Sandy Point

Sunday 16th September 2012

Looking towards Sandy Point from walk start

The starting point is at the Seven Mile Beach car park off Pittwater Road.
I set off and was immediately on the beach and walking east. It was about 6.5 kms. to the tip of Sandy Point and the walking was very easy on hard sand. There were many shells on the beach at the point and I had good views of Frederick Henry Bay, Dodges Ferry and Lewisham.

Looking towards Midway Point after rounding Sandy Point

After rounding the point I had good views towards Midway Point and Pittwater and I was now on Five Mile Beach. There were dunes all along this side of the point, and as the tide was not fully out, I had to take to an inland track in places to avoid all the trees that have fallen into the water, to avoid getting wet feet. I continued on along to an exit point at the Five Mile Beach Recreation Area. I then walked back to the car via Pittwater Road and a trail through the bush.
A nice flat walk with good coastal views.
Distance:18.3 kms.
Time: 4'13"
Ascent: 100 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Looking south west along Seven Mile Beach

Looking out to sea from Seven Mile Beach

Dunes on Five Mile Beach

Five Mile Beach

Collins Cap

Wednesday 5th September 2012

Looking west from Collins Cap summit

The walk start is at the Myrtle Forest car park near Collinsvale.
I started off at just after 0900 which is pretty late for me as I usually like to start early. The weather was good and it looked like a good day coming up. The first part of the walk was along the road to the Myrtle Forest Shelter and then up the track beside Myrtle Forest Creek to the Collins Cap Fire Trail. Soon I was on to the Collins Cap track which climbed steadily all the way to the summit.

Collins Bonnet

Trestle Mountain

There were great views from the summit of Collins Cap including some snow capped mountains out to the west. It was rather windy at the top and I had to take shelter to have a snack.

From Summit

From Summit

Trestle Mountain from Summit

Collins Bonnet from Summit

Mount Wellington from Summit

I had also decided to walk to Glen Dhu Rivulet just to make the walk worthwhile. I descended off Collins Cap via the track I had used to walk up and when I reached the Glen Dhu Fire Trail I turned right and walked along this track. The track started off okay but soon became somewhat overgrown, although still easy to follow. The track went downhill for 2.4 kms. to a point where there was some tape on the left. This proved to be the right spot as I followed the tape down to the Rivulet.

Glen Dhu Rivulet

Glen Dhu Rivulet

There was some flow in the Rivulet but I didn't hang around too long as I knew I had a substantial climb back up to the Collins Cap Trail. It was a slow climb back up and I was quite exhausted by the time I reached the top but I knew it was all downhill from here. I got back to the car okay, but quite tired.
It was a good walk with great views, but I don't like that uphill later in the day.
Distance: 12.2 kms.
Time: 5'22"
Ascent: 1046 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

South Arm

Friday 31st August 2012

Near start of walk

Drive down South Arm Road through Opossum Bay to the end of the road where there is a small parking area. The walk is basically around the coastline to Gellibrand Point and back via the opposite coastline. The walk can be done in either direction. I chose to walk clockwise and set out on a clearly define track.

Start of the track

I aimed for the TV tower that I could see in the distance and once I had reached that I just followed the coastline around before descending to Mary Ann Bay and walking along the beach. At the end I climbed back up and continued on to Gellibrand Vault which is the burial site of William Gellibrand who was the original grantee at South Arm. The area has been rehabilitated. Along this section of coastline are good views of Mount Wellington and Taroona where the shot tower is visible.

TV Tower

Gellibrand Vault

I continued on around Gellibrand Point where I stopped for lunch at a good viewing spot. After lunch I kept walking, past a small lagoon and on to The Spit. I walked out to the end of The Spit, but have since found out that walking out there is discouraged as it is a sensitive bird breeding area, so should be avoided. Onward I went and found an old vehicle track which I walked to Shelly Beach. I walked along the beach to an obvious exit on to a track and walked back to the car.
This is a good short walk that is close to Hobart and is quite flat and easy.
Distance: 7.0 kms.
Time: 2'00"
Ascent: 155 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Looking back to Opossum Bay

Mount Wellington and Taroona

Looking north to Gellibrand Point

Mary Ann Bay

Looking north to Gellibrand Point

Gellibrand Vault

Near Gellibrand Point

Near Gellibrand Point

Small lagoon on Gellibrand Point

The Spit

Grasstree Hill

Thursday 23rd August 2012

Grasstree Hill Cairn

The walk starts at Risdon Brook Reservoir car park.
It was a glorious day and I set off at 0830, walking around the eastern side of the reservoir and just past the bay I headed up an old track in a north easterly direction. The track went uphill reasonably steeply and I just followed this and other tracks plus I did some cross country hiking to a cairn on Grasstree Hill summit.

Risdon Brook Reservoir

There were views once I got higher up.

View from up high

View from up high

There was not much at the summit except for the cairn so I headed off north east and picked up a vehicle track and when I came to a junction, being the inquisitive type I decided to see what was down the right fork.
It went steeply downhill, so not wanting to have to walk too far back uphill, I did not venture too far, but did arrive at a point which provided good views to the east. After climbing back up I took the left fork and just followed my nose back to the reservoir, sometimes on old tracks and sometimes across country. It was easy walking. When I reached the dam I walked around the western side for a bit of variety, across the dam wall and back to the car, thus completing a circuit.
This was a good walk with some views.
Distance: 14.7 kms.
Time: 4'38"
Ascent: 750 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

Local Wildlife

Shelter of some kind

Risdon Brook Reservoir

Risdon Brook Reservoir

Risdon Brook Reservoir

Collins Bonnet

Wednesday 25th July 2012

Collins Bonnet from Collins Bonnet track

Collins Bonnet can be accessed from a few different directions, but I think starting from Big Bend provides the best scenery.
To get to the start drive up Mount Wellington to just past Big Bend and park in the large car park. There is a small car park nearer Big Bend but I like to use the large one.
I started off just after 0800 on a magnificent winters day and walked down to the Big Bend trail and downhill for about 2.1 kms. to the Collins Bonnet track on the left, along this for about 400 metres and turned right heading towards Collins Bonnet.

Collins Bonnet from Mount Connection

The track went downhill for a short period before gently climbing up to Mount Connection where there were great views all around. The track then descended to the East West fire trail and after following this for about 800 metres I found the marked ascent track to the summit. The track climb up to the summit via boulders and was clearly marked with poles. At the top was a trig marker and superb views. After lunch I retraced my steps back to the car.
This is a great walk with magnificent scenery on a good day.
Distance: 15.0 kms
Time: 5'10"
Ascent: 780 metres
Click here to download GPX track.

From Mount Connection

From Mount Connection

From Mount Connection

Collins Bonnet Summit

Mount Wellington from Collins Bonnet

Trestle Mountain from Collins Bonnet

From Collins Bonnet

Collins Bonnet Summit

Towards the Huon from Collins Bonnet