The Zig Zag Track - 100 years in the making

08 March 2024

The Zig Zag Track, which starts its climb to the summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington at 966 metres above sea level, is open to the public again after a major restoration project by the City of Hobart.

The top of the Zig Zag Track before the track was restored offered great views, but walkers had to tread carefully.

This 100-year-old track is one of the most popular walking routes on the mountain, zig-zagging its way up through subalpine and alpine country before flattening out on the mountain plateau at 1257 metres in elevation.

As you could imagine, being so far up above Hobart the views out into the Derwent River and further afield into Storm Bay are magnificent.

Sisters Sarah and Kath from Melbourne were among the first to walk the newly restored track while on a walking tour of Tasmania.

Sisters Sarah and Kath from Melbourne were thrilled by the easy walking on the Zig Zag Track.

"We love the views and the scenery, especially how it changes as you climb higher up the mountain," says Kath.

Sarah was thrilled by the quality of the restoration work.

"It's really a good quality track, very steady and sturdy. I felt I could look up and enjoy the surroundings rather than worrying about where I had to put my feet," she said.

"And so many photo opportunities!"

Time takes its toll

Built in the early 1900s as a section of the Pinnacle Track, the Zig Zag Track can be trying for walkers, especially in snow and ice conditions.

Years of foot traffic and the harsh mountain weather had eroded parts of the track, digging out the original surface soil and leaving patchworks of rocks that were proving difficult to negotiate for the many people that take this route to the top of kunanyi.

By the early 2020s the Zig Zag was in need of considerable repairs to overcome erosion issues and make it safer for the walkers and trail runners drawn to this unique place.

The City of Hobart restoration project took three seasons to complete and used local stone and gravel.

The fine, detailed stonework undertaken by the City's 'trackies' as well as specialist track builders from local firms is a beautiful example of Tasmanian track building.

Next time you are on the track enjoying the views make sure you look down occasionally to admire the stone work, it's a masterclass in track restoration.

A special place in Mary's heart

Mary Armsby is a member of the Hobart Walking Club and an avid bushwalker who played a critical role in the installation of the beautiful stone bench half way up the Zig Zag Track more than 20 years ago.

Mary Armsby taking in the views on the stone bench she helped install on the Zig Zag Track.

"I'd come to the decision that there weren't enough seats on the mountain where you can just sit and enjoy rather than walking all the time," she says.

"We had a motorised wheelbarrow that brought melt water from the top of the mountain and a bit of muscle power from Hobart walking club members.

"We had a winch and the services of a fellow called Snapper, who is an artist in stone who put it together.

"I'm astounded coming here today to see it just as it was 20 years ago."

Mary says it doesn't matter what time of year people visit the Zig Zag Track, it always has something different to offer.

"You can come up here and there's a mist curtain hanging down, and it's got its own atmosphere. Or you can come other days, like today, and you can see forever," she says.

"If you come at this time of the year, which is sort of mid December, you'll see a wonderful waratah display and beautiful flowers that cluster almost like an upside down spider.

"If it's been raining in the night, they'll have little crystals hanging from them as well. They're just magic."