Great Short Walk works to recommence on kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Published on 05 January 2018

Helicopter air drops and heritage track works will recommence on kunanyi / Mount Wellington today as the City of Hobart rolls out stage two of its Great Short Walk Rejuvenation Project.

The work follows the successful completion of stage one, which has turned the rocky, uneven track from The Chalet to beneath the Organ Pipes into a safe pathway through some of the mountain's most spectacular boulder fields.

The Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman Sue Hickey, said she was excited works were starting up again.

"The Organ Pipes Track used to pose serious challenges to many walkers, but now, most people of average fitness will have no problems following the track over the boulder field where they will get magical views out over Hobart,” said the Lord Mayor.

For the next two months track builders will restore the remaining sections of the Organ Pipes Track before they begin work on the Pinnacle Track.

The Organ Pipes Track is almost 1000 metres above sea level and was built in 1931 during the Great Depression, providing work for unemployed men.

The Great Short Walk Rejuvenation Project employs the same style, techniques and materials as the original work to maintain the track’s heritage values.

Rejuvenating the Organ Pipes Track is part of the City’s commitment to improving visitor experiences on kunanyi / Mount Wellington through its One Mountain, One Destination, Three New Visitor Experiences program.

“When completed, we hope the track will return to its 1930s heyday when people flocked to the mountain for day walks.  This work will certainly help maintain the walk’s status as the only Great Short Walk in Hobart,” Ald Hickey said.

Road access to the summit of the mountain will remain open but to ensure public and worker safety, the Upper Sawmill Track and the Organ Pipes Track from the Zig Zag Track junction will be closed for approximately 900 metres towards The Chalet.

There will also be short-term track closures during helicopter operations on the Zig Zag and Pinnacle tracks. For more details see Great short walk rejuvenation.

When not closed for helicopter operations, there will be walking access to the pinnacle from the old hotel site via the Pinnacle and Zig Zag tracks.

Further information on the works, including maps, the proposed track closures and proposed helicopter flight dates can be found on the City of Hobart website here: Great short walk rejuvenation.