The Walls of Jerusalem is not a roadside alpine lookout. There are no roads inside the national park and the first approach climbs hard from the Lake Rowallan trailhead before the terrain opens into lakes, pencil pine groves and the dolerite walls of the Central Plateau.
The main circuit is only 23 km on paper, but distance is a poor measure here. Most walkers allow three days, using the formal campsites as bases and leaving enough room for weather, side trips and the slow pace the landscape deserves.
How to get there
Drive to Lake Rowallan via Mole Creek and Mersey Forest Road. Just after crossing the Fish River, turn left onto the gravel access road and follow it for about 1.5 km to the Walls of Jerusalem car park.
The walking track begins at the registration booth in the main car park. There is no vehicle access beyond this point.
What to see and do
The climb to Wild Dog Creek
The first day to Wild Dog Creek is 6.1 km and normally takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The opening 3 km gains roughly 600 m through forest past Trappers Hut before reaching the alpine plateau.
It is a useful introduction to the character of the trip: a relatively short distance that still asks for proper fitness, weather protection and a full overnight pack.
The first 3 km gains about 600 m before the gradient eases near Trappers Hut. From there, the track crosses the alpine plateau past Solomons Jewels to Wild Dog Creek. In summer there can be no reliable water between the Fish River near the car park and Solomons Jewels, around 3.5 km into the walk.
Wild Dog Creek has raised tent platforms, toilets and untreated water supplied from the creek when conditions allow. Treat all tank and natural water before drinking.
The Central Walls
Beyond Wild Dog Creek, the track passes through Herods Gate into the Central Walls. This is the visual heart of the park, with glacial tarns, pencil pines and dolerite peaks enclosing the high plateau.
The area around the Pool of Bethesda and Solomons Throne is exactly why the walk should not be rushed. Side trips extend the day quickly, and tracks beyond the main circuit can become basic or unmarked.
From Wild Dog Creek, Herods Gate marks the entrance into the Central Walls. The main track continues past the Pool of Bethesda towards Damascus Gate, with side trips to Solomons Throne and The Temple. These extras add time and elevation quickly, so choose them around weather and daylight rather than assuming they are part of the base itinerary.
Dixons Kingdom
The main route continues through Damascus Gate towards Dixons Kingdom and its historic hut. Overnight visitors must camp in designated camping areas rather than spreading into the fragile alpine vegetation.
Dixons Kingdom has raised tent platforms, a full-capture toilet and untreated tank water. The historic hut nearby is for emergency shelter only, not regular accommodation.
From the campsite, Mount Jerusalem is a 1.2 km one-way side trip that climbs about 200 m and normally takes 1 to 1.5 hours each way. It is a strong extra in settled weather, not something to squeeze in automatically after a long approach.
How much time to allow
Three days is the standard plan for the 23 km circuit, and it is the right starting point for a first visit. Strong walkers can cover more ground, but extra speed does not remove the need to carry full alpine equipment or allow for weather delays.
A day walk does not require online overnight registration, but the distance to the Central Walls and the steep initial climb mean that a short visit only reaches the edge of what makes the park special.
Practical notes
- A valid Tasmania parks pass is required.
- Overnight walkers must register before the trip. Day walkers do not need online registration but should use the trailhead logbook.
- The park is a Fuel Stove Only Area and fires are prohibited.
- Overnight visitors must use designated camping areas at Wild Dog Creek, Dixons Kingdom or Lake Adelaide.
- In summer there may be no water between the Fish River near the car park and Solomons Jewels, around 3.5 km into the walk.
- Carry the current TASMAP Walls of Jerusalem National Park map and be equipped for snow, rain, wind and low visibility in any season.
- Stay on formed and hardened tracks to protect the slow-growing alpine vegetation.
- Wildlife, particularly possums, can damage tents and packs to reach food. Store food securely rather than leaving it inside an accessible backpack.
- Historic huts at Trappers Hut, Dixons Kingdom and Lake Ball are emergency shelters only.
- Water sources and campsite tanks are untreated and can be unavailable in dry or freezing conditions.
A suggested plan
Use the first day to climb to Wild Dog Creek and settle into the alpine environment. Spend the second day exploring the Central Walls and continuing towards Dixons Kingdom, then complete the circuit on day three.
Keep the itinerary flexible. In this park, carrying the right equipment and being willing to change the plan matters more than reaching every named peak.