Deadly walk framed as a 'step count' boost in Tourism Australia post

The Western Arthur Range Traverse has a Grade 5 rating, the highest difficulty rating. (Supplied: Charles Chadwick) A Tourism Australia social media post has promoted one of Tasmania's most challenging bushwalks without disclosing its risks, drawing concern about how dangerous tracks are being presented online. Bushwalkers say polished travel content can downplay the realities of remote wilderness hikes, potentially misleading or endangering less experienced walkers. The post's caption has since been updated, but Tourism Australia did not directly address questions about safety messaging or future changes to its promotion of high-difficulty tracks. Link copiedShareShare articleA glossy tourism post on social media can make a deadly bushwalk look like just another picturesque bucket list item. That's what happened this week on Tourism Australia's official Instagram account. The national agency uploaded a reel showcasing the Western Arthur Range Traverse in Tasmania, along with a caption encouraging viewers to visit it as a way to boost their "daily step count". "In Tassie, upping the daily step count could lead you to multi-day wilderness adventures you can't have anywhere else in the world," the post reads. Tasmania's own tourism department even weighed in, saying "the climb is real, but the pay-off is unmatched". Despite its stunning views, "this ain't a walk in the park", as one commenter put it. Stretching 58 kilometres through Tasmania's remote south-west wilderness, the Western Arthur Range Traverse is a demanding and technically challenging five- to nine-day walk. This view is from the Eastern Arthurs, looking back on the Western Arthur Range in Tasmania. (ABC Open contributor tasmanianwilderness) Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) says it should only be attempted by very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including in navigation and emergency first aid. Under the Australian Walking Track Grading System, the track is classified at the highest rating, Grade 5, which is reserved for tracks that are typically very rough, steep and unmarked. Bushwalkers attempting the walk are warned by PWS to "expect steep cliffs, exposed rock, difficult navigation, heavy packs and unpredictable weather". The warning goes even further: "Bushwalkers have died attempting this track." The technically challenging walk takes in sights such as Procyon Peak. (Supplied: Dan Broun) The most recent fatality was a 54-year-old Queensland man in 2024. There have also been numerous rescues over the years, including for bushwalkers who have broken a leg, been bitten by a snake, or who have become lost. Social media is a goldmine for finding travel inspiration, but experienced walkers say it is important to do your research beyond content and captions. Ross Stephens says the walk is one of the hardest in Australia. (Supplied: Ross Stephens) Bushwalking Australia vice president Ross Stephens said he was surprised to see how Tourism Australia had advertised the walk, which he referred to as one of the hardest in Australia. Mr Stephens said Tourism Australia's video failed to capture what most of the walk was actually like, or the reality of hiking in Tasmania's remote Southwest National Park. He said despite the clip featuring a boardwalk, only a small portion of the track resembled that section, with most of it "rocky, uneven, steep and sometimes muddy". "It's right down in the south-west corner and exposed to bad weather. It can snow, hail, or blow to a gale at any time of the year. "South-west Tasmania is a place for adventure, for experienced bushwalkers only. It is not a place for casual tourists. The clip has no context or caveats that express this." The Tourism Australia Instagram post was later updated to include a link to more information about the multi-day walk. (Instagram/@australia) He advises people who see walks promoted on social media to do their research first, including checking official websites, understanding track grading and reviewing any recommended gear or safety advice. "You should do that kind of stuff just to check that you're in the right ballpark and to not take on walks that are beyond your experience level," he said. Mr Stephens said the Western Arthur Range Traverse was well known within bushwalking circles and not a track typically discovered by beginners. Tilted Chasm is considered the hardest section of the multi-day hike, according to Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service. (Supplied: Dan Broun) After being contacted by the ABC about the video's caption, Tourism Australia has edited its wording. "Relentless" and "punishing" are often used to describe Tasmania's Western Arthurs bushwalk, what do you need to survive? The caption now directs readers to the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service website "for more information on this hike". The caption still does not mention the track's Grade 5 classification or that it is recommended only for experienced

Deadly walk framed as a 'step count' boost in Tourism Australia post

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