What is arguably Southern Tasmania’s biggest tourist attraction, kunanyi/Mt Wellington, will be closed for maintenance this week ahead of the upcoming peak tourist season.
It’s disappointing news for a boatload of cruise passengers who were unexpectedly diverted to Hobart at the last minute after their ship was rejected entry into New Zealand and will now have to find other activities to fill their day.
The City of Hobart say the “critical maintenance” of the key route is completed every year ahead of summer and was initially scheduled to “avoid the times when cruise ships are in dock”.
Some of the mountain’s walking and biking tracks and trails will also be closed on Tuesday, with cyclists and pedestrians not allowed on Pinnacle Road while it is closed.
Helicopter operations are also scheduled to close the Zig Zag Track, Pinnacle Track, Sawmill Track, Organ Pipes Track and Milles Track from the Pinnacle Track intersection to the Old Hotel Site on Tuesday 28 November, leaving very minimal walking access to the summit.
The closure has also impacted the kunanyi/Mt Wellington Explorer Bus, who are unable to operate this week.
City of Hobart Acting City Life Director Karen Abey told Pulse the work has to be undertaken to “ensure public safety”.
“This work was scheduled to start Monday and to conclude this Thursday and includes the removal of trees and other works that could become a danger if not tended to,” Abey said.
“This year we have scheduled this work after the iconic Point to Pinnacle event and to avoid the times when cruise ships are in dock.”
“Passengers from the P&O Pacific Adventure, which was originally scheduled to travel to New Zealand, will be unable to access the mountain by bus during their stay.”
“However, all tracks and trails remain open and available to those wanting to visit kunanyi/Mt Wellington.”
The closure will continue until Thursday, November 30th. The road will reopen to The Springs on November 29th and 30th and the summit from December 1.
READ MORE: ‘Stuck bus’ leads to traffic chaos on kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit road
Works being undertaken include clearing stormwater drains and pipes, replacing culverts, repairing road pavement and road verges, trimming roadside vegetation and fixing guardrails.
Other things to do around Hobart during the day
- MONA (The Museum of New and Old Art)
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
- Cascades Female Factory
- Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum
- Cascades Brewery
- Coal River Farm
- Salamanca
- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
