Pebbly Bight

Thursday 3rd July 2014

Pebbly Bight

I have been putting off walking to Fishers Point as it is only a short walk and a fair way to drive so I thought I would extend the walk around to Pebbly Bight on the eastern shore and make it worth the drive down.
The gravel section of road from Ida Bay down to Cockle Creek was in poor condition with thousands of water filled pot holes and when I arrived, there was a closed gate before the Cockle Creek bridge which was only open from 10am to 4 pm. I parked here and started walking at 0830.

Cockle Creek

I immediately walked down to the beach and followed this around to the well known whale sculpture.

Whale Sculpture

After this I walked along the track for a short distance before emerging on to the beach again. The track basically followed the coast line around to Fishers Point, sometimes on the beach and sometimes on a track a little inland.

Pilot Station ruins at Fishers Point

At Fishers Point was the ruins of the Pilot Station building, built in 1843 and a solar powered navigation light on the point.

Navigation light on Fishers Point

After having a good look around I continued on heading south along the coast line of Pancake Bay. It was constant rock hopping from here and I had to be careful as the rocks were a little slippery and the kelp that had been washed up was super slippery and worse if it was wet. There were a few large trees down across the beach and these had to be negotiated as well.

Pancake Bay and First Lookout Point

I carried on to First Lookout Point where I came up to a gully in the rocks which looked very difficult to cross as the rocks were so slippery. I headed inland and immediately stumbled on to a track which went slightly inland, thus bypassing the point, before emerging once more on the beach.

Gully at First Lookout Point

Not long after emerging onto the beach I found an oceanographic buoy washed up in amongst the rocks. I took photos of it along with the serial number and have since contacted the manufacturer as per the instructions on it.

Looking towards Pebbly Bight and Second Lookout Point

From here it was more rock hopping to the end of the beach at Pebbly Bight. The rocks were more slippery here from the spray that was coming of the shore break. I stopped for an early lunch before retracing my steps back to the car except for the section from the whale sculpture, where I walk along the road.
This was a good walk on a good day and if one doesn't mind rock hopping, then it is enjoyable. No navigation is required as the walk just follows the coast around.
Distance: 11.9 kms.
Time: 5'06"
Ascent: 135 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Rocky Bay

Pilot station building Fishers Point

Oceanographic Buoy

Pebbly Bight

Pebbly Bight