Monday 10th February 2014
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| Geilston Bay Marina |
Today was only going to be a short walk and so it turned out, taking just over 3 hours.
I parked in De Bonfords Lane at Geilston Bay and walked back to the main road and then into Geilston Bay Road and walked to the end where there was a small car park and the start of the track. I noted that there was a new bridge linking the two roads and I could have saved about 1 km. of walking - oh well, I logged it into my brain for the return.
The track followed the north side of Geilston Bay and then around the point and down to Shag Bay. After this the track climbed and I took to the scrub to meet up with an old track which climbed steeply uphill. The bush in this area was easy to walk through with no scrub bashing required.
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| Shag Bay |
The track was now an old road which climbed steadily up to almost the top of Government Hills. The bush in this area was very pleasant and the only sound of civilization was the drone of the zinc works across the river. After peaking, the track descended to finally meet up with Risdon Street and then down to the river bank where the return track began. There was plenty of activity out on the water from all types of water craft, including, jet skis, fishing boats, pleasure boats, rowers and tinnies. It seemed that heaps of people were out enjoying the great weather.
I stopped for a while and watched a ship being unloaded with, I presume, ore for the smelter and then continued on what is called the Bedlam Walls Track. The water views were great and it was quite relaxing, just dawdling along the river bank.
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| Ore Ship |
The track went around Porter Bay and to Tommys Bight and then headed uphill to join up with the outward leg. This was followed for a very short distance before walking down towards the river bank again to Shag Bay Point and on to Shag Bay.
I then walked back to the car omitting the extra leg that I had walked earlier in the day.
I found that I enjoyed this walk more than I had expected and if anyone wants a shortish walk close to the city with not too much ascent, then I would recommend it. There are roads and tracks everywhere in the Government Hills area, so there are plenty of opportunities to vary the walk.
Distance: 11.3 kms.
Time: 3'10"
Ascent: 387 metres
Click here to download GPX track.
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| Shag Bay |
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| Old Boiler in Shag Bay |
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| Track through Government Hills |
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| Tasman Bridge |
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| White-faced Heron |
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| Rowers on the Derwent |
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Zinc Works
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