The Tyndall Range at long last

With the weather looking amazing across the state I decided to make the drive across to the west coast to do something new. The Tyndall Range has long been on my to-do list, but the fickle weather has always kept me away. Not this time though. Leaving after work I drove as far as Lake Burbury where there is a good campsite for only $6. I can’t see the caretaker there getting rich any time soon.

The next morning I completed the drive and found the start of the walk where there were a few other cars. After a short section of gravel road I was on a muddy track through button grass but this soon gave way to more open country as I climbed above the tree line. On top of the range it was clear and easy walking through low alpine vegetation, with patches of fagus (which were just starting to change colour). Mount Tyndall was the first destination with views to everywhere – the coast, Frenchmans Cap, Du Cane Range, Eldons etc. Next stop was a the overhang where the climbers camp.

It was in an amazing setting, with a tarn out the front and close to the huge cliffs which surround Lake Huntley. I could see the attraction of climbing the conglomerate here on a good day.

I found a spot to camp down at Lake Tyndall after a relatively short day. By coincidence the news today featured a story about a potential new upmarket walk near the Tyndalls. I’m not sure how well the west coast weather will go down with the tourists (Queenstown has an average of 242 rain days per year).

After dinner I climbed the nearest hill to watch the sun set. It was a beautiful evening with no wind. A handful of people popped up on other high points, all doing the same.

Expecting a big day I was up before the sun, and after a quick breakfast, set off for Mt Geikie. There was no track but the walking was easy and after 1.5hrs and a short scramble I reached the top.

There was a trig point complete with a rusty whisk (yes, one of those things you use for cooking), although I can’t imagine what that was doing there. This peak is above Lake Margaret and I could just make out where the wood stave pipeline runs.

Back at the lake I made a coffee while I packed up camp, then made my way back down to the car. On the drive home I stopped in at the Hungry Wombat where the sign informed me that the kitchen closed at 4pm. It was 4:05pm.