By the end of the year, over a quarter of a million vehicles are expected to have made the journey to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington in the last 12 months.
According to data collected since 2014, there has been year-on-year growth of 1-21% in vehicle numbers entering Wellington Park, with the exception of 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were in place.
In its annual report, the Wellington Park Trust said people are particularly keen on visiting the summit during “heavy snowfall” or “aurora activity” and on significant holidays like New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day.
But this can prove difficult over Winter, with the City of Hobart regularly closing the road when snow or ice is forecast to impact the mountain.
“Weekends and public holidays consistently experience up to double the traffic generally seen on weekdays,” the report states.
“Seven of the 20 busiest days on record since 2014 occurred in the 2023-24 financial year.”
On the evening of May 11-12, the extraordinary Aurora Australis event saw an “unprecedented peak” in overnight traffic to the top of the mountain, making it the eighth busiest day on the road since records began.
The busiest day recorded was September 26, 2021, when 1,871 vehicles entered the park following heavy snowfall, while the busiest in 2023-24 was January 5, with 1,512 vehicles.
According to the Trust, the majority of vehicles exceed the 50km/h posted speed limit in both directions, more so in the southbound lane.
“The largest violations of the speed limit occur between 11pm and 4am (65-70 km/h) and are less extreme during daylight hours (generally 55-60 km/h),” the report states.
The state government is currently undertaking a review of the mountain to determine how it is best suited to serve the wider Tasmanian community in the future.
It will look at transport options, activation potential and is currently seeking feedback.
