Mt Somers walking tracks
Track category
Walking track
Description
Sharplin Falls
Time: 45 min
Distance: 1.2 km
Sharplin Falls Track is a well-formed, easy walk suitable for people of modest fitness. From the carpark the track leads to a bridge across Bowyers Stream and follows it upstream through beech forest.
Bowyers Stream, named after an early Staveley sawyer, drops several metres over the Mt Somers southern fault system, forming a series of cataracts.
Nature Trail
Time: 30 min
Distance: 1 km
Cross the bridge over Woolshed Creek before continuing up the true left of the creek. The river is then forded (take care fording the river, if in doubt, return the way you came) before climbing out through the dross (old coal dust) screened from coal at the bottom of the jig before returning to Woolshed Creek car park.
Getting there
Mt Somers Track can be started from either Staveley or Mt Somers township.
Staveley - turn off Inland Scenic Route 72 at Staveley and follow the road to the Sharplin Falls car park, which has a shelter, toilets and an information panel.
Mt Somers township - from the township, follow Ashburton Gorge Road for approximately 10 km before turning right onto Jig Road which will take you to the Woolshed Creek picnic area. Here you will find a large grassy, sheltered picnic area with toilets and information.
Guides and commercial tourism providers