Tongatabu

Wednesday 23rd April 2014

Tongatabu

Today was going to be an exploratory walk to the summit of Tongatabu near Geeveston, and if time permitted, a walk around Swearing Bobs Plain. All did not go to plan.
I drove along Hermons Road at Geeveston and turned into Boney Road, which I followed for about 2 kms. to find a spot to park just before the road becomes 4WD. The road up to this point was quite okay for conventional vehicles and passed through a recently logged and burnt area.
I set off walking just before 0800. The first part of the track was through a nice rainforest area before it opened out and traversed around Swearing Bobs Plain. This section of track is actually part of the Tasman Trail.

Rainforest section of track

The walking was easy and I soon reached the intersection of Boney road and a forestry road which I walked up for about 400 metres to where I figured I would walk up to the summit of Tongatabu. This is where the fun started or not. It was very scrubby with cutting grass and lots of trees and assorted scrub which made progress very slow. Finally I came to a slightly more open section and I thought I was right for a more easier walk to the summit. How wrong I was!! The scrub became thicker and did not relent until I decided to turn back some 350 metres from the summit. It had taken me 2'15" to walk 700 metres and I had had enough. Even though I was wearing a long shirt and pants, the sleeves of my shirt were just so bloody from all the scratches. I had intended to walk to the summit and along the ridge and back down via a different route but the only way back down was really down the way I had come up as it was at least a slightly cleared path.

View from halfway up Tongatabu

I was so relieved to finally reach the track that I sat down for a while and had a late lunch. I abandoned plans for the Swearing Bobs Plain walk and retraced my steps back to the car. On the corner of Boney Road and the forestry road that I followed to Tongatabu I did discover piles of shells which included abalone and scallop shells. I don't know what they were doing so far from the sea. This area seemed to be a somewhat cleared area for camping and a few camp fire places were evident.
I don't think I would attempt another walk up to the summit unless I can find any easier route. I will however try a walk through Swearing Bobs Plain in the future.
Distance: 10.8 kms.
Time: 6'00"
Ascent: 495 metres

Open section of track

Shells

Shells

Burnt section of forest where I parked

Click here to download GPX track.

Bakers Creek Trail

Wednesday 9th April 2014

Stony Point Trail

The goal of today's walk was to start on White Timber Trail, walk Stony Point Trail and Bakers Creek Trail to where it meets private property and then possibly walk to Fletchers Hill and return. The last part I had doubts about and as it turned out I did not make it to Fletchers Hill.
I drove up Judds Creek Road from Judbury and turned right at White Timber Trail and then drove 3 kms. to a convenient parking spot beside the road. The last couple of hundred metres was definitely 4WD territory, but up to this point could be negotiated by 2WD with care, although there some quite large exposed rocks on the crossing of Judds Creek.
I set off walking at 0735 and after 150 metres turned right into Stony Point Trail. The track went gradually downhill and was 4WD up to about 700 metres from the start where there was a large tree across the road. This made it impossible for any type of conventional vehicle to travel any further and for the next 700 metres there were several large trees across the road.

Stony Point Trail

The track went downhill at a gentle gradient for about 4.5 kms., crossed Crabtree Rivulet which was dry, and met the Bakers Creek Trail. It was easy walking and the track passed through some very nice forest, alternating between open forest and damp rainforest. It was extremely pleasant walking along and listening to all the bird life. At the track junction there was a forestry sign stating that the Stony Creek Trail was closed from here on and a makeshift private property sign as well. It used to be possible to walk to White Timber Mountain from Crabtree, up the Jefferys Track, on the White Timber Trail and back down the Stony Point Trail, but that has been closed for quite some time. I had prior knowledge of this, so I was not surprised by the sign.

Stony Point Trail and Bakers Creek Trail junction

Here I turned onto the Bakers Creek Trail and carried on. The track undulated somewhat but nothing drastic. I wanted to check out a small lake that was just to the west of the track and was hoping to find an easy path leading to it, but could not, so I decided to leave it until the return journey. I carried on and after some time reached the private property on the southern end of the track. Along here I was searching for a track that would lead off in the direction of Fletchers Hill, but could find nothing. I had not been that hopeful really, and not in favour of a 4.0 kms. return scrub bash, I opted to head back.
On the return trip I checked out the lake. This required a short scrub bash to get near the lake and a rather vigorous scrub bash to finally reach the lake as the cutting grass was about 3 metres tall and there was a thicket of tea trees around the waters edge.

Small Lake

I had intended to have lunch here, but there was nowhere to sit as the edges of the lake were quite wet and muddy, so I went back to the track and had a bite. The lake was a pretty sight out in the middle of nowhere and I had been hoping to see some birdlife, but alas, nothing. After lunch I kept walking back in the direction of the car and finally reached it at 1400.
This was quite a long walk, but not unduly taxing, and although there were no views to speak of, it was a very pleasant walk. I did not see anyone and the only sounds I heard were the birds.
Distance: 22.6 kms.
Time: 6'25"
Ascent: 570 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Stony Point Trail and Bakers Creek Trail junction

End of the trail southern end Bakers Creek Trail

On Bakers Creek Trail

Bakers Creek Trail

Small Lake

Small Lake

Stony Creek Trail

Raminea Plains

Monday 31st March 2014

Esperance River

The aim of today's exercise was to explore the Raminea Plains area and Esperance River and to follow an abandoned railway line. As it turned out, it did not all go to plan. I had intended to start the walk just off Adamsons Road, but I had also heard from somewhere that there was a locked gate on this road. This was the case, and just off the highway too, so I wasn't going to walk the 4.7 kms. to where I wanted to start. I drove back to Esperance River Road and followed this until I came to an old abandoned side road and parked here.
I set off, and after covering about 1 km. on an old overgrown track, I came to the Esperance River. I had to search up and down the river to try and find a decent place to cross.

Crossing the Esperance

I eventually found a good place and managed to get across without falling in or getting wet boots. I was quite surprised by the river as it was rather a picturesque little stream.
Now the fun started. I was trying to find the old railway, but all I could find was scrub, and after bashing through it for sometime, I did locate what appeared to be where the line had been. The only way I knew this is because there were a couple of cuttings carved out of the earth. It was so overgrown that it was difficult to tell it apart from the surrounding bush. I persevered for some time but it got the better of me so I opted to head out to the plains where I hoped for better conditions. This proved to be the case, as once I battled through some thick scrub I came to the open plains.

Adamsons Peak and Mesa from Raminea Plains

The views of the surrounding mountains from here were amazing - much better than I had anticipated. I came across an old track that I was expecting to find and walked along this for about 1 km. before it disappeared into thick scrub and became too difficult to bash through. At this stage I decided to abandon any further sorties and retraced my steps, with a few variations, back to the car. It was not a favourite walk due to the scrub bashing but the river and the views from the plain were good.


Distance: 6.3 kms.
Time: 3'45"
Ascent: 100 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Esperance River

Esperance River

Esperance River

Hartz Mountains from Raminea Plains

Esperance Peak from Raminea Plains

Little Lagoon Beach

Sunday 23rd March 2014

Little Lagoon Beach from Eliza Point

The last time I attempted to walk to Little Lagoon Beach I was defeated by the wet and muddy conditions, but this time I made it easily, as it was quite dry.
I started at South Cape Spur 1 just before the locked gate, but this time I decided to ride my bike to the second locked gate, which saves about 3 kms. of road walking. I reached the gate in no time and after stashing the bike in the bush, I set off walking. It was much better walking today, not having to try and dodge all the waterholes. After following the track for some time I crested a small rise where some restoration work had taken place and decided on taking a slightly different track than last time. This proved to be a good idea as it was relatively easy walking.

Black Swan Lagoon

After some time the track climbed a small rise and at the top is where the views began. Black Swan Lagoon, Little Lagoon Beach, Fishers Point and Sullivan Point were all clearly visible. The beach looked spectacular and I was looking forward to walking along it. The track descended to the dunes and followed along the top of the dunes before ending at the beach. I walked along the beach in a south westerly direction to where the lagoon met the sea. There was no flow of water out of the lagoon and I would suspect that this happens rarely or not at all. I continued on down the beach to Sullivan Point, and curiosity got the better of me, so I had to walk out along the rocks to the point to see what I could see. Here were good views of Recherche Bay and Catamaran etc. I then walked back to the beach and had morning tea.

Sullivan Point

There were hundreds of small dead fish washed up on the beach. There did not appear to be anything wrong with them, apart from being dead that is. I think they were leatherjackets, but I am no expert. I then walked back along the beach towards Eliza Point. The weather was great and even though there was a north westerly wind blowing, the beach was protected. After about 2.5 kms. I reached the point and found an old track heading inland. It was very overgrown near the beach with head high bracken fern but this didn't last long and it soon became easy walking. The track went inland for a time before heading down to the point. This looked like a good spot for lunch so this is where I stopped for a while. After lunch I walked back up hill and turned right to see where this track led.

Eliza Point.

As it turned out, the track led down to a lovely little secluded and sheltered bay and I immediately thought that it would be a great camping spot.
I headed back and turned right at a junction in the track to walk back to the outward track.
This section proved to be the most overgrown section of the walk but generally it was not too bad to follow except for a couple of sections near the outward leg. I had to scrub bash a little sometimes picking up the track and then losing it again. I made it back to the outward track and walked back to the locked gate. As I was approaching it I came across 3 guys on dirt bikes and had a chat with them. After retrieving my bike I cycled back to the car, being passed rather quickly by the 3 bikes.
This was a great walk and I enjoyed it immensely and it was great walking on the beach where there were no other footprints but mine.
Distance: 21.5 kms. (15.5 kms. walking and 6.0 kms. bike)
Time: 5'10"
Ascent: 340 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Fishers Point

Black Swan Lagoon meets the beach

Eliza Point

Black Swan Lagoon

Black Swan Lagoon

Dead Fish(Leatherjacket?)

Sullivan Point

Starfish

Eliza Point

Secluded camping spot

Snug Tiers

Friday 14th March 2014

Wettest section of track

The plan for this walk was to reach a line of cliffs that overlook the Woodbridge area and then to climb up Morrison Hill to the rocky outcrop on the summit, both of these locations being in the Snug Tiers area.
I drove up to the place where I normally park the car in Van Morey Road. The last 2 kms. is gradually deteriorating and is now 4WD territory. I could have driven further on but I don't mind the walking. After kitting up, I set off at 0750 walking along the road which was quite dry. The last time I was up this way I walked to Cataract Falls and the track had been so wet that I had to walk through water a lot of the time. At 1.7 kms. from the start I turned left at a junction and walked along the track for a couple of kms. before heading east to where I would hopefully find an old track that would lead me to the cliff line.

Burnt section of plain

As it turned out, I did find the road, but it didn't matter as the area had been burnt and it was possible to walk anywhere. I followed the track for a short while but it petered out so I just walked across the plain in the general direction of the cliffs and soon came across them. I was pleasantly surprised as they were quite high and the views were better than I expected. After spending some time walking along the top of the cliffs I headed back to the main track and started walking back west towards the turnoff to Morrison Hill. This track was very overgrown but it was heading in the right direction, so I kept going until it ran out and then I had to take to the scrub. This is where the fun started, or not.

Cliff Line

The scrub was very high and consisted of cutting grass and bauera and progress was very slow. I battled on and finally the scrub thinned out and was replaced with thin trees growing so close together it was difficult to get through. I then started going steeply uphill and finally came to a sheer wall near the summit. There was no way up so I skirted around to the left and eventually found a way up and reached the summit. Morrison Hill is 755 metres high but only about 130 metres above the surrounding countryside, but it sure was an effort to get there. However, the views were quite good, also better than I expected, and I spent some time here and had lunch.

Morrison Hill

I wasn't looking forward to the scrub bash again, but it had to be done, so I headed off and did come across the remnants of an old road, but it was no easier walking along it as it was so overgrown. Anyway, I finally broke out of the scrub, much to my relief, and walked back to the car. Overall this was a good walk despite the scrub bashing.
Distance: 14.3 Kms.
Time: 6'20"
Ascent: 380 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Looking south east from cliffs

Looking south west from cliffs

Cliff line

Cliff line

Looking east from burnt plain

From Morrison Hill

From Morrison Hill

Grey Mountain from Morrison Hill

From Morrison Hill