Hiking South East Tasmania

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Wellington Falls Circuit

Thursday 28th February 2013

Wellington Falls

I parked the car at the car park just near the start of Pinnacle Road at Fern Tree and set off at 0730. I first walked back along Huon Road past the tavern and onto the start point of various tracks in the park . The first track I walked up was the Middle track followed by the Radfords track to The Springs and then up past the site of the old hotel, cosmic ray observatory and on to the Milles track. It was all uphill to this point, but best to do this early in the day, I say.

Cathedral Rock from Milles Track

The track climbed steadily passing the Ice House track on the right and kept on climbing, but not steeply before descending to Disappearing Tarn and The Potato Fields. There was no water in the tarn which is pretty normal and the Potato Fields which consists of many, many boulders which have to be negotiated, although this was not difficult. After this the track climbed steadily again to near the falls.

Potato Fields

The track now descended to the falls where there is a lookout and it is also possible to descend to the base of the falls. I opted not to do that today. From here the track descended all the way back to the car via the Wellington Falls track and Pipeline track.
Overall a good walk and even though it is quite long, much of it is easy, so it does not take a great deal of time.
Distance: 21.3 kms.
Time: 5'55"
Ascent: 630 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Potato Fields

Top of Wellington Falls

Saint Crispins Well

Montagu Thumbs from Pipeline Track

Cathedral Rock from Pipeline Track

Monday, 25 February 2013

Denmans Cove

Monday 25th February 2013

Denmans Cove

Denmans Cove is on the Tasman Peninsula. To reach the start of the walk turn right into old Fortescue Road about 5.5 kms. past Taranna and then after 300 metres right into Andersons Road. Drive for 1.2 kms. to a parking area and signs.
I set off at 0920 and walked uphill on an old track for 700 metres before finding the track on the right hand side. This descended steadily through some nice forest for a further 700 metres to Stinking Bay which is aptly named.

Arriving at Stinking Bay

It was a perfect day and the water was very calm. I walk along the track to the beach at the head of the bay, crossed Gathercoles Creek, which was only a trickle, and carried on up the beach to pick up the track again near the rocks.

Gathercoles Creek and Stinking Bay Beach

The track went inland then back to the coast and followed the coastline to Simmons Creek, which was easily forded and then kept going along the coast to finally arrive at Denmans Cove, some 4.0 kms. after setting off.

Arriving at Denmans Cove looking north

Denmans Creek flows into the cove so I walked up it a little way and found a spot for lunch and then after that I walked out on the rocks on the southern side of the cove. It was a picturesque place. There were views of Port Arthur and I could see the cruise boat sailing around the Isle of the Dead. After dwelling for a while I simply retraced my steps back to the car.
This is a great short walk with no great effort required and provides excellent coastal scenery.
Distance: 10.0 kms.
Time: 3'45"
Ascent: 320 metres
Click here to download GPX track.