Wild Dog Campsite | Walls of Jerusalem

The Walls of Jerusalem Overnight Hike Tasmania

Our daughter Pippa has had many camping trips with us since she was a toddler but no overnight hikes. We decided to blaze a trail, pun intended, with her first at The Walls of Jerusalem. The main reason is that the first campsite is close to the trailhead and has comfortable platforms for camping at. We brought some new meals that Chef Richard had prepared a week ago. One was a Beef Stout Stew made with local stout from Du Cane Brewery in town. Pip and Em loved it and finished their serves. It's another delicious "plate scraper" dish from Campers Pantry! The Walls of Jerusalem is a circuit hike of 3 to 4 days, but we chose to hike in camp and hike out.

The Walls of Jerusalem

The Walls of Jerusalem hike is an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves wilderness, nature and adventure. This trek takes you through some of Tasmania's most pristine wilderness areas and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. With towering peaks, alpine lakes, and rugged terrain, this hike is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast.

Located in the central highlands of Tasmania, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park is a remote and stunning wilderness area accessible only by foot. The hike starts at the end of a long and winding dirt road, and from there, you are transported into a world of natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes from the start of this trail.

The Walls of Jerusalem hike is a challenging but rewarding experience that requires good fitness and stamina. The trail is approximately 50km long and can take 4-5 days to complete, depending on your pace and the weather conditions. The trek is a loop trail that takes you through various landscapes, from dense forests to high alpine plains.

One of the hike's highlights is the impressive Mount Jerusalem, which stands at 1,459 meters above sea level. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and see as far as the Bass Strait on a clear day. The summit of Mount Jerusalem is also home to several unique alpine plants and wildlife, including the Tasmanian devil, echidnas, wallabies and wombats.

Another must-see destination on the Walls of Jerusalem hike is the stunning Lake Adelaide. Rugged mountains surround this picturesque alpine lake, and it is the perfect spot for a refreshing swim or a relaxing meal break. The lake is also home to various fish species, including rainbow and brown trout, making it a popular spot for backcountry fly fishing enthusiasts.

The hike also takes you through a number of other beautiful locations, including Herod's Gate, Solomons Jewels, and the Walls of Jerusalem themselves. The Walls of Jerusalem are a series of imposing cliffs and peaks that are a spectacular sight to behold. These towering walls were formed by glaciation during the last ice age and are a testament to the power and beauty of nature.

Overall, the Walls of Jerusalem hike is an unforgettable experience that is not to be missed and should be on your bucket list of hikes in Australia. With its stunning landscapes, challenging terrain, and abundant wildlife, this trek is a true test of endurance and a chance to connect with the Tasmanian wilderness. So, the Walls of Jerusalem hike is perfect if you're looking for an adventure that will take you off the beaten track and into the heart of Tasmania's wilderness and introduce your young ones to overnight hiking adventures.

Access to the Trailhead

Drive via Mersey Forest Road 1 ½ to 2 hours from Launceston, following the Bass Highway west, then head southwest from Deloraine. On the way home, be sure to turn west on the Bass Highway, as not far from Deloraine is the best Ice Creamery in Tasmania. You can grab lunch, a coffee, and ice cream from Van Diemens Land Creamery before hitting the road again.

TIP: If you are unsure about directions we recommend downloading an offline map from Google Maps as there are dead zones in Tassie where there is no mobile coverage.

Trappers hut

The hut, constructed in the early 1900s, was originally used by possum trappers. Nowadays, it serves as a shelter for hikers during inclement weather.

Salomons Jewels

The trail passes by numerous breathtaking mountain tarns, famously referred to as Solomon's Jewels. This is an excellent location to pause and enjoy the scenery, grab a bite to eat, or take a refreshing swim if you're up for it.

Pencil Pine Forests

Native to Tasmania the pencil pine, closely related to the King Billy pine, can mostly be found in sub-alpine regions above 800 meters. It shares its Gondwanan heritage with the King Billy pine and is commonly found near bodies of water such as tarns, streams, and lakes due to its fire vulnerability. Pencil pines have the potential to live for over 1200 years but are unable to recover from fires as they lack the ability to survive, regrow from seedlings or suckers, or disperse seeds beyond a short distance from the parent tree. These trees are conical in shape with a trunk that tapers noticeably. Pencil pines are capable of clonal reproduction through suckering, which leads to entire stands being genetically identical. Some of these stands are believed to be thousands of years old.

Wild Dog Campsite

After completing the uphill climb from the car park, the walk to Wild Dog Campsite is relatively simple, spanning 6.1km from the car park. The campsite offers various amenities, including restrooms, tent platforms, and posts for securing a tarp to shield from rain. As you enter the Wild Dog Campsite, you will catch your first glimpses of the beautiful Walls of Jerusalem towering above the campsite. Additionally, there are charming clusters of pencil pine forests to enjoy while indulging in a delicious hot chocolate. The older wooden boards are warmer to pitch your tent on compared to the new platforms with holes allowing air to pass through.

What to Bring

When hiking in the Tasmanian wilderness mountains, it is important to prepare for the worst conditions, as weather can change rapidly. To stay warm, I brought a lightweight synthetic jacket, a Gore-tex insulated ski jacket, waterproof rain pants, gloves, and beanies. We used all of these items in the morning to layer up for warmth. For your safety and convenience, it's recommended that you visit one of the gear stores in town to confirm if the items you're carrying are suitable for your needs and the weather conditions you may face.

Cost

This hike does not require payment. However, it is necessary to register online beforehand to help the rangers keep track of the number of people who will be participating. A sign-in book will also be available at the trailhead. Additionally, a Parks Pass is required.

Above: Trappers Hut 

Above: Salomon's Jewel's  

Above: Salomon's Jewel's 

Above: Ancient Pencil Pine Forests 

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