Introduction

Lake Judd is an ancient glacier-formed lake in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park, with a spectacular back-drop of 600 metre high cliffs and views of Mt Anne, SW Tasmania’s highest peak.

The 16 km day walk to the lake and back traverses button grass plains peppered with pink quartzite outcrops. As the track ascends the view behind is of Lake Pedder and surrounding peaks. The first 7 kms of the 8 kms to the lake is on part of the renowned, multi-day Mt Anne Circuit Walk. We did the Lake Judd walk in January 2024. Here’s what we found.

Getting to the Start

From Hobart it is a 2.5 hour drive via Maydena, to the start of the walk at Red Tape Creek, just off the Scotts Peak Dam Road.

[For those that like a map here’s a link to a blog from Hobart-based Chasing Cheetahs with map and track notes. Click here.]

As we headed down Scotts Peak Dam Road we were greeted by the imposing figure of Mt Anne.

We parked at the well sign-posted Red Tape Creek.

And proceeded down the marked path.

Registering for the walk is always important for wilderness walks in Tasmania.

And in many cases boot cleaning stations are positioned at the start of such walks to prevent the spread of phytophthora (root rot), or in this instance Chytrid frog fungus.

The Walk

In the beginning the track slowly ascends through button grass, bauera and tea tree scrub.

This boggy landscape doesn’t sustain larger trees.

A couple of kilometres in the track rises to a saddle on the Red Tape Creek – Anne River divide.

Looking back we started to get views of Lake Pedder and surrounds.

Fires in 2018/19 devastated much of this region, with most tracks needing to be rebuilt, hence the duck-board is fairly new.

The many pink quartzite outcrops are a reminder of the amazing pink-sand beach that was lost when Lake Pedder was flooded in the 1970’s.

After a bit of up and down we reached a suspension bridge, the first of two crossings over the Anne River. When we did this walk 25 years earlier this crossing had simply been two parallel wires strung across the river – one for you to walk on and one to hold onto. The bridge is definitely a big improvement.

The track then climbs a bit more.

Duckboard gives way to pink quartzite gravel.

All the while the cliffs which flank Lake Judd creep closer and become more impressive.

Splashes of colour are sprinkled around the landscape, such as these fading Christmas Bells.

After 7 kms we reached an intersection. To the left was the Lake Judd track. One kilometre to go.

To the right was the Mt Anne Circuit track. This circuit walk is generally done over 3 days, in a clockwise direction starting at Condominium Creek and finishing with the stretch of track we had just done. In theory it can be done in either direction. Here’s a link to the National Parks website with information about the Mt Anne Circuit. Click here.

A second bridge crosses the Anne River.

A little more duckboard.

Before getting into a boggy section.

With lots of tree roots.

Through a thick forest.

We then had a short climb up onto, what essentially is, a wall of ancient glacial moraine that created a natural dam wall which led to the formation of the lake.

After 2.5 hours we arrived at the end of the walk, the point where the Anne River flows out of Lake Judd.

We spent some time having lunch and admiring the cliffs.

The thick gum forest was quite a contrast to the largely button grass and scrub terrain we’d walked through to get here.

There are some reasonable campsites beside the lake if you’re inclined to want to spend the night. A registration system helps gauge the level of usage the campsites receive. This is useful for future planning for things such as installing a composting toilet, which is not currently available.

We then headed back via the way we’d come.

A little more blue sky emerged on our return trip.

Conclusion

It took us around 5 hours to do the walk plus half an hour at the lake.

The duckboard made most of the walk relatively easy.

And the total climb from Red Tape Creek is around 300 metres, which is not too arduous.

All in all, a well worthwhile wilderness walk to a spectacular location. Achievable for anyone with a good level of fitness, the right gear, and the right weather forecast. But remember, it is a walk into the Tasmanian wilderness, so please make sure you are properly prepared.

Ken and Cally