Arthur Range

Last updated

Arthur Range
High-Moor-from-Mount-Columba.jpg
Looking across High Moor from Mount Columba towards Mount Capricorn and Mount Pegasus
Highest point
Elevation 1,224 m (4,016 ft) AHD   [1]
Parent peak Federation Peak
Coordinates 43°16′17″S146°28′32″E / 43.27139°S 146.47556°E / -43.27139; 146.47556
Geography
Relief Map of Tasmania.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Location in Tasmania, Australia
Country Australia
State Tasmania
Region South West
Range coordinates 43°12′S146°25′E / 43.200°S 146.417°E / -43.200; 146.417 Coordinates: 43°12′S146°25′E / 43.200°S 146.417°E / -43.200; 146.417

The Arthur Range is a mountain range in the South West Wilderness, located in south-west Tasmania, Australia. The range is broken into two main sections, the Western Arthurs and the Eastern Arthurs. Both sections of the range are popular overnight bushwalking destinations, generally in summer.

Contents

History

The Arthur Range lies in the traditional country of the South-West Nation of the Aboriginal Tasmanian people [2] and the traditional name is Loinnekumme (LOINNE.KUM.ME). [3] The range was renamed by George Augustus Robinson for Governor George Arthur after Robinson climbed Mount Frederick (now Mount Hayes) in March 1830. [4]

In December 2019, a Par Avion plane being piloted by Nikita Williams crashed into the ranges. There was poor visibility at the time. [5]

Geology

It is mainly composed of Quartzite and features evidence of past glaciation such as moraines and hanging valleys.

Flora and fauna

Federation Peak within the Eastern Arthur Range Federation Peak.jpg
Federation Peak within the Eastern Arthur Range

Much of the Arthur Range and the area surrounding land is covered by button grass wet sedgelands. Most of the remainder of the land is covered by eucalypt.

Birds are the most common animals (e.g. yellow-tailed black cockatoos). In dryer areas, Pademelons may also be seen.

Climate

The climate in the Arthur Range is extremely unstable – weather predictions are virtually useless here, as it is very common to have sun, heavy rain, cloud, strong winds, even snow all in the same day. The top of the range is classed as Sub-Alpine or Alpine. During winter these mountains are snow-capped. Snow has been experienced every season, with regular snowfalls during summer, though many of these snowfalls don't settle. The climate is mostly decided by the wind. The temperature can change very quickly with warm air from Northern Tasmania, or very cold air from the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Walking

As with other parts of Tasmania's south-west, the trails are extremely muddy – very frequently it is more than ankle deep. The mud does not dissipate with altitude up the mountain range either, except where there is bare rock.

Like many other parts of Tasmania, this area is susceptible to Phytophthora (root rot). To avoid spreading it, walkers are encouraged to stay to the main trail. In order to reduce mechanical damage to plants, walkers are also encouraged to wade through the middle of muddy track sections.

Hikers should ensure they are well prepared for any weather conditions, and have enough food for one or two extra days.

Western Arthurs

The Western Arthurs extends generally East-West from Mount Hesperus to West Portal. This section of the range was first traversed in the early 1960s. [6]

Access to the Western Arthurs is usually from the Scotts peak dam camp site ( 43°02′15″S146°17′52″E / 43.03750°S 146.29778°E / -43.03750; 146.29778 ) via part of the Port Davey Track.

The Western Arthur range can be seen on the left hand side Lake Pedder From Mt Eliza.jpg
The Western Arthur range can be seen on the left hand side

Lakes

The Western Arthurs are studded with many lakes formed from ice-age glaciers. Among these are:

Mountains

From the north western end, closest to the Port Davey Track: [7]

Eastern Arthurs

The Eastern Arthurs runs North-South from the end of the Western Arthurs and includes the highest peak of the range, the striking Federation Peak. This section of the range was first traversed in December 1947 by a group from the Hobart Walking Club. [8]

Lakes

From the north include:

Mountains

From the north:

Named features

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Pedder</span> Lake in South West Tasmania, Australia

Lake Pedder, once a glacial outwash lake, is a man-made impoundment and diversion lake located in the southwest of Tasmania, Australia. In addition to its natural catchment from the Frankland Range, the lake is formed by the 1972 damming of the Serpentine and Huon rivers by the Hydro Electric Commission of Tasmania for the purposes of hydroelectric power generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast Range</span> Mountain range in Tasmania, Australia

The West Coast Range is a mountain range located in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Owen (Tasmania)</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Owen is a mountain directly east of the town of Queenstown on the West Coast Range in Western Tasmania, Australia.

Mount Jukes is a mountain located on the Jukes Range, a spur off the West Coast Range, in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Sedgwick (Tasmania)</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Sedgwick is a mountain located within the West Coast Range, in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia.

Mount Geikie is a mountain in the West Coast Range of Western Tasmania, Australia.

The Eldon Range is a mountain range located in the west coast region of Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Coast Track</span> Hiking trail in Southwest National Park, Tasmania, Australia

The South Coast Track is a bushwalking track located in the South Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. The 85-kilometre (53 mi) track traverses remote wilderness within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site, and is managed as a wilderness walk. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service recommend that experienced bushwalkers can take six-to-eight days to cover the track in one direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Anne</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Anne is a mountain located in the Southwest National Park in south-west region of Tasmania, Australia. The mountain lies within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scotts Peak</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Scotts Peak is a mountain in South West Tasmania which is associated with the construction and flooding of the original Lake Pedder, as the lake now completely surrounds the peak. It lies east of the Frankland Range and has an elevation of 669 metres.

The Scotts Peak Dam is a rockfill embankment dam without a spillway across the Huon River, located in the South West region of Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount King William</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount King William I is a mountain adjacent to the Lyell Highway in Central Highlands, Tasmania. It is located 10 km southwest of Derwent Bridge. It is the northernmost of the King William Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankland Range</span> Mountain range in Tasmania, Australia

The Frankland Range is a mountain range that is located in the south-west region of Tasmania, Australia. The range forms part of a natural south-western border to the impounded Lake Pedder, formed by the damming of the Serpentine and Huon rivers.

Mount Lloyd Jones is a mountain in South West Tasmania named after aviator and adventurer, Lloyd Lindsay Jones MBE (1916–2004). It lies on the South East end of the Frankland Range jutting out towards the east from the range towards the impoundment Lake Pedder. It is west of the end of the ridge line leading to the edge of Lake Pedder at Terminal Peak and North East of Secheron Peak.

Terminal Peak is a mountain in South West Tasmania.

The Port Davey Track, officially the Old Port Davey Track, is a bushwalking track located in the south western region of Tasmania, Australia. The 70-kilometre (43 mi) track traverses remote wilderness within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site, and is managed as a wilderness walk. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service recommend that experienced bushwalkers can take four-to-five days to cover the track in one direction.

Lake Westwood is a 35-hectare (86-acre) glacial lake in the Tyndalls peaks to the east of Mount Read, in the West Coast Range, West Coast of Tasmania.

Pyramid Peak, is the highest peak in the range of the Pyramid Mountains at 6,001 feet (1,829 m), in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Pyramid Peak is located 7.5 miles south of Lordsburg in the Pyramid Mountains. It has also been called Big Pyramid Mountain and North Pyramid Peak.

The Prince of Wales Range is a mountain range in the South West Wilderness, Tasmania, Australia. It is situated north and parallel to the Denison River. It lies to the west of Lake Gordon, and southeast of Frenchmans Cap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King William Range</span> Mountain range in Tasmania, Australia

The King William Range is a mountain range in the South West Wilderness, Tasmania, Australia. It is situated south of the Lyell Highway and Derwent Bridge. It is the source of the Gordon River catchment.

References

  1. ↑ "Federation Peak, Australia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  2. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Jamie; Lefroy, Ted; Harwood, Andrew (October 2018). "Turning place into space – Place motivations and place spaces in Tasmania". Landscape and Urban Planning. 178: 112–121. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.05.027.
  3. ↑ Plomley, NJB (1991). Tasmanian Aboriginal Place Names (PDF) (Report). Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery. p. 26. Occasional paper No. 3. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  4. ↑ Doran, Kevin (2004). Federation: Australia's Adventure Peak. Desdichado. p. 14. ISBN   0-9586935-1-X.
  5. ↑ "'I love my job': Queensland pilot's dream ends in tragedy in Tasmania". ABC News. 10 December 2018.
  6. ↑ Chapman, John (1998). South West Tasmania (4 ed.). JOHN CHAPMAN. p. 12. ISBN   0-9596129-5-5.
  7. ↑ refer to Tasmap 1:25,000 'Crossing', Razorback, Glovers - or to map on page 150 of Chapman's South West Tasmania book
  8. ↑ Chapman, John (1998). South West Tasmania (4 ed.). JOHN CHAPMAN. p. 144. ISBN   0-9596129-5-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.