Mersey Bluff to Quamby Bluff — Central Tasmanian Forestry Plateau via Meander Valley Spine
Clay roads and dolerite on Tassie's central plateau.
This is working-forest Tasmania at its most honest — no tourism polish, just wet dolerite, mud-slicked clay roads, and stands of old eucalypt that have been logged and left to grow back on their own terms. The route pushes north from the Mersey River flats through Quamby Brook forestry coups, climbing steadily onto the plateau shelf that sits below Quamby Bluff’s distinctive dolerite cap. Key waypoints include the Quamby Brook bridge crossing — often running high after rain — and the junction of Jackeys Marsh Road, where unmarked spurs tempt you in the wrong direction if you’re not watching your maps. The bluff itself looms off the eastern flank, a solid navigation reference the whole way.
Moderate to difficult depending on season — summer is firm and manageable in a stock 4WD with decent clearance, but winter and spring turn these clay-based forestry roads into genuine slip hazards. You’ll want lockers on the rear at minimum. No permit required, but Sustainable Timber Tasmania controls access and some coupes may be gated during active operations — check before you go. Fuel up in Deloraine; there’s nothing out here. Water is abundant from streams but treat it. No cell service once you leave the Meander Valley floor. Worth it for the solitude and the views back across the central plateau.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3280 ft |
| Best season | December-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Deloraine, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Sustainable Timber Tasmania |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock LandCruiser 200 Series or Patrol handle this trail without a lift?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD like a 200 Series, Patrol, or equivalent is the stated minimum and will get you through. The clay sections and water crossings don't demand extreme approach angles, but low-range and decent all-terrains are non-negotiable on wet plateau roads.
When is this trail actually driveable — can you run it outside December to March?
The December to March window is serious advice, not a suggestion. The clay plateau roads turn into axle-deep bogs after rain or once temperatures drop, and snow is a real possibility at 3,000+ ft in shoulder months. Spring and autumn are coin-flip conditions — you could be fine or completely stuck.
Do you need a permit to drive forestry roads through Sustainable Timber Tasmania land?
No permit is required for recreational 4WD access on Sustainable Timber Tasmania roads, but active logging operations can close sections without much notice. Check STT's current road closure map before you leave — closures are posted on their website and can change week to week.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The steeper forestry spur climbs onto the plateau spine are where things tighten up — clay over rock base, loose in dry conditions and greasy when any moisture hits. The water crossings are generally shallow but unmarked, so you're reading depth yourself. Nothing technically extreme, but it punishes overconfidence and under-tyre'd rigs.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest fuel and what's the gas range situation for 54 km of trail?
Deloraine is your last fuel stop and it's a small town, so fill completely before heading out. The 54 km trail distance isn't the concern — it's the access drives to and from the trail plus any backtracking if a closure forces a turnaround. Budget for 150+ km of total running on fumes-to-fumes, and carry a jerry can if your tank is under 80L.
Trail track
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