wukalina Walk

The journey begins - Launceston to Wukalina and Krakani Lumi

You will be picked up from your hotel in Launceston, or make your own way to the Elders Centre (‘Chalmers Hall’) on St John Street in Launceston, for 8am. 

Get to know Elders, guides and other guests over fresh scones and a cuppa. Spend some time inside what is an important place for the Palawa community. On the walls are historic photographs, stunning monochrome portraits of Elders and framed cultural arts such as shell necklaces and quilts from Truwana/Cape Barren Island. 

Backpacks, gaiters and rain jackets will be issued before departure if required. We allow time for everyone to finish packing their backpacks before leaving the Elders.

We then climb onboard a minibus and enjoy the scenic drive to the North East. You’ll learn some Palawa and post-invasion history along the way. Have a stretch and a coffee in the coastal town of Bridport and, later, a quick stopover in the small town of Gladstone. The drive ends at Wukalina (Mount William National Park).

This is Trawlwoolway Country where the cultural walk begins. You’ll be led as a group to the 216-metre-high summit of Wukalina – only 2km from the carpark – for a picnic lunch with 360-degree views.

Look out across the cultural landscape as you learn about Truwana and some of the other Tayaritja/Bass Strait Islands such as Big Dog and Lungtalanana/Clarke Island. On a clear day, you will be able to see the dramatic features of islands that have both historic and contemporary significance to us.

After lunch you will be guided towards the coast, stopping along the way to hear cultural and botanical interpretations from our qualified guides, and potentially spotting animal and bird species endemic to the area. 

Once you arrive at the purpose-built standing camp of Krakani Lumi (resting place), relax around the firepit or in the domed lounging area or in your private hut. Regroup for drinks and dinner. 

Spend the evening around the fire in conversation with guides. Settle down to a comfortable night’s sleep in your domed hut under cosy doonas and wallaby throws.

distance - 11km

difficulty - medium

walk time - approximately 4.5 hours

Time on the coast – Krakani Lumi

Today is spent in and close to camp. After a leisurely breakfast you’ll be guided along a traditional coastal pathway though living cultural landscapes. This beautiful part of the coast, with its fine bright sand and rounded rocks, is incredibly important to Palawa.

Interpretation by guides will focus on traditional food sources, medicines and animals. You’ll learn about practices of the past as well as those that continue in the present day and will do so into the future. There will be opportunity to sample coastal bush tucker and learn new this living cultural landscape. 

Lunch will be served back at Krakani Lumi. The afternoon is a time to relax and to take part in and learn about some of our cultural activities. 

Guides, and sometimes an Elder, lead these cultural sessions around the fire or sitting on wallaby skin cloaks in the striking domed sitting area. These and other important cultural practices connect palawa to each other and their Ancestors. 

Dinner that evening includes traditional foods such as mutton bird and wallaby. Watch guides cook on the fire and, as the temperature drops as evening comes, share another meal together inside around the long table in the kitchen.

You may encounter wildlife such as prupilathina (wombats), payathanima (wallabies) and kangaroos. Enjoy another night sleeping at Krakani Lumi.

distance - no more than 5km

difficulty - easy medium

walk time - approximately 2 hours

Walking the beach – Krakani Lumi to Larapuna

After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to Krakani Lumi and head south, on foot, along the beach towards Larapuna (Bay of Fires). Follow the line of sand and round the rocky headlands covered in the striking red lichen typical to this region.

This is the longest day of walking, and most is on sand, but the distance is broken up by the guides sharing stories and knowledge. There are also snack breaks, a lunch break and you’ll sample seasonal bush tucker. 

You’re also likely to get engrossed in conversation during those long beach stretches or lose time in personal reflection. Have lunch together lounging in the dunes or sitting near a marsupial lawn.

The destination is in sight for much of the day and by mid-afternoon you’ll arrive at Larapuna. Our community has a 40-year lease on Eddystone Point Lighthouse Precinct.

Your final night’s accommodation is in a beautifully restored lightkeepers cottage. The interior of the cottage has been renovated and redecorated throughout. The pink granite exterior walls, which had been suffocating under blue paint, have been fully revived.

Settle into your hotel-style room within the cottage and put your feet up or join the group for nibbles and a drink in the lounge. Peruse the reference books, have a wander or sit on the veranda and watch the light change as the sun sets.

This is the last night of the trip and you’ll share an intimate dinner that evening. A delicious wallaby lasagne will be served and there will be opportunity, over the meal, to reflect on the last three days together and share stories.

distance - 17km

difficulty - medium to hard

walk time – approximately 6 hours

The next stage – Larapuna to Launceston via Gladstone

Early risers can see daybreak, and possibly even sunrise, from the top of Eddystone Point lighthouse before everyone meets for breakfast together back in the cottage. The views out sea and south along Larapuna/Bay of Fires will really wake you up.

Eddystone Point Lighthouse is fully operational and wukalina Walk guests have the opportunity to access this historic building, with its 129-step tower. 

A walking tour after breakfast includes a beach that was once quarried for granite and more time in the lighthouse. Although the hiking element of the trip is over, you will be guided on foot to various places of interest on this northernmost headland of Larapuna. 

For the past 250 years this area has been referred to as Bay of Fires, since English navigator Tobias Furneax counted over 200 fires along the coastline. You will learn more about this history from our perspective, including the importance of cultural burning practices, and other fires that would have been documented and sighted during this time.

From your vantage point at the top of the lighthouse it’s not uncommon to see black swans, arctic terns, pelicans, sea eagles and, at certain times, a pod of dolphins or even whales in the water below.

We collect a fresh lunch for you at Gladstone Store to be eaten on the drive back back to Launceston. 

Arrive back at the Elders at approximately 3:30pm before catching your flight home, settling into one of the city’s hotels or heading back to your Tasmanian home.

distance - 1-2km

difficulty - easy

walk time – approximately 1-1.5hr