Our Summit Winter Attempt of Federation Peak in Tasmania

A trip report of our recent winter summit attempt of Federation Peak from Farmhouse Creek.

My partner Haylea and I attempted the Federation Peak summit over a 3-day return itinerary from Farmhouse Creek in Winter. Unfortunately, we had to turn around close to the beginning of the final ascent due to dense cloud and slippery, icy conditions.

Below, I’ll detail everything I learned leading up to the attempt to help other hikers prepare. I’ve also continued to update this post with the most relevant information.

About Federation Peak

• Hiking Distance: Official: 40 km
  Recorded to Berchevaise Plateau return: 64.92 km
• Duration: 2-5 days
• Elevation: Total elevation gain of roughly 1,800 m
  Federation Peak: 1,274 m AMSL
• Difficulty: Very Difficult, experience mandatory;
  Tas Parks: T5 level - wilderness track

Federation Peak is the iconic Tasmanian spire mountain located deep in the Southwest National Park wilderness. Nicknamed Feddy or Fedder, this 1,274-metre peak is nowhere near the tallest mountain in Tasmania but holds the fiercest reputation.

A testament to the difficulty of the hike to the summit is such that it took over 50 years for the first Westerner to reach the top after its first sighting. Sir Edmond Hillary even named it "Australia's only real mountain".

The peak is a picturesque spire, or obelisk, as it was once named by the original western surveyor James Sprent. There has even been a documentary about the mountain, that follows a team of climbers attempting the summit via the "Blade Ridge" in the middle of Winter.

Where is Federation Peak

Federation Peak marks the end of the Eastern Arthur's Range in Tasmania's raw and untamed Southwest National Park. The peak is roughly 90 kilometres southwest of Hobart.

While the final ascent is notoriously steep and exposed, reaching the base requires a long, grueling slog through muddy and unforgiving terrain.

How to get to the Federation Peak Trailhead

Federation Peak can be reached as part of the Eastern Arthurs Traverse from both directions. However, for the purpose of this post, I'll detail the out-and-back route from the trailhead at Farmhouse Creek.

• The trailhead begins from Farmhouse Creek, which is a small cleared space to park your car at the end of Picton Road.
• To get here, you'll need to drive to the nearest township of Geeveston and then turn onto Arve Road, a well-maintained and sealed, winding road leading to the Hartz Mountains and Tahune Adventures.
• The turnoff onto Picton Road is near the end of Arve Road on the left, just 1 kilometre from Tahune Adventures.

Picton Road is unsealed but generally quite well-maintained as there are plenty of logging spurs off this road. You will need to drive all the way to the end (roughly 22 kilometres) to reach Farmhouse Creek. You don't need a 4WD to get to Farmhouse Creek and we made it in our big van (although very slowly, I wouldn't recommend it).

• There is adequate parking space for roughly 6-8 vehicles at a small clearing at the end of Picton Road (Farmhouse Creek). You can leave your car here for free.
• The trailhead for the Federation Peak hike begins by crossing a bridge over Farmhouse Creek and is marked by a "Southwest National Park" sign and boot-cleaning station.

The first section of the track is named "Farmhouse Creek Track" or the "Eastern Arthurs Traverse Track".

Federation Peak Hiking Itineraries

There are several ways to hike Federation Peak. The recommended itinerary is five days but I'd say this is a bit long. We set out in Winter with the goal of summiting Federation Peak and returning to Farmhouse Creek in three days.

I'd say that this is a good amount of time at a decent pace (weather permitting).

Below are some itinerary options as well as exactly what we did:

5-Day Itinerary

Day	Itinerary
Day 1	Farmhouse Creek to South Carcroft River Crossing
Day 2	South Carcroft River Crossing to Cutting Camp
Day 3	Cutting Camp to Berchevaise Plateau via Federation Peak
Day 4	Berchevaise Plateau to South Carcroft River Crossing
Day 5	South Carcroft River Crossing to Farmhouse Creek

Note: This itinerary is very doable but it is quite easy to pack much more in a day if conditions are good. Trust me, you don't want to be out there for five days. Below is what we planned to do but only got as far as the Berchevaise Plateau.

Our Planned 3-Day Itinerary:

• Day 1: Farmhouse Creek to Cutting Camp
• Day 2: Farmhouse Creek to Berchevaise Plateau via Federation Peak
• Day 3: Berchevaise Plateau to Farmhouse Creek

Unfortunately, as mentioned, we had to back after the plateau since conditions didn't allow us to summit. So, here's what we actually did:

• Day 1: Farmhouse Creek to Cutting Camp
• Day 2: Cutting Camp to Cutting Camp via Berchevaise Plateau
• Day 3: Cutting Camp to Farmhouse Creek

For those attempting the mission in Spring or Summer (daylight savings), completing the hike in two days is also possible and has been done by a few people including Mac from Halfway Anywhere. He's also got a really good guide you can find through that link.

Honestly, I think two days is the limit for this one. I wouldn't recommend anyone attempt to summit Federation Peak from Farmhouse Creek and return on the same day.

Campsites on the Federation Peak Route

There are multiple suitable campsites along the way. Below are the locations (approximate) of each. Note that only the South Carcroft River Crossing and Berchevaise Plateau have wooden platforms to pitch a tent onto.

Also, I apologise if the locations don't match the names for Crest Camp, Forest Camp or Paperbark Camp. There are no signs for any camps along the way but I marked the coordinates of where I thought each was by referencing the map using my InReach Mini. Whether or not the name is correct, all three coordinates for these specific sites mark a spot where there was flat ground for camping during my attempt.

• South Carcroft River Crossing: S 43°15'42.0372" E 146°34'53.7888"
  Updated after the fires: Now there are 3 wooden platforms 100 metres from the river on the eastern side:
• Crest Camp: S 43°15'34.2576" E 146°31'50.4948"
• Forest Camp: S 43°15'42.1308" E 146°32'08.6640"
• Paperbark Camp: S 43°15'38.4984" E 146°31'33.0960"
• Cutting Camp: S 43°16'03.2016" E 146°30'16.0992"
• Bechervaise Plateau: 43°16'08.4"S 146°28'52.5"E

What I Learned (Advice for Your Attempt)

With all of that out of the way, let's get into the actual details about the hike out to Federation Peak.

• If I can paint a picture of this hike in a few words, I'd say it's a miserably wet, muddy slog.
• The majority of the track is mostly ankle to knee-deep mud through dense terrain.
• While there are coloured ribbons in the trees along the way these are very sporadic and almost never there when you actually need them.
• You're going to need a map (Tasmaps) and I'd recommend a compass to get back onto the track if you lose it (like we did a few times).
• A satellite phone is definitely advised as there is absolutely no phone reception anywhere out there. I use Garmin's InReach Mini.
• GPX file here (not mine). However, this should not be used as a main source of navigation. The Maps.Me track is a decent tool to find the track but very approximate and out by more than 50 metres in many sections.

Our Experience on the Trail

Unfortunately, I can't comment much on the final ascent in this guide (it's steep) because we didn't actually make the summit. However, this should be a useful resource for anyone hiking from Farmhouse Creek to Berchevaise Plateau, just below the summit of Feddy Peak.

Farmhouse Creek Trailhead to the First River Crossing

The first section of the Federation Peak hike begins by crossing a bridge and then immediately ducking into dense forest. The first section is flat and quite easy to follow as it makes its way beside Farmhouse Creek before eventually crossing it (over a log) approximately 6 kilometres in.

Weather is notoriously unpredictable in Tasmania, especially in Southwest National Park. We found this out the hard way when we arrived at Farmhouse Creek to sleep in our van the night before the Federation Peak hike.

The prediction from BOM was clear skies and almost no wind. Instead, it rained consistently, the entire night and continued well into the first day.

Consequently, we had to face miserable conditions from the get-go. The track was flooded in many sections and the mud just got deeper and deeper as we continued.

We still managed a decent pace for the first stretch. It took us roughly 2 hours to reach the first river crossing, where the track diverts over Farmhouse Creek via a large fallen tree.

The Climb Up South Picton Saddle

Next was the steady ascent up the South Picton Saddle. Following the first river crossing, the track narrows and gets a whole lot muddier. This section was quite hard to follow since it was completely overgrown in some parts.

The incline isn't too bad but the mud makes things slow going. There are also a lot of fallen trees which you'll need to go around, jump over or climb under.

Once we neared the top of the saddle, we approached a fork (S 43°15'08.4672" E 146°36'41.3748). Keep right here and don't descend on the left. This is the Lake Sydney track and leads to Mount Bobs (13.6 km return to the fork).

Soon enough, we were at the top of the South Picton Saddle, where the vegetation opened up under beautiful myrtle forest. I quickly snapped a few photographs here but continued on quickly, descending the other side of the saddle (much steeper).

Approaching the bottom, the vegetation quickly changes from wet temperate rainforest to dry, burned sclerophyll forest. This is a section that was heavily damaged from the bushfires a few years back.

The change in vegetation didn't settle the mud though, which only got worse as we levelled out onto the Carcroft Valley approaching the South Carcroft River.

The South Carcroft River Crossing

The area surrounding the South Carcroft River was also damaged during the fires. As a result, the old camp is closed by Tasmanian Parks. Instead, they've constructed three new wooden platforms approximately 100 metres from the river on the eastern side (before the crossing).

We were making decent time considering the miserable conditions, arriving at the South Carcroft River crossing roughly 5 hours after departing Farmhouse Creek. We knew we still had a fair distance to go until we reached Cutting Camp so we didn't wait around and kept wading through the mud.

Due to all of the rain, the river was running pretty hard. Luckily, there was another large tree that had fallen where we could cross. Almost immediately after crossing, the track opens up to the buttongrass plain of the Carcroft Valley.

Carcroft Valley to Cutting Camp

While from afar this stretch looked easy, it actually ended up being one of the muddiest and most frustrating sections of the Federation Peak hike. Heading west, the track starts flat then begins undulating sharply as you ascend and then descend several times through interchanging terrain of dense forest and open plain.

On the final ridge, we got our first view of Federation Peak in the distance. The going was very slow and extremely muddy. Daylight was also quickly slipping away from us so we didn't exactly stop to admire the view.

Once levelled out, the track joins up to parallel the Carcroft River. There were a few unnamed creeks to cross along the way, one which was particularly heavy-flowing (water level past our waist).

We lost the track a few times on this section. This was very frustrating as it meant we had to continue for the last hour soaked and freezing in the dark with only our head torches. Not a spot we wanted to be in on day one.

However, there were several suitable (although very wet) campsites on this section that we could have stopped at. But, after regaining the track we had the confidence to push on towards Cutting Camp, which we thought might be a little drier (we were wrong).

My advice for the section between the South Carcroft River Crossing and Cutting Camp is to stay close to the Cacroft River. Although the track moves in and out, it seems to stick close to the river for the majority.

We arrived at Cutting Camp at around 6 pm. This meant that it took us nearly 4 hours to cover 6.5 kilometres! I can put this down to losing the track a couple of times and trying to find suitable spots to cross the creeks in the dark. In decent conditions, you can cover this section in around 2 hours at a fast pace, which we did on the return.

Cutting Camp has several flat areas in a cleared, mossy forest beside Cherry Creek (your water source). However, due to the heavy rain, the ground was very boggy and swampy.

Climbing Moss Ridge to Berchevaise Plateau

Disappointedly, unforecasted, light rain continued to fall all night. We packed up the tent at first light and continued on for the notorious climb up Moss Ridge in the newly dampened swamp.

With imbecilic repetition, I rip my soggy boot from the cold, muddy depths before wincingly plunging it back into the soupy muck below. My eyes reach for the prize in a feeble attempt to muster motivation but thick, slimy vegetation hinders my vision.

I attempt to pluck a leech from my cheek but the cold has taken the dexterity from my fingers long ago. Perpetual rain invades every seam of my jacket, creeping in as if to slowly drown me through my wrinkled skin.

The track begins by crossing Cherry Creek and then immediately begins ascending. Climbing up Moss Ridge is very steep and involves muddy, vertical root climbing. There are no markers on this section but navigation is fairly easy. There's simply only one way to go.

Although the distance from Cutting Camp to Berchevaise Plateau is less than 3 kilometres, it's very slow going. Don't expect to cover this distance in less than 3 hours.

About halfway to Berchevaise Plateau, you gain the ridge where we got great views of Federation Peak. It felt like we were getting close to the final ascent but first, we had to go back down the other side, come back up the ridge, and then repeat that twice.

In my opinion, Moss Ridge is in bad shape. The track involves several thin sections of soft, eroding peat that is only just hanging on. It's clear that much of the track has completely eroded and many of the roots you need to climb your way up have snapped off.

There is one particular section that I really think doesn't have much life left. It looks like the entire face has eroded underneath it and the track here is simply just a chunk of soft, squishy peat held to the rock by a few roots. You'll know what I mean when you get to it.

Someone has wedged a piece of timber between the rock and a small tree that you can use to get over this bit. A little sketchy but doable.

From this section, it's a bit more of the same up and down before you reach Bechervaise Plateau, albeit less steep.

Our Winter Attempt at the Federation Peak Summit

The weather seemed to finally be on our side as we made our way over Moss Ridge. Besides some lingering clouds, we were confident that we could make the summit.

However, our confidence quickly waned. More clouds gathered as we climbed and conditions were very slippery. Fresh snow blanketed much of the face which made finding the right way up difficult. We didn't even make it to Chuckstone Gully, which is apparently the steepest part of the ascent.

In the end, we abandoned the attempt to summit Federation Peak. We were still soaked to the core, cold and a bit disoriented. Not a great condition to be in when attempting to climb one of Australia's most dangerous hiking peaks. Although it certainly hurt our ego to turn back after enduring so much hardship, we knew that it was too dangerous for us to continue, especially since we were struggling with the easier sections.

We ended up descending back down Moss Ridge and again staying at Cutting Camp. The next day, we departed at roughly 6 AM and made it back to the car park by 3:00 pm. Needless to say, we were very eager to get out at that stage so we absolutely pumped it back at a much swifter pace than on the way in.

Recap & Looking Back

Looking back, I can definitely say that we made the right move to call it quits. One wrong move up there and you're toast. I apologise for not being able to help with the final ascent but there are a few other blogs out there that cover it including Halfway Anywhere (above).

I juggled with the idea of posting a hiking guide to Federation Peak since we didn't really make the summit. But, in the end I thought it would be useful to post an updated account of our experience in Winter. I thought this would be especially helpful since much of the track has changed since the big fires a few years ago.

I hope you found this article helpful!

I really hope that you found it useful and that it aids in your preparation. Good luck and I wish you excellent weather.

Before you go, if you're looking for more Tasmanian hiking guides or adventure inspiration, make sure to check out some of my other articles below.

• 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
• Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
• Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
• Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
• Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!