Mt Barrow Discovery Trail

The total driving distance from the information shelter is 24km return. There are spots along the trail where you can disembark from your vehicle to view the sites from the lookout or take a walk through the forest to cultural sites, as well as having a BBQ or picnic at the Visitor Centre. Spend sometime to enjoy the surrounds as well as learn about an important part in the history of the timber industry in Tasmania.

The Discovery Trail is part of the Mt Barrow State It is a self-drive experience associated with a rich tradition of timber harvesting and saw milling dating back to c.1880. * In its heyday 6 sawmills operated on Mt Barrow, with 6 families living and working on the mountain. * There are numerous points of interests along the Trail such as walking tracks, lookouts, restored workmen's huts, and tramways. * These points of interest and facilities were funded by Forestry Tasmania and built with the assistance of participants under the Work for the Dole Program.

In addition to timber production, Mt Barrow State Forest supports a range of recreational activities, flora and fauna conservation, and European cultural heritage. * Mt Barrow is a working forest, with timber harvesting now primarily carried out by the Padgett family.

CAUTION: the Mt Barrow Discovery Trail is along gravel roads please drive to these conditions.

This is a working forest - log trucks are a regular feature along the Mt Barrow Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail is designed as a ONE WAY LOOP please follow the directional arrows and do not back track.

Weather on the mountain can change at anytime, with snow a possibility. Suitable clothing advisable.

Information Shelter - start of 24km Discovery Trail. Trip meters can be reset to 0 here.

• Lookout - views overlooking St Patricks River and other points of interest.
• Horse Trough Walk - section of a snig track cleared to assist horses pulling logs. 15 min. return walk.
• Sawmill Site - North Barrow Mill built c.1940 to mill high altitude Eucalyptus delegetensis. Six families (Rattray, Clarke, O'Tooles, Wise, Bourk and Padgett) lived in on this site.
• Myrtle Rainforest - Callindendrous rainforest refugia.
• Running through this forest is the section of an original hand built road.
• Jubilee Tree - felled and carted to Launceston as part of the 1951 Jubilee Celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.
• Tabletop Landing & Hut - a landing is where logs are loaded for carting (either by horse or motorised vehicle depending onthe era) to local sawmills. 20 min. return walk.
• Visitor Centre - interpretative information on the cultural history, flora and fauna found on Mt Barrow. Facilities includegas BBQ, open fireplace, tables and toilets.
• Workmen's Hut - 20 min. return walk from Visitor Centre is a restored bush workers' hut originally built c.1948 and loop track.
• Tea Tree Boardwalk - walk along Weavers Creek through tea tree and rainforest. 20 min. return walk.
• Tramline Walking Track - tramline constructed c.1946 to cart logs to old North Barrow Mill. Tramlines were built from round spar sleepers with slots cut into the tram rails to fit the sleepers in, so that the rails did not dislodge when locomotives carted logs. 15 min. return walk.