Dolomieu Point

Saturday 8th April 2017

Dolomieu Point

Unfortunately for us, Forestry had been doing fuel reductions burns over a wide area in the south and the sky was fairly smoky, which made some of the photos a bit hazy, but it was still a good walk. It is 6 years since I last did this walk. How time flies.
The walk starts at Fortescue Bay and to get there just head down towards Port Arthur and take the obvious turnoff a few kms. past Taranna. The gravel road is severely potholed but is 2WD.
We set off along the beach and soon left it on to the track.

Fortescue Bay

Fortescue Bay

Fortescue Bay with Dolomieu Point in the distance

Fortescue Bay

It was easy walking and we soon found a nice rocky outcrop to stop for morning tea.

From rest stop

From rest stop

It did not take long before we arrived at Canoe Bay where there is the wreck of the William Pitt.
The William Pitt
About halfway along the track you will come to Canoe Bay, where the remains of a shipwreck can be clearly seen above the waterline. Built in the UK in 1904, the ship was a steam hopper barge named Andre Reboulas,  later sold to the Dutch.
In 1907 she was renamed William Pitt and sold in Melbourne. She came to Hobart in 1940 for use in the construction of the floating Arch Bridge across the Derwent River. She was later scuttled in 1955 to act as a breakwater for small craft in Canoe Bay.

William Pitt

Canoe Bay

Cape Hauy from Canoe Bay

William Pitt

 There is a quaint suspension bridge to cross which used to have a sign on either end displaying the carrying capacity of the bridge, but they have been removed. It used to be 1 person with backpack.
 After this there was a climb up and then a descent into Bivouac Bay where there is a camping ground and toilet. The camping ground was unoccupied.

Track between Canoe and Bivouac Bays

Bivouac Bay

After Bivouac Bay there was a bit of a climb up to Dolomieu Point where there are great views from the high cliffs. We went to the lookout rocks and then down to where the rock climbers go over the edge where we had lunch.

Thumbs Point from lookout

From lookout

Thumbs Point

Coastal Cliffs

After lunch we headed back and started to encounter a few people as we went along. As we were getting closer to Fortescue Bay we met a group of scouts heading up to camp at Bivouac Bay.

A smoky Cape Hauy

Northern end Fortescue Bay

This is a really good walk with fantastic coastal scenery. Of course there is the option of only walking to Canoe or Bivouac Bays but then the grandeur of the sea cliffs will be missed.
Distance: 12.9 kms.
Time: 4'54" (3'45" when I did it solo 6 years ago)
Ascent: 560 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Dolomieu Point

Saturday 17th May 2014

The Lanterns, Totem Pole and Cape Hauy from around Thumbs Point

I had walked to Dolomieu Point a few years ago from Fortescue Bay but I had not walked the section of the Tasman Coastal Trail between Tatnells Hill and Dolomieu Point before. I decided to start from Balts Road as I had also not done that section up to Tatnells Hill either. Why not combine the two, I thought, so that is exactly what I did.
To reach the Balts Road starting point, drive just past Taranna and turn into Camp road. Follow this for 2 kms. and turn into Balts Road which is followed for 1.3 kms. to a junction. Go straight ahead for 2 kms. to a small parking area. This last couple of kilometres is 4WD only but not too bad.

Looking north from Tatnells Hill

I set off about 0800 and the first 1.5 kms. was on an old forestry track which went downhill to meet a walking track up to Tatnells Hill. This track was quite overgrown and obviously gets little use. Even though it was overgrown, it was not too hard to follow with the occasional marker here and there. After about an hour from setting off I reached the top of Tatnells Hill and walked down to the junction with the Tasman Coastal trail. From Tatnells Hill to Dolomieu Point was basically downhill all the way with a few minor ups and downs. Of course, this meant that it was going to be all uphill on the way back, which I must admit, I am not that keen on later in the day. I would much rather do any uphill early on.

Looking towards Cape Hauy from Tasman Coastal Trail

The trail down to Thumbs Point was in good condition and very easy to follow. There were only fleeting glimpses of the coastal scenery at a few spots but the walking was enjoyable with the forest varying from rainforest to more open forest. From Thombs Point to Dolomieu Point the track mostly followed along the top of the cliff line with spectacular views from the many lookout spots along the way. I reached Dolomieu Point just over 3 hous from setting off and had lunch at the same place as i did a few years ago, overlooking the great scenery.

An example of the Tasman Coastal Trail

After lunch it was time to head back. The climb back up turned out to be a bit of a slog but I eventually made it back to the car just before 1500. It took me 3'40" to get back. I was quite glad to eventually arrive. All up quite a good walk with great coastal scenery to enjoy.
Distance: 20.7 kms.
Time: 7'00"
Ascent: 1030 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Thumbs Point

Looking north from Thumbs Point

Thumbs Point

Looking south towards Cape Hauy

Thumbs Point

Looking south towards Fortescue Bay

Looking north from Dolomieu Point

130 metres to the sea below

To walk to Dolomieu Point from Fortescue Bay start at the Fortescue Bay day use area(National Parks Pass required) and walk up the beach in a northerly direction to the track at the end of the beach. The track then goes past Canoe Bay and Bivouac Bay before a short climb to Dolomieu Point. A good walk.
Distance: 12.4 kms.
Time: 3'45"
Ascent: 560 metres

Click here to download GPX track from Fortescue Bay.