Introduction
The Flat Rock Lookout walk is an easy 12km return trail through the conservation woodlands of Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary and Flat Rock Reserve. Leaving Chauncey Vale, this walk steadily climbs 480m via wide fire trails and single track to two Flat Rock summit lookouts, where unique distant views of Mount Wellington kunanyi, Hobart and the Southern Midlands are achieved.
This trail can be combined with the Browns Caves or other short walks in the Chauncy Vale Area. Alternative routes, wildlife guides and historical information are all available from the information boards at the start of the walk. A 2 dollar donation is required upon entry.
As one of the oldest private conservation areas in Tasmania, the Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Flat Rock Reserve presents 835 hectares of native bushland to explore.
Getting There
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Chauncy Vale is located 40km north of Hobart, near the township of Bagdad. From Hobart, take the Brooker Highway (A10) north, crossing the Bridgewater Bridge after 20km. Continue on the Highway through to Bagdad and turn right onto Chauncy Vale Road. The Flat Rock Lookout walk begins from the Chauncy Vale Picnic area, 4km along the road. There is a $2 entry fee per adult that can be paid at the entry gate. |
The Trail
Leaving the Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary parking area, the trail continues along the road past the day-use barbeque facilities and walker registration. After registering your walk, the trail edges Browns Caves Rivulet along the wide and well-graded Rivulet Track, crossing it via a Pedestrian bridge. Eve’s Bath, where the Chauncy Family bathed, is passed before the rivulet is crossed again via another bridge.
The trail then quickly crosses the rivulet a third time via creek stones, passing the turn-off to Browns Caves which can be followed on the return route. From here, the trail begins the steady 440m ascent to the lookouts via the Flat Rock Track. This initial section of the track is wide and well-graded. After 1km, the 20-minute return side track to Guvy’s Lagoon is passed. Although extremely dry during summer, Guvy’s Lagoon is a pleasant spot to view the sandstone cliffs beyond Browns Caves.
The track continues uphill for another 3km, as well-positioned signposts help direct you to the summit while the trail weaves through lovely sections of silver peppermint and blue gum forest. Once near the top, the western lookout is reached via a short downhill track. From the Western Lookout, pleasant distant views of Mount Wellington kunanyi and Southern Midlands are achieved. The intricate nature of the Browns Caves network can also be seen in detail here.
Returning to the trail, the Eastern Lookout is reached after another 600m further uphill. From the flat plateau of the Eastern Lookout, broad sweeping views of the surrounding hillsides are achieved, with Mount Wellington kunanyi visible to the south.
Return to the trailhead via the same route.
For more information on Chauncy Vale and its history, please visit its official website.
Trail Map
Map for illustrative purposes only. Base map supplied by Land Information System Tasmania.
Photos
