“Hi, I'm Shannon, during the summer of 2011 as a bursary student with Forestry Tasmania, I took the challenge to visit Forestry Tamania's 52 visitor sites.
Wielangta Forest Drive is a nice scenic detour through the forests from Copping to Orford. However, due to the damp forest environment, Robertsons Bridge (which connected both parts of the road over Sandspit River) decayed, and was closed down in mid 2009 after heavy rains caused it to become too dangerous for traffic. The good news is that it is now reopened!!
As the road was closed during my trip I was restricted to exploring both ends of the road, so I could let you know about it, and what you can expect while visiting. If you start at the Copping end, you turn left (coming from Hobart) at Kellevie Road; there is a sign that says Kellevie and Nugent.
On the way there is Marion Bay Lookout, which provides a lovely view over the forests and out to the ocean over Marion Bay. There is a perfect spot for a picnic with some sheltered areas, and BBQ's (you will need to bring your own kindling though).
Also located here is Wielangta walk. This is a 3 hour return walk and goes to Wielangta Road. The track follows the route of an abandoned tramway to the site of an old township known as Wielangta settlement. It was an old sawmill town which about 100 pioneers called home. The milled timber was carted on trams down the coast to Rheban where it was loaded onto a jetty and shipped off. They worked from 1911 to 1924, before the saw mill was closed down due to a lack of timber left in the area and the workers moved on. In 1928, fires burnt down the township and the saw mill; however, you can still see evidence of civilisation, such as old chimneys and even a gravestone of a worker who was killed in an accident with explosives.
There is another shorter walk through the rainforest which only takes 20 minutes. This walk begins and ends at Robertson's bridge.
To get to the other end of this road, you have to head up to Orford. You can do this either along the Tasman Highway through Sorell, and Orielton. However, since I had just been to the Copping end, I found a detour. You go back to the end of Wielangta Road, and take the turn off where the sign directs you through Nugent and brings you out at Buckland. This is a gravel road, but it is much quicker if you have come from Copping, and also takes you through forest.
When you reach Orford, no matter which way you have gone. You turn right and go past the IGA to reach Wielangta Road. This is Rheban Road, but it eventually turns into Wielangta. You just keep driving past Spring Beach, and through Rheban. The drive is lovely, with views of the coast line and Maria Island. You also drive through the Three Thumbs State Reserve and Cape Bernier Nature Reserve.
GPS Coordinates :
LAT : 43° 1'23.68"S
LON : 147°53'40.95"E
Click here to view in Google Earth!
Always check our road and track closure information before setting off on your journey (click here)
52 Places to Visit
RSS Feed