How often do we stride along a boardwalk in the bush, never giving the construction a thought unless it is to grumble about a loose plank, high steps or rusted chicken wire? It is all too easy to overlook the effort and cost that goes into track construction and maintenance. Repairing a track is no 'walk in the park'!

Friends of Melaleuca members were concerned about the degradation of the much loved track up Clydes Hill from Claytons Corner, Bathurst Harbour in the Southwest National Park. In March 2026, FoM members got down and dirty with PWS rangers to remediate the problem.

Track degradation, Photo Geoff Fenton

First, Parks and Wildlife staff made an assessment of the track condition and materials required. Much of the short but steep track was degrading, especially around old steps where gravel had washed out, as well as in the muddy bits where braiding occurs. To protect the environment and to make the track safer for walkers, the project was deemed necessary. Materials were brought in by helicopter. An expensive exercise, but necessary because of the track's remote location. This project was made possible through the generosity of the Mountain Air Foundation, who supported the trackwork project through a grant from Wildcare's Tasmanian Nature Conservation Fund (TFNC).

PWS Rangers Dan Rowe and Marty Doyle managed some preparatory work and organisation of materials before the volunteers joined the fray. The rangers transported the three FoM volunteers, Rob, Mark and David, by boat down Melaleuca Inlet each day to work on this project.

Gear for the work aboard the PWS boat. Photo Rob Banfield

Much was achieved in a few days, with 156 metres of track improved. Forty-three new timber steps were built and and many others repaired and improved. Wooden box-gutters and other water runoff remediation was done along the way to prevent erosion.

Definitely a step up in track condition!

New steps on Clydes Hill. Photo Mark Devine

Rangers and volunteers at work. Photo Rob Banfield

Box gutter and new step. Photo Mark Devine

Clyde's Hill affords the best view in the world. (I admit a biased opinion.) Local resident Clyde Clayton walked up there every day to view the weather and admire the harbour and mountains. Clyde and Win Clayton's little home, where they lived from 1962 to 1976, is tucked in at the foot of this hill, adjacent to a large patch of wonderful rainforest.

Clyde on His Hill, 1960s (photo Charlie Vaughan)c V07 056

Clyde Clayton on his hill, 1970s. Photo Charlie Vaughan

For an even better view of 'the best view in the world' and a breath of pure mountain air, climb nearby Mt Beattie. From the open summit (276m altitude) you have a magnificent view of Mt Rugby and Bathurst Channel and on down to Port Davey and the sea out west. Looking south, your eye follows Melaleuca Inlet upstream to to Melaleuca, then beyond to Cox Bight and the faraway Southern Ocean.

Looking south from Mt Beattie. Photo Geoff Fenton

Friends of Melaleuca spent several stints working on the Mt Beattie track with PWS rangers (see our Wildcare news story in 2023). That project was also funded by a Wildcare TNCF grant. Volunteers managed some track tidying on this year's trip, but there is still quite a lot more work to finish remediating this track! Hopefully this work can continue next season.

Thanks go to Ranger for the area, Marty Doyle, to track guru and coxswain Dan Rowe, to Mountain Air Foundation, Wildcare and the FoM volunteers.

Friends of Deal Island

Meet Friends of Deal Island Treasurer, Jo Widdowson