Monk Bay Circuit

Wednesday 25th January 2017

Monk Bay

 Today was meant to be a repeat of the walk done in 2015 but circumstances necessitated a slight change of plans towards the final stage of the walk.
We started at the Coal Mines site on the Tasman Peninsula near Saltwater River and headed off to Plunkett Point, bypassing the ruins, as we intended to check them out on the return.

Plunkett Point

Plunkett Point

Ironstone Point

Cottage at Plunkett Point

Cottage at Plunkett Point

 After Plunkett Point we continued on to the fire break where I almost missed the track turnoff. the track from here to Ironstone Point is becoming overgrown and appears to receive little use but it is still reasonably easy to follow. We stopped at Ironstone Point for a short break before continuing on around Monk Bay. It was a perfect day.

Monk Bay

Monk Bay

Monk Bay

Nameless Point

After Monk Bay we carried on past Nameless Point and Whitehouse Point before finding a shady spot for lunch. The colour of the water all along the coast here is terrific and it changes as the walk goes around the coastline.

From Whitehouse Point

Ironstone Point

From Whitehouse Point

Nameless Point

Whitehouse Point

After lunch we walked on to Lime Bay and just as we approached the turnoff to the old vehicle track, one of my companions tripped on a sapling stump that someone had cut off at just a height to cause a serious hazard. Why people do this I do not know, but I see it quite often in my travels. Anyway she did a good face plant and injured her nose and knee and tried to carry on but was in pain. I suggested that we walk to Lime Bay, which was not far, and I would walk back along the road to get the car. This we did. It was a hot, dry and dusty walk back along the road but it only took an hour and I was back at Lime Bay to collect them. By that time my companion had recovered somewhat from the shock and was glad to be heading home. We did not bother to check out the ruins at The Coal Mines site. Another day, perhaps
This is a great walk with really beautiful scenery.

Monk Bay Circuit

Wednesday 11th March 2015

Monk Bay

Some friends accompanied me today down to the Tasman Peninsula to do a circuit walk including Monk Bay. The walk starts at the Coal Mines site in the Lime Bay Reserve on the most northern section of the Tasman Peninsula.
We set off from the Coal Mines parking area and walked down to the coast where the ruins are situated. As my friends had not been here before, I suggested that we complete the walk first and check out the ruins on our return.

Plunkett Point

Plunkett Point

Iron Stone Point

Ruins at Plunkett Point

We walked along the coast to Plunkett Point where there are some ruins and then followed the track to a fire trail where we again headed to the coast where there is a small isolated beach which is very nice. We stopped for a short break before walking back up the fire trail to the track once more. This was followed to Ironstone Point where it crossed Ironstone Point to end up at Monk Bay. The water was quite calm and very clear. A great sight.

Monk Bay

Ironstone Point

We walked along the cliff tops for a short while before descending to the beach at Monk Bay and then walked along the beach until we could not go any further. We then climbed back up to the track which followed the cliffs around to an obvious point. We walked out to the end of this point where there were many birds.

From Nameless Point

North from Nameless Point

Nameless Point

Whitehouse Point

From the point the track went around to Whitehouse Point, and as we rounded the point we ran into a strong wind coming from the north west. It was completely different to the eastern side where it had been quite calm.

Looking towards Green Head

Lime Bay

Looking back towards Whithouse Point

 The track carried on to Lime Bay where we picked up an overgrown track and began the return. We found a log to sit on for lunch but we immediately overrun with mosquitoes. Consequently we did not linger too long and set off once again. As I was walking along the track I had a close encounter with a tiger snake. Luckily it quickly slithered off into the scrub.
Now, I had intended to walk up to Mount Stewart through the scrub but the snake incident had put one of my companions off that idea. We just carried on along the track back to the Coal Mines area where we had a look at the ruins. My friends are interested to return to the area to have a good look. A couple of hours are required to properly inspect the site, alone.
This is a great walk with fantastic coastal scenery as well as the historical ruins.
Distance: 14.6 kms.
Time: 4'30"
Ascent: 320 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Coal Mines Ruins

Coal Mines Ruins

Coal Mines Cell