Mount Anne Circuit | An Unmissable Hike For The Adventurous

If you’re looking for a hike that will test your limits and leave you breathless with its constant beauty, the Mount Anne Circuit hike in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park is the one for you! 

Mount Anne is the tallest peak in the rugged Southwest National Park and part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area. The mountain range will leave you breathless as you wander along bony ridgelines overlooking Lake Pedder and into vast plateaus filled with ancient king billy pine and pandani that are found only in Tasmania. 

However, The Mt Anne Circuit hike is not one to underestimate, it demands respect from the hikers that attempt to complete it. But if you take on this challenge, razorback ridgelines and plummeting valleys will welcome you as you step into the ancient landscape surrounding Mount Anne in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park. 

We have completed our fair share of overnight hikes in Tasmania, but none so far match the challenge that the Mt Anne Circuit presents. Be prepared for precipitous cliffs, exposed boulders and steep gullies as you spend a few days hiking through the breathtaking terrain. 

In this guide to hiking the Mount Anne Circuit, we will cover all the questions you may have along with in-depth trip notes so that you can confidently plan your adventure into the wild terrain and conquer the highest peak in the Southwest National Park. 

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As this is a hefty guide, you can check out the overview below or the frequently asked questions for some quick answers. 

Mount Anne Circuit Hike Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

How Hard Is The Mount Anne Circuit?

The Mount Anne circuit is rated as a grade 5 – for highly advanced hikers only. We would have to agree with this rating after completing the circuit as there are many extremely exposed sections and some that require rock scrambling skills. 

If you have sufficient rock scrambling skills, can stay calm in exposed situations, and love a challenge, then this hike is a great choice for you. 

Do You Need Rope For The Mount Anne Circuit?

Yes, a rope is ideal for pack hauling. Some people choose not to take rope on the Mount Anne Circuit, however, we used it to haul our packs up The Notch (an exposed climb between two precipitous dolerite columns) and would have struggled without it. 

Even if you don’t think you’ll need to use rope, it’s always best to bring some just in case. I’d certainly rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it! 

Is There Water Along The Mount Anne Circuit?

There is a water tank located at the High Camp Memorial hut right before the Mt Eliza summit. After that, you can generally find some trickling water near Shelf Camp and if you can’t you can fill up from the tarn and treat the water. 

There are no streams near Lonely Tarns other than one flowing from the lake, which I would not use without treating first. The walk back along the Lake Judd track crosses several streams in which you can fill up.

We would recommend treating the water first if you aren’t used to drinking from streams and always treating water that comes from non-flowing sources. 

Can You Stay At The High Camp Memorial Hut?

Yes, you can spend the night at the High Camp Memorial hut that sits beneath Mt Eliza’s summit. The hut is small and cosy with a loft platform that can fit approximately 6 people comfortably. 

However, there have been entries into the hut’s logbook about a residential mouse that may deter you from wanting to sleep inside! If you do, remember to keep your food and scraps packed well away as mice are known to chew through backpacks! 

There are also a couple of flat spots outside the hut where you could squeeze in a tent or two. 

Getting To The Mt Anne Circuit

The Mt Anne trailhead is located at the Condominium Creek car park off Scotts Peak Dam Rd. The car park is 20 hrs 10 mins west of Hobart and 3 hrs 40 mins southwest of Launceston. 

Once you turn south off Gordon River Rd, you will drive along Scotts Peak Dam Rd – an unsealed road – for approximately 25 minutes before reaching the car park. This road is well-maintained and accessible for all vehicles.

The Mount Anne circuit finishes at the Lake Judd trail car park, a 10-minute drive further south. This requires you to either walk along the road to get back to your car or organise a car shuffle if possible. Another alternative is to stash a bike at the Lake Judd track car park so that you can cycle back to your car at Condominium Creek at the end of your hike.

Fees and Registration

To enter the Southwest National Park, a Tasmanian parks pass is required. You can buy these online or at any of the visitor’s centres in Tasmania. We recommend purchasing a 2-month pass if you plan to travel around Tasmania, after all, a vast majority of the state is a national park!

Due to COVID and the growing popularity of Mount Anne, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services have implemented a registration for hiking this trail. Registration is free and allows up to 10 people to depart each day. 

Note: You only need to register if you plan to camp at either Shelf Camp or Lonely Tarns. If you plan to do a day trip to Mount Anne, Mount Eliza or Lake Judd, you don’t need to register. 

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Mount Anne Circuit Trail Itineraries

The Mount Anne Circuit is generally completed in either 3 to 4 days. This may seem overkill when you compare the timings with the overall distance but don’t be fooled…

We completed the Mount Anne circuit in three days, however, if we had more information on summiting Mount Anne, we would have left earlier on the first day to attempt a summit that afternoon. We later found out that residual moisture covers the rocks until midday and creates less than ideal conditions for a summit attempt.

Note: On average, we walk a kilometre in under 15 minutes on flat ground and between 20 and 30-minutes on steep and rocky trails. On the Mount Anne Circuit’s second day, we took 2 hours to walk 2 kilometres over the infamous ridgeline where the ‘Notch’ is found – the elevation for these 2 kilometres was less than 200!! 

Remember, a car shuffle or 8 km walk along Scott Peaks Dam Rd is needed to complete the circuit.  

3-Day Mt Anne Circuit Trail Notes

Below you’ll find detailed notes of the Mount Anne Circuit, divided into the 3-day itinerary that we completed. You can use these notes for whichever itinerary you choose.

Day 1 – Condominium Creek Car Park To Shelf Camp

7.3 km | 5 – 6 hrs | 1,019 m elevation gain | 1,244 m highest elevation

Your wild adventure will begin slightly less wild with a boardwalk leading to the longest staircase you’ve likely seen in the wilderness. The pinkish-white shale rock path snakes along the ridgelines leading to Mount Eliza’s dolerite peak, completely exposed after the 2018/19 bushfires ravaged these southwest mountains. 

While the fires caused much devastation to the once lush mountainside, a slight silver lining is presented in the fact that you now have uninterrupted views of the craggy peaks protruding from Lake Pedder throughout the entire climb. 

After 4 km and over 700 m elevation gain, you’ll reach the High Camp Memorial Hut which is an ideal place to stop for an early lunch – especially when the weather is grim. At the hut, there is a toilet and a rainwater tank – the last water tank for the entire circuit.

From the High Camp Memorial Hut, you’ll leave the well-groomed trail behind as you begin to climb over a mess of giant dolerite boulders that lead to Mount Eliza’s peak. Rock cairns aid in keeping you on course as you slowly inch your way closer. 

This section of the Mount Anne Circuit can take between 30 – 50 minutes, even though the distance is less than a kilometre! 

Standing atop the wide expanse of Mt Eliza’s summit, you’ll receive your first glimpse of Lake Judd far down below and a snippet of the jagged peaks en-route in the coming days. To the south, the Western Arthurs’ iconic mountain range cuts the horizon with its razor-like ridgeline. 

Once you’ve soaked in either the view or dense cloud, the muddy alpine trail will lead you across the plateau towards the great Mount Anne. Rocks have been strategically placed along the wet trail to avoid your feet getting too wet and to protect the fragile alpine plants flanking the track. 

After approximately 2 km of crossing the plateau on the most welcomed (almost) flat trail, you’ll reach the base of Eve Peak where the western slopes are littered with another field of giant boulders. Your rock hopping skills are needed once more as you traverse around Eve Peak. 

Slowly but surely, as you round the mountain towards the northern point, you’ll get your first up-close look at the magnificent Mount Anne. 

The landscape that unfolds from this point is truly breathtaking. Lake Pedder, with its many mountainous islands rising from the deep blue water, envelopes the east. While the west is filled with gnarled dolerite peaks and ancient king billy pines nestling on the alpine shelves. 

To the south, the trail that you’ve just completed winds down the spine of Mt Eliza. And to the north, Mount Anne’s many dolerite columns stand imposingly against the horizon.

A giant rock cairn marks the point where the trail forks, descending on the right to Shelf Camp or continuing on high ground to the left towards the summit of Mount Anne. 

Note: Mt Anne typically takes approximately 2 hours to complete from this point, requiring a fair chunk of exposed rock scrambling. It’s not recommended to attempt this if there are not enough daylight hours left or when the rocks are wet. 

Side Trip – Shelf Camp To Mount Anne Summit

3 km | 2.5 – 4 hrs | 360 m elevation gain | 1,423 m highest elevation

Dropping your packs and continuing north towards the summit of Mount Anne, the track traverses along the eastern face of a high point just below Mount Anne’s summit. You’ll dip into another, smaller, saddle right before taking on the final ascent. 

Past the saddle, the boulders almost double in size as the gradient steepens. Picking your way up and over, following the rock cairns, you’ll finally reach the dolerite wall that you are to scale to reach the peak.

Rock cairns are laid out well here, making it easy to stay on course as you climb and traverse slightly to the left. However, the line that you must take at this point is steep, slanted and very exposed. When the rocks are wet, it is quite dangerous and I’d only recommend summiting at this time if you’re a skilled rock climber. 

Note: We turned back at this point as we attempted the summit in the morning when the rocks were still covered in frost. However, this is what you can expect for the remaining 100 m or so.

Once you’ve pulled yourself up onto the skinny ledge above, the trail traverses along the ledge to the right until you reach another set of boulders. Climbing up and over these, you’ll circle around to the north of the peak to complete the final few metres. 

From the peak of Mount Anne, as you perch yourself on the precarious dolerite pillars, you’re rewarded with 360 degree views of the entire Southwest National Park laid out beneath you. 

The Mount Anne summit is a thrilling experience that requires good rock scrambling skills and a healthy appetite for exposed heights! 

It is possible to summit Mount Anne in a day from Condominium Creek, but I would only suggest this for the most advanced hikers. Some choose to conquer it in two days, spending a night at Shelf Camp. 

To accomplish the summit as part of the Mt Anne Circuit, it’s best to plan the side trip for the afternoon. The rocks that you must climb up to reach the peak are shadowed until after midday and are quite slippery until the sun hits them. 

Descending To Shelf Camp

Descending to Shelf Camp, the trail sidles close to the long northeastern face of Eve Peak.

Gnarled tree roots and small shrubs act as holds as you pick your way through the steep and slippery terrain.

Shelf camp, as the name suggests, is an open rock slab shelf that sits almost halfway between the summit of Eve peak and the deep valley below. It has the most beautiful view of Mount Anne, the distant mountains beyond the sweeping northern valley and the serrated ridgeline in the east that leads to the second camp. 

There is an open toilet here, in the simplest form…

It consists of a ‘bucket’ with a lid on a platform that you squat over. While it’s not the most lavish of toilets, it certainly has one of the best views I’ve ever witnessed while on the loo! 

When you camp here, it’s important to set your tent up on a rock slab as the surrounding plants are very fragile and won’t recover. There are a couple of good slabs that can accommodate at least 4 – 8 tents somewhat comfortably. 

Water can be sourced from the trickling streams between the many tarns, or from the tarns themselves if the streams are dry. If you’re not used to drinking fresh water from streams, be sure to boil the water first or use a water filter to avoid getting sick. 

Day 2 – Shelf Camp To Lonely Tarns Camp

4 km | 5 – 6 hrs | 273 m elevation gain | 1,244 m highest elevation

If the weather is behaving, be sure to wake up for sunrise. When the first light hits the sheer rock wall below Mount Anne’s summit, it glows a brilliant orange that’s mirrored in the numerous tarns on the shelf. 

After enjoying a peaceful and breathtaking sunrise, the lure of a fresh alpine swim at the Lonely Tarns campsite should encourage you to swiftly pack up camp and get on your way. 

Leaving Shelf Camp, you’ll begin to pick your way east through deep mud and spiky branches. It becomes quite apparent that this trail is scarcely used as the dense vegetation threatens to consume the trail entirely. 

The trail continues in this fashion for just under a kilometre until you reach the thin dolerite ridgeline encircling Lake Judd far below. 

While you may begin to miss the security of the overgrown trail as you become accustomed to the stark exposure of the ridge, the unveiling views will do wonders in helping you to forget your predicament. 

The precipitous slopes plummet to deep valleys below, dotted with several sparkling tarns and bright green king billy pines towering above the rest of the vegetation. Distant mountain ranges fill the horizon with their gnarled peaks, enhancing the sweet sense of insignificance in this ancient landscape. 

Picking your way between the giant boulders, you’ll require hands and feet to haul yourself along the rocky ridgeline. The many rock cairns and the occasional etched arrow into a boulder help to guide you along the easiest route possible. 

After approximately 500 m of rock scrambling, the trail will drop off to the left. This may be your first pack haul, where you’ll need to shimmy down between two exposed boulders. We found no need for ropes here, however, passing packs made our life a whole lot easier. 

We pack hauled a second time not long after, where a full extension was needed to drop from one boulder to the next.

After about 100 m of traversing the dirt track on the northern side of the peak, you finally get a glimpse of the infamous Notch. From this vantage point, it looks quite menacing but luckily, the trail leads up and over the peak towards a much more relaxing descent. 

Descending to the notch through a steep and sometimes muddy chute, you’ll reach solid and flat ground between the two dolerite columns.

Using rope to haul your packs up The Notch saves a lot of stress and time. There are several awkward moves that packs would complicate further while you’re exposed to an unsavoury fall. 
The last move requires a big stretch to reach the handhold and proved quite tough for the shorter ones in our group. You can heave yourself up and hook your leg over, but it’s best to get the taller people up first so they can assist the rest.

After conquering the Notch, a feeling of relief washes over you as you realise you’ve completed the toughest section of the day! While the remaining is no walk in the park, the rope shouldn’t be needed again. 

Traversing along the western face of Lighting Ridge, your finest balancing skills are required to remain upright on the skinny dirt track. 100 m or so pass while you carefully pick your way towards the bouldered peak of Lightning Ridge. 

As you reach the rocky summit, a tight squeeze forces another pack haul to gain higher ground. While these boulders demands larger and more awkward manoeuvres, you’ve left the stark exposure below on the dirt track for a little while. 

Inching your way closer to the summit of the day, remember to take a moment to let the scenery wash over you. Shelf Camp is still visible below Mount Anne and to your left, Lake Judd shimmers magically beneath Mount Eliza’s vast plateau. 

A long and arduous descent of 320 m over the final 2 km awaits as you leave Lightning Ridge’s summit behind. Slippery mud-covered boulders create a slight hazard as you slowly crawl down the rocky spine. 

One super tight section requires a final pack haul to help you drop down onto the steep and slick trail below. 

With just over a kilometre to go before reaching Lonely Tarns Camp, the trail drops off to descend the dense eastern slopes of the ridgeline and you’re transported into a wild enchanted forest! The scenery is such a wonderful contrast to what you’ve previously been walking through. 

Giant pandani cover the tracks, some growing over 2 m tall, the roots of myrtle beech trees and king billy pines intertwine and moss covers the entire scene in hundreds of shades of green. Vibrant fungi of all shapes and colours grow among the rotting forest floor. 

While still incredibly steep, the many twisted trunks and branches make the descent far more enjoyable. You’re able to relax a little knowing you’ve left the exposed ridgeline and now the dense forest will catch you if fall!

Finally, the trees begin to thin and you emerge into a vast moorland dotted with tarns and low-lying shrubs. Camp can be seen at the eastern point of Lonely Tarns and only a small rise stands in the way. 

Camping At Lonely Tarns Camp

Four large tent platforms (each accommodating at least two tents) have been built along the shore of Lonely Tarns, with phenomenal views of the jagged ridgeline you’ve just accomplished.

Lonely Tarns is the perfect place for a much-needed swim, however, this is also your only water source. Filtering or boiling this water before drinking or cooking with it is highly advised to avoid disease. 

Along with the tent platforms, the Lonely Tarns Camp has a toilet much the same as the one found at Shelf Camp hidden in the trees.

Day 3 – Lonely Tarns To Lake Judd Car Park

12 km | 6 – 7 hrs | 596 m elevation gain | 1,130 m highest elevation

If the skies are clear on your final morning of the Mount Anne Circuit hike, you’ll witness the sun creeping along Lonely Tarns on its way to light up the dolerite peaks you traversed the day before. 

There truly is no better way to start the day. 

Leaving the lake behind, the track wanders west through low lying shrubs of wild plum and tea trees. You’ll encounter deep mud and thick scrub along this seldom-used trail as it ascends towards the open grassland beneath Mount Sarah Jane. 

Once you hit the meadows, where snow daisies litter the green alpine grass, you may think you’ve reached the peak but in fact, you have a ways to go. 

The trail is extremely faint and difficult to follow through the open mountainside. Avoiding the fragile cushion plants is not easy but try to stick to the hardy looking grasses and where others have walked wherever you can. 

Eventually, as you reach a crest in the mountain, the remaining climb along a windblown ridgeline comes into view. 

The trail swings south as the gradient steepens and becomes exposed to the wild winds of the west. It’s quite obvious that the weather is often brutal on this exposed ridge, with stunted king billy pines bent over without a single branch facing west. 

Deep mud fills the trail all the way to the base of Mount Sarah Jane’s summit, where there is a distinct change in terrain. Dolerite rocks are replaced by sedimentary white rocks that are coarse and crumbly.

Once you traverse around the east of Mount Sarah Jane’s peak, you’ll reach the edge of the alpine plateau and begin the long and steep descent to Lake Judd. 

Don’t be fooled by a false trail at this point. Instead of descending directly beneath the giant boulder to your right, the actual trail drops off further to the left. After a bit of scoping, it’s easy to find the rock cairn leading the correct way. 

Over the next 2.6 km, you will descend 530 m in elevation to reach the turnoff to Lake Judd. The seemingly never-ending descent is covered in thick vegetation and a deep layer of mud, yet the beauty of the wild forest will keep you from concentrating solely on your tired and muddy legs. 

Finally, you’ll pop out of the trees and find your first boardwalk since Mount Eliza. It is a welcomed sight at this point and you’ll relish in the feeling of being able to walk on solid ground for a while. 

After a few hundred metres of boardwalk bliss, you’ll reach the intersection with Lake Judd. This is a 1.1 km detour to the water’s edge that we decided to miss. 

Continuing southwest, the remaining 6 km of the trail is a mixture of stairs, boardwalks and only a few muddy sections. The revamp of the track after the 2018/19 wildfires makes this section a breeze to complete.

After wandering through tall buttongrass plains beneath the gnarled mountain creases of Schnells Ridge, you’ll finally reach the Lake Judd car park and the end of an epic adventure. 

Looking back on the rugged mountains that we had just conquered, you can’t help but feel a great sense of accomplishment. The Mount Anne Circuit was our most challenging hike yet, but the panoramic vistas that surround you throughout the entire three days are breathtaking and worth every single step. 

Additional Information For Hiking the Mount Anne Circuit

Best Time To Hike The Mount Anne Circuit

The Mount Anne circuit is a difficult trail that is made even more treacherous in harsh weather conditions. It is not advisable to attempt this circuit, especially the section between Shelf Camp and Lonely Tarns, in rain, snow or high winds. 

The best time to attempt the Mt Anne Circuit is between December and April when the weather is most often clear. Many hikers make it to Shelf Camp and end up turning back if the weather isn’t calm enough for a summit of Mount Anne or the entire circuit. 

Leave No Trace

Mount Anne is located in the Southwest National Park, a world-heritage listed site and the largest national park in Tasmania. Many endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the Southwest National Park and require our help to protect them. 

Whenever you’re entering the wilderness, you should follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles to ensure you are doing your part in helping to keep our wild places wild. The 7 leave no trace principles are:

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly 
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimise campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

The alpine is full of fragile plants such as the cushion plant that is damaged as soon as you step foot on it. Make sure you stay on the track wherever possible and wear the appropriate gear to enable you to walk through the muddy sections without leaving the track. 

Lastly, the Mount Anne Circuit is thankfully free of a fungus called Phytophthora Cinnamomi that kills native plants in Tasmania. To help stop the spread, clean your shoes, walking poles, gaiters and trowel before entering the track.

What To Pack For The Mount Anne Circuit Tasmania

The Mount Anne circuit is a multi-day hike that leads you deep into the west coast wilderness. The weather can change drastically and the temperatures can plummet even in summer. It’s best to prepare for all kinds of weather conditions when packing for the Mount Anne Circuit. 

The hike is remote and in some places, dangerously steep and exposed. Navigation is relatively straightforward in most sections, however, hikers have been known to go missing in extreme weather conditions. We recommend packing all the essentials for this hike and touching up on your navigation skills. 

Below is a list of the most important items you should always carry when hiking in wild destinations. In addition to this list, we also recommend bringing along a rope that is at least 10 metres long for pack hauling at the Notch.

Check The Weather

The Mount Anne circuit shouldn’t be attempted in harsh weather conditions. There are many sections that require rock scrambling on exposed ridgelines, which would become even more dangerous if the rocks were wet or icy. 

For the most accurate weather forecast, we use Mountain Forecast which allows you to check the weather for different elevations.

Where To Stay Near Mt Anne

The closest towns to Mt Anne are Strathgordon and Maydena. There are a couple of accommodation options at these locations, along with three campgrounds located around Lake Pedder. 

Accommodation In Maydena

• Giants Tables and Cottages
• Maydena Mountain Cabins and Alpacas
• Maydena Chillhouse
• Tyenna River Cottage

Accommodation in Strathgordon

• Pedder Wilderness Lodge

Camping near Mount Anne

• Edgar Dam Campground
• Huon Campgrounds
• Teds Beach Campgrounds
• Mount Field National Park campgrounds