Tumbledown Point

Tumbledown Point

I had previously walked to Tumbledown Point about 5 years ago but that was from Stormlea. This time I started from White Beach at the end of White Beach Road.
I set off heading in a southerly direction along a basic track and it was quite easy walking. There was some rock hopping involved but that could have been avoided by sticking to the rough track. The sun was just appearing and was lighting up Wedge Island.

The track

Wedge Island

Rock Hopping

The first port of call was Sand Bay and Low Point.

Sand Bay, Low Point, Wedge Island

Wedge Island from Low Point

Kelp at Low Point

I continued on around the coastline passing Duckhole Bay to Rush Lagoon on Crooked Billet Bay. There was plenty of water in the lagoon from recent rain and the surrounding ground was quite wet.

Duckhole Bay

Duckhole Bay

Crooked Billet Bay

Rush Lagoon

Once I had rounded the point after Rush Lagoon I could see a white deposit on the next point, which I assumed was from birds and sure enough when I reached it, that was what it was. Obviously a favourite perch.

Crooked Billet Bay

Crooked Billet Bay

Unnamed Point with White Deposit

I kept going around to Two Island Bay where there was an opportunity to descend to a rocky beach below some high cliffs.

Two Island Bay

Rocky beach below cliffs

High Cliffs

On the rocky beach

Further around looking back

Around Two Island Bay I encountered a little bit of scrub but nothing too serious before accessing an old road/fire trail which I followed to the turnoff to Tumbledown Point. This avoided a bit of a scrub bash. I then walked the short distance down to the point. There was a fishing boat right at the point and it appeared that they had been putting out cray pots.

At Tumbledown Point

At Tumbledown Point

Tumbledown Point

After a short stop I walked back to the old road a kept going south east to the National Park fire break which I followed all the way back to Noyes Road and then White Beach Road to the car. This was all good walking and made the return leg quite easy.

Sheep Paddocks from the National Park

This was an excellent walk on a very pleasant day. There is no real track for most of the coastal route but it is easy to make a path through low grassy vegetation.
Distance:17.8 kms.
Time:5'12"
Ascent: 475 metres
GPX file is here.

Fools Tarn

Thursday 14th June 2018

Fools Tarn

Fools Tarn is nice little tarn that lies west of Trestle Mountain in Wellington Park. I had walked past it a few times as I walked to other destinations but had never ventured the short distance off track to see it.
I set off from the end of Suhrs Road through the pig and sheep farm and into Wellington Park along the Collins Cap Trail. It was reasonably cold but fine weather. Soon I was on the East West Trail and the surrounding peaks were shrouded in cloud.

Collins Bonnet

Mount Marian

Trestle Mountain

I took the short cut near Trestle Mountain and just past the Mount Marian turnoff found what could be a track or maybe not. Anyway I headed in the general direction of the tarn through quite low scrub and soon came across it. It was here that the wind started to blow and it was very cold. I was soon donning gloves, beanie and coat to keep out the chill.

Trestle Mountain

I had planned to scale Trestle Mountain from this western side and started heading in the direction of the mountain after I had a good look at the tarn. It was fairly easy walking across the button grass plains to the old disused fire trail. It was at this point that I wimped out and gave up the idea of going up the mountain. It would have been too cold and windy and unpleasant up on the summit so I just walked back to the East West Trail and then back to the car.

Button Grass Plains

Old Disused Fire Trail

Collins Bonnet in the clouds

This was a good and easy walk and the tarn is worth a look, maybe when summiting some of the other peaks in the area as it is only a short distance off track.
Distance: 14.9 kms.
Time: 4'22"
Ascent: 690 metres
GPX file is here.

South Wellington Gulch

Tuesday 5th June 2018

South Wellington Gulch

I have called this walk South Wellington Gulch because it does not seem to have an official name. It is  separate to Devils Gulch and is just west of same.
I had intended starting and finishing the walk from the summit of Mount Wellington but knew that it would have to be done from The Springs as the road was closed above here due to forecast ice.
I set off from The Springs up the Ice House Track, which I am sure gets steeper every time, and reached the top after about 1'15". From there I walked over to South Wellington.

Ploughed Fields

South Wellington

Devils Gulch

South Wellington

South Wellington

Hobart

Hobart

From South Wellington I started along the track that goes down to the Milles Track at the Potato Fields, but only walked this for a short distance before descending into South Wellingon Gulch. The descent into the gulch was rather challenging with numerous large rocks that had to be negotiated. After what seemed like a long time I finally reached the base of the gulch where progress was slightly easier, but there were still plenty of large rocks.

Heading down to the gulch

The descent

Bruny Island and Margate

South Wellington Gulch

I carried along the gulch having to watch every step carefully and eventually crossed the track to the Milles Track. From here I walked across country to Smiths Monument where I had lunch and then walked back to the car. There was a small section of ice on the Smiths Monument track and it became quite cold at this stage.

South Wellington Gulch

South Wellington Gulch

South Wellington Gulch

South Wellington Gulch

This was an interesting short walk but a genuine desire for rock hopping is required.
Distance: 8.0 kms.
Time: 5'14"
Ascent: 580 metres
GPX file is here.