Walls Of Jerusalem National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- PWS 1300 135 513
- Park ranger (03) 6363 5182
Introduction
Walls of Jerusalem, the fourth largest and the most remote national park in Tasmania, is a stunning landscape of huge rock faces, ancient pines and active rock streams – a beautiful landscape for dedicated bushwalkers. This is an alpine wilderness like no other and well-prepared visitors who venture into these high altitudes will enjoy a truly unforgettable experience. The search for an overland stock route brought the first Europeans to the area in 1826, and by the 1850s summer grazing was well established and there was a growing fur-trapping industry. However, it was still a wild place and reputed to be a hideout for bushrangers. Bushwalking became popular in the early 1900s and the natural features were named – with an obvious biblical theme – by Launceston solicitor, Reg Hall. The national park was declared in 1981.The park is an alpine plateau dotted with thousands of lakes, pools, tarns and wetlands. During the last ice age a massive ice sheet covered the landscape, and ice still shapes the terrain. The freeze and thaw action of water in tiny crevices eventually prises boulders from the bedrock, and rivers of dolerite scree form and slowly creep downhill. One of the state’s most active rock streams is at the Temple. Around the lakes there are snow gums and gum-topped stringybarks, and extensive stands of ancient pencil pines, some over 1000 years old. Found only in Tasmania, Walls of Jerusalem has the largest number of this species in the state. They survive here, restricted to waterlogged soils and places where there has never been a wildfire. Once burned they do not recover. A large stand grows between Damascus Gate and Jaffa Gate, south of the Temple. In higher areas there are alpine meadows of tussock grass, billy buttons, snow daisies, cushion plants, pineapple grass and coral fern.There are no facilities for casual visitors. Activity is limited to overnight walks through scenic alpine country, but it is a remote, high altitude environment and subject to extremes of weather, suitable for experienced and well-equipped bushwalkers only. The track into the park heads uphill to Trappers Hut (1 hour) then climbs to Wild Dog Creek (2 hours) past Solomon’s Jewels lakes, followed by another climb to Damascus Gate (1 hour) past Herrods Gate, Lake Salome and Pool of Bethesda. From Damascus Gate the track goes to Dixons Kingdom Hut through a beautiful pencil pine forest. From here tracks lead to the Temple, West Wall and Mount Jerusalem. Magnetic rocks can affect compass readings. There is some good fishing in remote lakes (licence required).Bush camping is along the tracks, with restrictions around some lakes. There are no facilities (bring a fuel stove); huts are small and suitable for emergencies only. Walkers should carry tents and be self-sufficient. Campfi res are not allowed. Severe weather, reducing visibility to zero, can occur at any time of the year.
Fact file
Camping
Bush camping; fuel stove only
Location and access
310 km north of Hobart; 120 km west of Launceston via Bass Hwy and B12 to Mole Creek then C138 and C171; park is for bushwalkers only; vehicle access is to trailhead carpark outside the park
Park Information
Size
51 800 ha
Where to Stay
Mole Creek (03) 6363 1399
Campsites
Wild Dog Creek (walk-in camping)
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