1. Previous (pre-2018) public access arrangements
Under the previous ownership of Reg Hall and his daughter Mrs Elizabeth McQuilkin, generous public access was permitted to users who sought permission to visit this significant but privately owned, historical hut.
Under the new custodianship of Daniel Hackett, an enhanced Public Access Program has been developed to ensure that bushwalkers and fishers will continue to have public access to the hut, while ensuring that the environment of the island is protected first and foremost.
2. Historical public usage levels – 3 groups per year (12 persons)
Hut journal records from the past 26 years of use at Halls Island indicate an average visitation of approximately three visitor groups per year, with an average group size of three to four persons (12 persons in total per annum). The majority of these visitors self-identified as repeat visitors with a long-term connection to the hut, or bushwalking club members. Very few identified as anglers.
3. (Post 2018) Public Access Program – 15 visitor groups per year.
Of first and foremost importance is the protection of Values found at Halls Island, including the rare native pines that line the foreshore, the on-island sphagnum bogs, and the Tasmanian heritage listed private hut. The only way that private and public users can achieve this, is by co-ordinating access.
The outcome of the Access Program is increased public access well-over and above any historical levels, and improved environmental outcomes for the protected values of Halls Island.
All costs associated with conserving the Tasmanian heritage-listed private hut including local council rates, public liability insurance, PWS licence fees, heritage planning and assessments, and hut maintenance costs (including associated helicopter reliant access) are borne by the hut owner, at no cost to public visitors. To support this Public Access Program, the owner has applied to operate a small tourism camp on the island (restricted to 30 commercial trips per year). The application includes helicopter use provisions required to enable access, the restoration and perpetual maintenance of the hut into the future, along with installation of full-capture (fly-in, fly-out) toilet pods and short-sections of raised perforated boardwalks over sensitive vegetation. The camp will generate long-term sustainable income to fund and continue free public access via this Public Access Program, restore and re-open the private historical hut, and return a further 5% of income back to the Parks and Wildlife Service every year.
To co-ordinate access, protect the Values, and maximise the experience of each visitor (ensuring that only one group is visiting the island at any one time) visitors are required to:
a. Contact Wild Drake P/L by Email stay@hallsisland.com.au to co-ordinate the date of your visit. Be aware that the weeks either side of public holidays are often popular, and the island can only fit one group at any one time. Maximum group size is 4 persons.
b. At all times adhere to the NRM South ‘Keeping It Clean’ biosecurity guidelines. If you don't know the routine, you can find it here https://nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/weeds/weed-hygiene/keeping-it-clean-a-tasmanian-field-hygiene-manual
c. Avoid traversing alpine bogs and fens, and remember that many of the trees and shrubs on Halls Island (including small native pines located around the natural rock jetty) are only found in small populations. Demonstrate common sense, and don't bush-bash your way around the lake edge.
d. No smoking, no fires, no firewood cutting.
e. Do not leave or deposit any rubbish or waste on the island. That includes poo and toilet paper! Watch out for micro-trash such as bits of wrappers or plastic.
f. Do not disturb any items, or use any plant or equipment that is situated on the island. Our row boat has been deliberately vandalised twice, and deliberately sunk once with all the internal flotation and bung deliberately and forecibly removed. The previous original 1950's row boat was ultimately destroyed by careless users decades before. Please don't let the actions of a few ruin it for everyone else, and help us keep the heritage safe. There are other items around the island (such as chicken wire, fencing wire, hoses and rock arrangements near the hut, as well as rock piles and bits of timber in and above the waterline near the natural rock jetty) that may look like rubbish, but please leave them as found; these are connected to the heritage-listed human history of the island, such as the on-island herb garden, rock gardens, previous amphibious plane access, and various inventive drinking water schemes. Over time these elements will become part of the low-key hut interpretation, and incorporated into the hut restoration once all approvals are received.
g. Do not disturb or interfere with the various fauna photo-monitoring sites (still-cameras) that are located from time to time on
the island. These helps us learn more about how the island is used, including movements of wallabies and fauna to-and-from the island.
h. You will be visiting the island entirely at your own risk, and you agree not to hold Daniel Hackett or Wild Drake P/L responsible for any injury, loss or damage that may occur whilst visiting Halls Island.
I. If you see something wrong, like a damaged boat or hut items, cut firewood, or the chimney cap missing from the top of the hut chimney, please let Daniel know immediately upon return.
J. The private historical hut is currently closed for use to all users while we await formal heritage and helicopter-use approvals for its first major restoration since construction in 1956. The restoration will include the removal and replacement of the rotton Eucalypt bottom logs, the off-site restoration and on-site re-installation of the custom drinking water gutter, removal of the roof to enable the replacement of the rotten and flammable tar-paper sarking, replacement of atleast one rafter, subsequent re-installation of the original roof, making the hazardous fireplace safe and useable via the installation of an enclosed stove, and removing the built-in benches, bunks, and floor boards so that a entirely new subfloor can be installed, before putting each floor board, built-in bench, bunk and paraphernalia back into original positions. The current threat posed by a yellow gum overhanging the hut will also need to be managed via an on-site visit from a professional tree arborist, and associated permits. The restoration and re-opening of the heritage hut to a new generation is a complex and expensive job! Until this is completed, please do not attempt to enter or use the hut, as the sub floor has collapsed, and the bottom half of the historically important front door is jammed. Just to re-iterate, do not push / pull on the door (however feel free to peak-in through the top-half of the barn door design, but secure it fully closed afterwords).
Once you've e-mailed us, we'll confirm the date with you via email, and you'll confirm that your group understands and accepts all of the conditions above via text message (our phone number will be in the email) to complete the process. Your phone number will be used as a means to contact you should an emergency or similar event related to Halls Island occur prior to your trip, or as a point of follow-up contact post-trip should the need occur.
The means of access to the TWWHA, and walking routes etc to Lake Malbena are the responsibility of the visitor. Access to Halls Island is by water only. Whilst visiting Halls Island, visitors must adhere to any directions given by the lessors (Daniel Hackett / Wild Drake P/L), to ensure that environmental integrity, safety and the important values of Halls Island are maintained.
All visitors must have a history of respectful relations with the hut owners: we would like visitors to have a great experience, and equally we expect to be able to facilitate public access, and visit and use the area ourselves without fear of damage to our hut and equipment, free of harrassment or injury, just like any other user.
Under this continuing enhanced Visitor Access Program, the important natural values of Halls Island and the Tasmanian heritage listed private hut are be available to more public walkers and fishers to experience.