Saturday 16th January 2016
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| 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.
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| At Stnking Bay looking towards Arthurs Peak |
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| At Stinking Bay looking towards Mount Brown |
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| 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.
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| Denmans Cove |
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| Port Arthur from Denmans Cove |
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| To Three Capes Walk |
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| Start Three Capes Track |
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| 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.
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| Three Capes Track |
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| Three Capes Track |
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| 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.
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| Mount Brown from Three Capes Track |
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| Looking towards Cape Pillar from Three Capes Track |
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| Looking towards Stinking Bay from Three Capes Track |
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| Bush walking luxury |
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| Looking towards Point Puer from Three Capes Track |
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| 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.
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| Surveyors Cove |
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| 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.
Great to see the latest information on the Three Capes Track. I have walked in to Denmans a couple of times from Stinking Bay, it's a great rough and isolated section especially as you round the point and descend into Denmans Cove and it's encouraging to see that they haven't changed things too much there at least. I actually tried to find a pad to Surveyors Cove but couldn't find anything through the thick bush and the tapes ran out when I tried coming from the opposite direction but of course that is now irrelevant since the new track has been built.
ReplyDeleteI think the 3 Capes Walk is a good thing for the economy but it does start to annoy me somewhat as Cape Pillar was a great place to visit during the winter time. I had several camping spots that I used one of which is right down by the Blade and was perfect for sunset and sunrise photos and I certainly don't fancy being stranded in a tent at Wughali Falls fighting off leeches all night still being being a few hours away from where I want to be. They have apparently blocked off the old track down to Lunchtime Creek where the only reliable source of water could be collected for extended stays on the Peninsular and it is not possible to use their water from the tanks at the huts. So to me it seems that they have blocked off the Tasman Peninsular to locals that have used this area for years. Even if you pay the hefty 500 dollars you are still forced to follow a designated route and schedule which is not how bushwalkers like to operate. So winters are now going to be very difficult cutting down the available overnight/multi day walks options available. Unless of course I just go and defy the system of course !!.
Great blog and I'm waiting to see a visit to Mount Picton ( which incidently is on my do list this summer !! ).
Thanks for your comments, Steve. You certainly get the feeling that the powers that be are trying to deter the non paying peasants from accessing the area. As you probably know the old Cape Pillar track is still open, but you can't turn right off it and go to Arthurs Peak. I may go to Arthurs Peak via the old track and come back along the new section sometime in the future just to check it out.
DeleteMount Picton is on the list but will probably wait until it is cooler.