Lake wombat is an easy interesting forest walk that will take you around 1 hr & 30 mins.
Some people would call it a tarn not a lake that sits below Alex Knob, 1300 mt. This lake was formed 9,000 years ago by the Franz Josef Glacier.
Kim from the Franz Josef DOC had this to say about the walk “I’m really pleased that you have included the Lake Wombat track in your listings, that is one of my favourite walks in the area and it is often overlooked! The bird life and flora are incredible on that track. I’m quite excited, the Easter Orchids will be starting to bloom soon and there is some fantastic spots on the Lake Wombat track where there are heaps of them, so it is a real feast for the senses (they smell like vanilla!).” This comment was made in February.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Franz Josef
- Distance: 3 km
- Time needed: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Return
- Difficulty: Easy
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Double back
- Elevation: 250m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: No
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: No
- Last Updated: November, 2019
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Summary points about this walk
Points of interest along the walk
Point 1: Starting Point
The carpark is around 2 km in on the right, on the Franz Josef Glacier road. The carpark is a small one so get in early. Don’t cross the road to the other walkway, just walk into the bush and follow the well formed track.
Point 2: Alex Knob Turnoff
Within minutes of leaving the car park you will cross a walking and cycle track that runs up to the Franz Josef Glacier Carpark, and then you will cross over a small bridge. The next point of interest is the turn off to Alex Knob track, an eight hour walk to a height of 1300 mt.
Point 3: Lake Wombat
From the Alex Knob track turn off you only have fifteen minutes to reach wombat Lake. Today there was no mirror effect on Lake Wombat because the wind was up and causing light ripples across the lake. But I could still sit down in the sun and listen to the birds singing in the trees while I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and a biscuit. No, even that was short lived. The non stop noise from the choppers flying up to the Franz Josef Glacier Car park put an end to that.
