Extensions to the Tinderbox Hills Track have been completed from Estuary Drive to Mt Louis Rd, creating better access for walkers and mountain bikers.
Kingborough Acting Mayor, Clare Glade-Wright said Council has been liaising with private landowners over many years to formally extend this track for public recreational use.
“This project opens up a track along the ridgeline to allow us all to enjoy this special location,” Cr Glade-Wright said.
“The extended track now continues through the Thinking Frog Private Reserve and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy’s Tinderbox Hills Reserve to Mt Louis Rd.
“Horse riders will be allowed to ride on the track through Thinking Frog Reserve but will not be able to continue through Tasmanian Land Conservancy Tinderbox Hills Reserve to Mt Louis Rd.
“On lead dog walking is allowed between 1 April and 30 June each year, and then prohibited all other times, due to Wedge-tailed Eagle nesting season.
“The Thinking Frog Reserve was established in 2007 and the Tasmania Land Conservancy Tinderbox Hills Reserve only as recently as 2021.
“The biodiversity values of both these private land parcels are protected under the Nature Conservation Act.
“In providing access along the track, we have focused on minimising any impact on the diverse and vulnerable blue gum dry forest and woodland community which is listed as a threatened vegetation community in Tasmania.
“Users must stay on the main marked track at all times due to the covenant obligations of the private landholders and the sensitive nature values including forty spotted pardalote and eastern barred bandicoots.
“The track starts at Estuary Drive and horse riders are encouraged to park their horse floats at the Huntingfield car park at Peter Murrell Reserve.
“The track is 4.5 km return from Estuary Drive to Mt Louis Rd and has several steep sections with loose rocks.
“The track also has fabulous views from the ridgeline across to Storm Bay and North West Bay.
“For a longer walk or ride, you can combine with the tracks in the Peter Murrell Reserve.
“Council acknowledges and appreciates the support offered by the Thinking Frog Reserve and Tasmanian Land Conservancy with this project.”
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy is a not-for-profit organisation that protects nature on private land, both on its own reserves and in partnership with landholders.
More information on TLC and the Tinderbox Hills Reserve can be found at www.tasland.org.au/reserves/tinderbox-hills/