Australia is the flattest continent on Earth – a win for runners, but not so much for those who love a heart-pumping hike. Our highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko in NSW, stands at 2,228 metres, which is basically a hill when stacked against Everest’s 8,848 metres. But Kosci is far from our nation’s toughest climb. That honour belongs to a rugged, near-vertical spire tucked away in Tasmania, which Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Everest, declared “Australia’s only real mountain”.
Federation Peak isn't the tallest peak in Australia, but at 1,224 metres, it’s well regarded as the most terrifying to climb. The lone quartzite spire is hidden in plain sight in Tasmania’s rugged Eastern Arthur Range, roughly 90 kilometres south-west of Hobart.
For those brave enough to tackle Federation Peak, the easiest route begins at Farmhouse Creek – but ‘easy’ is relative. The 38-kilometre return hike, with an elevation gain of 2,303 metres, can take up to five punishing days. From Lake Geeves, climbers face 600 metres of near-vertical rock, including a gruelling bush bash along the notorious Moss Ridge.
While it takes both physical and mental strength to reach the top, the real challenge begins on the way down. The vertical rock faces are even trickier to descend, turning treacherous in winter when strong winds and fierce rain gush through the region. So, unless you’re a highly experienced mountaineer, it’s wise to stick to Mount Kosciuszko.