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Wednesday 27 January 2016

Tower Bay

Wednesday 27th January 2016

Tower Bay
Tower Bay is located about halfway between Garretts Bight and Rossel Point on the South East coast and the walk start is reached by turning off the Huon Highway into Peacocks Road and following it until an intersection is reached with Lady Bay Road. Turn left here and drive to a parking area just before the locked gate. All is 2WD access.
It was raining on the way down and I had to use the wipers for the first time in ages.
I set off around the locked gate. The track was good and there was no sign of recent vehicular activity of any kind. The track crossed Selfs Rivulet which had barely a trickle.
Selfs Rivulet

Selfs Rivulet

Peacock Road after locked gate
It was easy walking with a few downed trees across the track but they were easily negotiated. After about half an hour pf walking I reached the place where I intended to head down to Tower Bay. The scrub was just thick enough to make it annoying but I soon reached the small creek that empties into Tower Bay. This I tracked down to the Bay taking just over a hour to do the 800 metres. It was slow going with many large trees to dodge but it was worth it as Tower Bay is a very nice spot.
Creek heading down to Tower Bay
I could see the cliffs up to the north where I guess it gets its name so I thought I would walk along the foreshore to hopefully reach them.
Tower Bay Cliffs

Tower Bay looking south

Tower Bay cliffs
I had timed it so it was just past high tide so I would not be trapped at all. I need not have worried because my progress was soon halted by a lovely little sea cave which prevented any advancement north.
Heading north

Sea Cave

Sea Cave

Sea Cave

The point heading towards the cliffs
This was indeed a nice surprise but there was no way around this spot other than to climb up and over the cliffs in this area and I was not doing that. They were very high and very steep so I simply turned around and walked back to the creek outlet for a break and to take in the scenery. There were a couple of sandstone boulders in amongst the grey rocks which were quite interesting.
High cliffs that would have to be negotiated to get further north

Sandstone Boulder

Sandstone Boulder
What really surprised me about this place is that there was absolutely no rubbish washed up on the beach, which was very pleasing. After a time I headed back up the creek to the road taking about the same amount of time. I then turned right and walked further up the track just to see if there was anything interesting at all. There wasn't really so turned around and headed back to the car.
This was a good walk and the Bay is very pleasant.
Distance: 9.0 kms.
Time: 4'30"
Ascent: 305 metres
Click here to download GPX file.



Sunday 17 January 2016

Surveyors Cove

Saturday 16th January 2016

Surveyors Cove
 Our aim today was to walk in to Denmans Cove and then to check out a little of the Three Capes Track (really only Two Capes at present) by walking to Surveyors Cove. It turned out to be a good day. Access to the walk start and previous post here.
We set off and reached Stinking Bay in no time. It did not live up to its name as there was not much smell today. There were a couple of campers here.
At Stnking Bay looking towards Arthurs Peak

At Stinking Bay looking towards Mount Brown

Stinking Bay Beach
We continued on along the beach and then on to the track at the end of the beach. After 1'50" we reached Denmans Cove. Not much had changed since I was here last except for a large buoy in the cove and a board walk leading to the start of the Three Capes Track.
Denmans Cove

Port Arthur from Denmans Cove

To Three Capes Walk

Start Three Capes Track

Start Three Capes Track
We set off up the track and immediately came to this sign below.
This sign is ambiguous, and I would suggest is purposely made that way to deter independent walkers. All that is required to walk the Three Capes Track is a valid Parks Pass and to camp instead of staying in the huts. See article here. As there were no signs designating that this section of track was one way we headed up the track, but not before disinfecting our boots at the cleaning station. The track was wide, wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Three Capes Track

Three Capes Track

Three Capes Track
It was very easy walking, definitely not bush walking, but good for the tourists, I suspect. There was great scenery along the 2.0 km. section that we did to Surveyors Cove.
Mount Brown from Three Capes Track

Looking towards Cape Pillar from Three Capes Track

Looking towards Stinking Bay from Three Capes Track

Bush walking luxury

Looking towards Point Puer from Three Capes Track

More bush walking luxury
Interestingly we came across a guy sitting on on of the seats, and engaged him in conversation to get some information. He had paid for the walk, but because of time restraints was not completing the entire walk and was catching the boat out from Denmans Cove at 1230. He had stayed at the huts at the Surveyors Cove site overnight and had been up to Arthurs Peak and back and then down to where he was now. Maybe that is all two way track - I don't know, and maybe if you pay you get special dispensation. It is very difficult to get accurate information. I do know that there are signs at the Cape Hauy junction stating that it is forbidden to walk along the coast in a southerly direction.
After a good chat we carried on to Surveyors Cove, which was not as nice as Denmans, but just the turn around point, really.
Surveyors Cove

Surveyors Cove
After a quick turn around we headed back to Denmans for lunch and to watch the boat come in. Our guy was there waiting. It did not arrive on time so we decided to head off and spotted it heading in about 20 minutes later. It was packed with walkers. We then simply walked back to the car. It was quite warm walking back through the bushy section.
This was indeed a good walk and achieved the aim of checking out the "Three Capes Track".
Anyone wanting to walk this section of the Three Capes Track without having to pay could use this access but at this stage there is only one camping ground open at Wughalee Falls. This is about 19 kms. from the walk start.
Distance: 14.9 kms.
Time: 5"21"
Ascent: 435 metres
Click here to download GPX file.