Tasmanian authorities have issued a stark warning to bushwalkers as severe winter conditions set in, urging them to be prepared for treacherous alpine weather. The warning follows a high number of search and rescue operations, with many incidents deemed avoidable.
According to a report from Pulse Tasmania on Tuesday, Tasmania Police and Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are concerned about walkers being ill-equipped for the cold. Cradle Mountain ranger Brendan Moodie told the outlet he frequently sees hikers in unsuitable clothing such as jeans and puffer jackets, which he said are “basically useless” once wet. He noted that cotton and wet down clothing can dangerously draw heat away from the body.
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue responded to 375 call-outs across the state in the 2025-26 period, Pulse Tasmania reported, with about 100 of those incidents involving people who were not prepared for the conditions. Most rescues occurred in alpine areas like Cradle Mountain and Mount Wellington.
In a media release last winter, Tasmania Police detailed similar concerns after its search and rescue helicopter was dispatched to nearly 200 missions in the 2024-25 financial year. Police at the time described rescuing a family with a small child who spent two nights in blizzard conditions equipped only for a day walk.
Authorities emphasise that Tasmania’s weather can change in minutes. The feels-like temperature at Cradle Mountain dropped to minus 10 degrees this week, according to the Pulse Tasmania report.
Both Tasmania Police and the Parks & Wildlife Service advise walkers to carry appropriate gear regardless of the planned length of their trip. Essential items include proper waterproof layers, sturdy hiking boots, a physical map, a personal locator beacon (PLB), sufficient food and water, and a torch. Police also strongly advise against walking alone and urge everyone to leave their detailed plans with a reliable person before setting out.
The original ABC News report, which prompted this summary, highlighted a veteran rescuer’s warning not to base trip plans on social media portrayals. For more on that perspective, readers can find the full story on the ABC News website.