b'Balfour 4WD TrackBaz was first to walk into the hole; winding sealed road with Bazswhat he discovered with his feet challenge, which side was thewasnt good. The boggy detours ferry on, far side, near side or indidnt look ideal either.We transit. Smiffy did win thewalked a route around the hole challenge, however, Baz changedthat seemed less boggy and had the rules to prevent this happen-people stand where the hardest ing, much to Smiffys distain.ground was. Baz went first; Continuing north with 360 degreesuccess! The other 2 vehicles panoramic views, bushfireThe 4WD track Balfour/Greenes Creek Road followed the same path. We took monitoring, probably controlled,junction is app. 5 km south of Temma, near several good chicken tracks off in the distance, made for littleSmithton on the far North West Coast of Tasmania. around some horrible washouts chit chat, but nothing to worryBalfour is 16 kms in an easterly direction from the and suddenly we saw a building, about. Eventually Mt Balfourjunction; the Balfour Track is rated hard because and then a gravel road and appeared and as did Balfourof a 70 metre long canal-like stretch of water along realised that we had finally found Track I stuck my nose down theone section; otherwise the track is rated medium the end of the track. It was late in track and Baz growled: dont you4WD standard. The Balfour Track connects SandyCape Track with Western Explorer Link Road. It is the day when we pulled into dare put a wheel in that, I wasntcommon to experience deep water hazards on the Granville Harbour and we decided going to, I just wanted a quickBalfour Track, so caution is recommended. to air up. Camping at Granville snap.Arthur River for the night atTrack information didnt look particularly pleasant; the familiar Manuka campgroundUnder the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area no toilets, no firewood and a sea as our base for 2 nights.Management Plan 2002, all vehicles using the breeze, so we returned on the 18-3-2020 Wednesday: WeBalfour Track require a Permit from the Parks and tarmac to Zeehan for the night.spent the day driving south alongWildlife Service Tasmania. Visitors are asked to There was no one section that the beach from Arthur Riverreport to the Parks office at Arthur River to obtainadvice on local conditions before starting their trip. was particularly hard just very passing through many fishingTrack details slow going, and the challenges communities along the SouthStart at Temma on the North West Coast of were just unrelenting. The views Cape Track and eventually visitingTasmania near Smithton and head South app. 6 whilst driving this track were the lighthouse. It rained most ofkilometres to Possum Creek. You will see Mount spectacular. Overall a very enjoy- the day. The sand was not tooBalfour less than 3 kilometres after leaving the able drive that I wouldnt want to soft and we all had a ball beachSandy Cape Track, where you will experience do very often.Back at camp; Viv driving.At the end of the day wedangerous side slopes. The first part of the track is posted a picture of Smiffys 200 drove up Balfour Track for a fewconsidered HARD. After 4 kilometres you will come stuck in the hole on TLCCVs kms till we got to a very large bogacross a large water hole. It is not uncommon forpeople to try and go around the water hole across Facebook page and we all hole where we prudently turnedthe ButtongrassPlain, however this is not recom- enjoyed the comments; Angle around. The rain held off for us tomended. Keep left, drive slowly and cover your Parking indeed! gather firewood off the beach.radiator and front of the car with plastic to minimise 17-03-2020 Tuesday:Departure 19-03-2020 Thursday: Breakingwater entering the engine bay. After 6 km you will was after lunch as time was need- camp in Arthur River this morningcome to a bridge and then after a further 3 kms a ed to refresh and repair, then, and heading to Balfour, an oldfurther deep water hole. Again, take care and were on the road to Corinna and mining town active early lastavoid going across the Buttongrass. Continue on Arthur River, but first, Trial century. Macca and Baz removedand after 14.5 kilometres you will come to theWestern Explorer Link Road. Turn left and return to Harbour, a small attractive town road kill, it was a bit gruesome asArthur River or continue on to Smithton. with a grand entrance, and ocean this was our attempt to stop theDetails views over the township. The Tassie devils getting run down DifficultyHard Permit ReqdYES actual road to Corinna is a tight whilst feeding on the carcass.Distanceapp. 18 kmsTime2-3 hours CarryRecovery GearTravel AloneNOClimies 4WD Track Rating: Very Difficult -Suitable for high clearancevehicles with dual range and tyres suitable for theterrain. Drivers should have extensive andadvanced experience as there are severaltechnical challenges. Recommended to be done ingroups of four or more vehicles, as vegetation istoo low to winch from.The scenery is spectacular, with the ocean oftenwhipped up by the Roaring Forties wind.Picturesque waterfalls, clifftops and wonderfulmountain views are encountered along the way. Climies Track follows a hilly coastal route throughMt Heemskirk Regional Reserve between GranvilleHarbour and Trial Harbour. The track is suitable forexperienced 4WD drivers only, with hill-climbs, bogholes, rocky river crossings, and muddy erodedsections. There are campsites and toilets availableat TrialHarbour.Distance; 24.8 kmTRACKWATCH MARCH 2021 21'