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Summary
Basalt sport climbing and bouldering located on PRIVATE LAND
See below for updated restrictions & access information (March '24)...
Description
After many years of closure - a temporary lease agreement has been negotiated between the Georgetown Council & the landowner which allows climbing access. The continuation of this lease is dependent on the respect & self governance of the climbing community as a whole, and certain rules are to be adhered to by all. Please do the right thing, and speak up to any users you encounter who may not be doing so.
No overnight stays or camping
No fires or fuel stoves
No animals or pets
No firewood collection
No trespassing onto neighbouring paddocks, or interfering with livestock
No parking along Craigburn Road if carpark is full
Access issues
Private
Hillwood climbing has finally reopened (11th March, ‘24) after many years of closure. Exciting times!!
Georgetown Council has negotiated a lease agreement with the land owner, but it remains PRIVATE PROPERTY - so please adhere to best behaviour, so we do not once again lose access!!
**Access is currently "tentative", and could be scrapped within the year if we do not respect the handful of site rules + regulations when we visit. Please be mindful of this!!
A carpark has been built well-off the main road to facilitate approx. 25 cars - DO NOT park along Craigburn Road at the old parking space if the new carpark is full on arrival. Carpooling from home or a nearby location (eg. Hillwood Football Oval) is encouraged to manage current carpark capacity. Please attempt to park as tightly as possible to maximise vehicle space.
There is now a toilet located at the carpark. Please use it as priority - and adhere to "Leave No Trace" principals if elsewhere on the property. Dig a 20cm hole, and bury poop and paper. Even better - carry a poo tube and pack it out after your session. Do not burn your toilet paper!
CragCare has conducted track/regrowth clearing works across the site to get it ready for climbing, and as such many old access routes could have changed since your last visit. Refer to the updated online guide here for any new approach details. Major junctions are now signposted, and all tracks have been flagged with tape - many routes have also had their hardware inspected or rebolted by the CCT.
The campaign to have Hillwood reopened to the public was lengthy, and complex. Many people have donated much time, effort and money to the cause - and even now it is not guaranteed forever. Please understand that climbing at Hillwood is a privilege, and not a right. As a community - we thank both the landowner, and the Georgetown Council for this amazing outcome, and contribution to Tasmanian climbing.
With any luck, and ongoing respect/compliance - access will be continued for many more years to come!! Happy climbing!!
Any concerns or general feedback can be directed to the CCT's new crag stewards program via hillwood@climbersclubtas.org.au
Approach
<5 min
Located north of the small locality of Hillwood, approx 20-30 mins drive from Launceston. Travel along Craigburn Road until you reach the new carpark and toilet. Do not park along the fenceline if the carpark is full. There is a cute little cafe in town opposite the jetty (which is also a great spot for a post climb swim!), and various berry farms nearby.
Where to stay
Strictly NO overnight stays in vehicles or camping on site, nor along Craigburn Road
The nearby Egg Island Point Reserve is also DAY USE ONLY
There is a FREE self contained vehicle campground across the river at Swan Point - and "Mike & Annies Front Paddock", a privately run PAID self contained vehicle site at Dilston
The nearby Signal Station Tavern also allows overnight stays for self contained vehicles. No tents! Note - there is NO TOILET outside of opening hours (so please don't poop or pee on the lawn, or in the carpark), and it is expected that you grab yourself a beer, counter-meal or make a donation to justify your stay. Let them know you're climbers, say "thanks", and generally be a good human!
Other options include Low Head, Exeter & Beauty Point
If you do intend to bush/car camp somewhere else nearby, please use public toilets or the port-a-loo in the new carpark (before or after your session) to minimise impact
Where possible - spend up big $$ in the Georgetown Council area as a way of saying "THANKYOU". Without their generous contribution, Hillwood climbing would most likely remain closed
Ethic
Crag Stewards
Rock climbers please contact the Crag Steward (hillwood@climbersclubtas.org.au) if you have any queries or concerns regarding social or environmental impacts of rock climbing at this crag.
Do not email regarding general travel, seasonal advice, or lost property - this is not the Steward’s role. If you have important safety information to communicate (e.g. risks due to recent and large rock falls) please also consider updates on thesarvo forum, Facebook group and/or online guidebooks as appropriate. Please copy in cct@climbersclubtas.org.au if you feel you have a high-level concern which may imminently impact the crag or climbing community.
Non-climbers, other users, land managers: please also contact cct@climbersclubtas.org.au if you have important climbing related queries at this location.
Other
• The operation and use of drones by park visitors on reserved land including national parks is not permitted
• Peregrine Falcons nest from July - December each year. It’s important that climbers don’t climb near active nests during this period. Known sites (non exhaustive) are: Sand River (Far East, The Panopticon), Bare Rock (R of the Boneyard, L of Bisso of Orange), Rocky Cape, Pubic Wall/Duck Reach, Hillwood, Gunners Quoin, Lowdina.
• Please note that Tasmania has notoriously patchy phone reception for particular service providers. Telstra is the most reliable. An emergency Personal Locator Beacon or similar is recommended kit when climbing in remote locations.
• For more information - follow the link below for some local tips + tricks on how to better reduce your impact during your next Tassie climbing holiday https://www.cragcaretasmania.org.au/learn
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theCrag.com is a free guide for rock climbing areas all over the world, collaboratively edited by keen rock climbers, boulderers and other nice folks.You can log all your routes, connect and chat with other climbers and much more...» go exploring, » learn more or » ask us a question
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Author(s): Gerry Narkowicz
Date: 2021
ISBN: 9780646841946
Cracks, sea stacks, big walls, remote exotic locations, volcanic columns, no crowds and your choice of the predominant dolerite, some quartzite and a little sandstone to remind you of the mainland. Many a wilderness climbing experience can be had within a 2hr car trip from the main centers. By Gerry Narkowicz. This guide features 1280 routes.
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