattractive to the loggers of the past. This myrtle tree was the largest that we found. The base diameter is about 3 metres in diameter. It had an ancient majesty about it that is difficult to describe.There were once many giant eucalyptus trees in this area as well. However, their straight shape made them attractive to loggers, so they are now all gone.

Paradise Plains

9/ This image shows the moss cover that enrapts all these trees. The hollows of these trees are used by a variety of native animals. The atmosphere of this ancient myrtle grove can only be described as ethereal. I felt that the fog really brought out the ancient feeling of this place.

Paradise Plains

10/ We now walked to the next group of trees. You will note how we are all wearing rain protection.

Paradise Plains

11/ This was the second giant myrtle tree that we visited. It was a bit smaller than the first, but still very ethereal in its effect on us.

Paradise Plains

12/ We now traversed the large plain to visit our next trees. In Tasmania the weather can change rapidly. This image shows the effect of a cloud moving across the landscape.

Paradise Plains

13/ This close up shows how the moss grows from living trees. It must be symbiotic.

Paradise Plains

14/ Unfortunately, this myrtle tree was hit my lightning causing the collapse of major branches. It was once as large and majestic as the first. However, the collapsed arm is so large that it will take decades to decay. It will be the home to many plant and animal species during this long period. The rest of the tree is green, showing how trees can recover even from this kind of major attack.

Paradise Plains

15/ This is another view of the tree showing the size of the fallen branches.

Paradise Plains

16/ We now went east across the large plain in the direction of Mt Victoria.

Paradise Plains

17/ We then followed a lovely streamlet....

Paradise Plains

18/ ... to a small, waterfall. The fall was about 6 metres.

 

light forest

1/ The club has asked me not to give the location of these photos, as they fear that the caves shown below may be vandalized. I can only say that the location is in north eastern Tasmania.

pond

2/ I love this combination of pond, trees and horizon.

forest

3/ You can see from the walkers that the rock behind them is about 20 metres high.

rock

4/ In the centre of this photo is one of the caves. The red in the centre is the back of a walker. This walker should give you some size perspective.

rock

5/ Again the walkers in this photo should give you some idea of the size of this rock. The hollows are caves.

rock

6/ This pyramid was huge. I estimated that it was about 50 metres to the summit from where I was standing.

cave

7/ This cave is about 3 times the height of a man. You can see the chalk like interior of the caves.

cave

8/ The combination of rock and vegetation make this look like a piece of abstract art.

cave

9/ I love these light and dark colours. Again it looks like a piece of abstract art. This cave entrance was about the height of a man.

cave

10/ This cave was also about the height of a man.

cave

11/ I was surprised to find that the inside of the cave consisted of a white chalk like rock. The entrance to the right was about half the height of a man.

tas icon