Hobart’s long planned vision for a visitor hub at Halls Saddle has taken a step forward, with councillors endorsing and formally noting a master plan that will now guide the project’s next phase.
The Halls Saddle Visitor Hub Master Plan Options Analysis has been received as a key input into future planning, design and business case development for improved access to Kunanyi / Mount Wellington. While not a final design, it signals the start of a broader conversation about the site’s future, with detailed work and community consultation still to come.
Momentum for the project has been supported by an almost $3.2 million investment from the Federal Government, aimed at progressing planning, feasibility studies and community engagement for a new precinct at the key entry point to the mountain.
The disused quarry site in Ridgeway Reserve has been identified as a strategic lower foothills gateway, helping address growing pressure on the mountain, which attracts about 583,000 visitors a year. Most of those visits are concentrated at the Pinnacle and the Springs, raising concerns about infrastructure, safety and environmental impacts.
Drone image of Halls Saddle, located at the foot of Kunanyi / Mt Wellington.
Speaking on ABC Hobart, Terroir director Scott Balmforth, the architect behind the options plan, said it was an early but important step in shaping what could be developed at Halls Saddle.
“It’s a really early stage in what is a long-term vision for the Hall Saddle Visitor Hub,” he said.
“It’s an important step in just seeing the types of sizes of buildings and car parking and other facilities that might fit on that site to give council some options going forth.”
The proposal positions Halls Saddle as a transition point, where visitors could shift from private vehicles to alternative transport options, including shuttles or active travel, as visitation continues to grow.
“It could be a transition place where people could drive and then hop in all-terrain vehicles or something to get to the top of Kunanyi in inclement weather,” Balmforth said.
Four layout options were explored within the already disturbed quarry footprint, with an emphasis on minimising environmental impact and preserving the surrounding landscape.
Mr Balmforth said the design work sought to keep development largely out of view from Huon Road.
“We’ve tried to preserve those natural values of the site,” he said.
The preferred approach identified in the analysis is a compact, three-level hub integrated into the quarry face (Option 3), with a larger five-level alternative (Option 4) retained for consideration depending on future transport and parking needs.
Mr Balmforth said these options concentrate parking into a smaller footprint, reducing the need for additional clearing.
“Option three and four is our recommendation, and they’re the ones that really consolidate the parking into a smaller footprint over multi-levels,” he said.
He said the approach could also enhance the visitor experience by opening space for recreation and providing views toward the summit.
“And interestingly, what that does, it means from that building you can see the pinnacle,” Mr Balmforth said.
“It also opens up a lot more space that could be used for sort of recreation.”
Early concepts suggest the hub could include amenities such as a café, toilets and flexible spaces for retail, bike services or wellness uses, though details remain undefined.
“With the future in mind, something will likely happen to sort of, you know, control and manage traffic on the mountain,” Mr Balmforth said.
With the master plan now endorsed and noted, the project will move into further investigation, including detailed analysis and community and Palawa engagement to help shape the next stage of the Halls Saddle vision.