Mount Wellington ranger Ben Masterman told the ABC about how the alluring waters of the ephemeral pool have always been a “no swimming” zone because it is a drinking water catchment zone.
“It’s always been no swimming in the drinking water catchment zone … we collect drinking water, so we don’t want people swimming, for sure,” he told the outlet on Wednesday, July 18.
He noted that walkers weren’t even allowed in the kunanyi catchment area “once upon a time,” but now, hikers can take in the beauty from the sidelines.
“We’re lucky we can walk off the track and go and visit the tarn,” he said, “Considering that it is in this sensitive environment – it’s just that we can’t swim in it and that has always been the case.”
Despite the tarn being a grade-four hike, the spot continues to be popular among hikers, and large crowds have been seen at the spot for years.
