Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This relief will be relatively short-lived, as the apparently endless descent begins. Salis-
bury Lodge may seem close, but you will discover as the track drops into the forest that it's
a lot further away than it looks. Those legs already severely punished by Mt Arthur and
Gordons Pyramid may enter purgatory as they pick their way down through the forest of
stunted beech trees festooned with lichen, the track trip-laden with tree roots.
Eventually you will emerge into the golden, tufty tussock lands known as
Salisbury's
Open
. Cross the meadow to
Salisbury Lodge
(22 bunks), a relatively luxurious hut (well,
there is solar lighting…) with views out over the golden meadows and the Arthur Range.
The lodge is named after Thomas Salisbury, who stumbled across the tableland in 1865. Just
east of the lodge is a small cave and some potholes that can be explored.
SIDE TRIP: MT ARTHUR SUMMIT
2-3 HOURS, 10KM RETURN, 245M ASCENT/DESCENT
The summit of Mt Arthur is a truly magnificent viewpoint, one that may elicit a spontaneous
outburst of the chorus of the Carpenters' song 'Top of the World' as you survey Tasman
Bay, the Richmond Ranges, the nearby Twins, the Southern Alps and then some.
This track should only be scaled by experienced trampers with appropriate equipment and
in favourable weather. A well-marked route ascends from Mt Arthur Hut, passing the junc-
tion to Gordons Pyramid, and continuing up an exposed ridge to the summit (1795m). Take
care around the many bluffs, sinkholes and caves.
