Mother and son hikers rescued

A MOTHER and son have been rescued by boat after getting stranded in blizzard-like conditions in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

Sonia and Daniel, who didn’t want their surname released, set off on Friday for a three-day hike at Lake Mackenzie.

The pair ran into trouble on Sunday night when a cold snap hit.

They were unable to cross Fisher River but used a satellite messenger to call for help. The pair set up camp for an extra night and were reached by police in an inflatable boat yesterday morning.

Sergeant Michael Gillies said the situation could have been a great deal worse had the duo not been prepared.

“The pair were well equipped and in good spirits when we located them, but I think they will take a little more notice of the weather next time,” he said.

“This time of year is particularly hazardous.”

A cold front is expected to bring snow and wild winds to parts of Tasmania including the Central Plateau.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an alert for bushwalkers, with snow expected to fall as low as 100m in western parts of the state this morning.

Significant snow depths are likely in the Cradle Valley, the state’s West Coast, the Central Plateau and far South this week, which may lead to prolonged road closures.

The temperature in the Cradle Valley will rise to just 2C today after an overnight low of -4C.

Surfers and boaties are watching the water with big swells forecast for today and into Wednesday as a low continues to cross the state.

Swells of up to four metres were recorded in several areas yesterday, including the area south of King Island, offshore from St Helen’s Point and Shipstern’s Bluff.

The conditions are forecast to intensify with swells of between 5-8 metres brewing off the state’s rugged West Coast today and waves of the same size forecast to develop in the southeast on Wednesday.