Alma Road to Lake Malbena — Central Highlands Wilderness Fly Camp Approach via Walls of Jerusalem Fringe
The forgotten wheel road to Tasmania's wild centre.
Most Tasmanians know the Walls of Jerusalem from the boot track, not the wheel track that gets you within striking distance. The Alma Road system off the Claude Road spine north of Deloraine carries you through working sheep country, wet eucalypt forest, and open buttongrass plains before the road degrades into a classic Tasmanian forestry spur — narrow, potholed, and flanked by regrowth that scrapes both mirrors. The final kilometres to the Lake Malbena trailhead parking area require a confident high-clearance vehicle and a calm head on the off-camber sections. This is genuinely remote country — a flat tyre with no spare here is a two-day problem.
Difficulty sits solidly at moderate-to-difficult depending on recent rainfall, which in the Central Highlands can turn benign dirt into axle-deep clay overnight. A stock 4WD with a lift and all-terrain tyres is the minimum; a locker helps on the worst mud sections in shoulder season. No permit is required to drive in, but the walk beyond is managed by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Fuel up in Mole Creek or Deloraine — there is nothing beyond. Best driven November through April; winter closures are common. Water from streams en route should be treated. Dispersed camping near the trailhead is informal and unsignposted.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tyres |
| Nearest town | Mole Creek, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Patrol handle this, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with all-terrain tyres can manage it, but a 2-3 inch lift gives meaningful margin on the rougher gravel sections and water crossings. Skid plates are strongly advised — the rocky base on Alma Road is unforgiving on unprotected sumps.
When is this track actually passable — what months should I avoid?
Stick to November through April. Snow and ice close the upper sections through winter, and spring melt (May–August) leaves the crossings dangerously high and the track badly rutted. Even in summer, afternoon storms roll in fast off the Central Highlands — don't get caught without a recovery plan.
Do I need a permit to drive in or camp along this route?
Yes. The approach sits on the fringe of Walls of Jerusalem National Park, managed by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — a valid Tasmanian National Parks pass is required. Dispersed camping is permitted in designated zones; check current conditions and any fire restrictions with PWS before you leave Mole Creek.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The upper gravel push past the Alma Road junction is where it gets serious — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and embedded boulders that'll ground a poorly-set-up vehicle. The water crossings vary by season but can reach axle-deep after rain; there's no bypass, so if it's running high, you wait or turn around.
How far is the last fuel stop, and is there any cell service out here?
Mole Creek is your last reliable fuel — tank up there, because there's nothing between it and the Lake Malbena trailhead for the full 45km push. Cell service is completely dead once you leave town, so download offline maps, file a trip plan with someone you trust, and carry a PLB. This is genuine remote Tasmania.
Trail track
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