Mount Dromedary

Saturday 11th October 2014

I had previously walked to Mount Dromedary a couple of years ago, and on that occasion had walked up to the peak on the western approach. See Here. This time we decided to find the track that went up from the south.
The walk starts at the end of Braslins Road in the Magra/Black Hills area. There is a small parking area here.
We walked up the road and around the locked gate and gradually climbed uphill to the junction -  Platform Peak left and Mount Dromedary right. We turned right and walked around the north side of Little Marsh. The track was a little wet in places but nothing major. There was lots of evidence of timber cutting in the area and many living trees had been felled and just left there. There was also heaps of rubbish beside the track which was most disappointing.

When we reached the start of the western track, it was very hard to discern as the markers had been removed. We carried on along the road in a southerly direction until we reached the point where the track should have been. We did find it but there were no tapes for quite a while so I suspect that they had been removed also. For what reason, I do not know. The track was generally easy to follow and was not overly steep and we reached the eastern lookout after about an hour of climbing. I had not been to this lookout before and I think it provides better scenery than the actual summit. After soaking in the views we took the short walk to the summit where we had lunch.

After a good break we walked back down the way we had ascended and walked around the southern side of Little Marsh back to the car.

This is an enjoyable walk with great scenery at the top of the mount. We walked at quite a leisurely pace today so the walk could obviously be completed much faster.

Distance: 18.0 kms.
Time: 6'40"
Ascent: 700 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Overlooking the Derwent from eastern lookout

From eastern lookout

Overlooking the Derwent from eastern lookout

Looking towards New Norfolk from eastern lookout

Mount Wellington from eastern lookout

Summit Trig

Davis Lookout

Friday 3rd October 2014

Davis Lookout from hill before

I had not been to Davis Lookout before, so with the promise of good weather, I left home early and arrived at the walk start ready to go at 0800. The unsealed section of road up to Mount Field was in poor condition with lots of corrugations that wanted to shake the car to pieces, so I just had to go slowly. The walk starts at the upper Mount Field East car park, adjacent to Lake Fenton.

Lake Fenton

The track initially crossed over the outlet of Lake Fenton which supplies drinking water to Hobart and then climbed steadily before descending slightly to Windy Moor. There was low cloud in the distance but I was hopeful that it would lift later on. This proved to be the case as it turned into a perfect spring day. As I descended to Windy Moor I thought I could see Davis Lookout in the distance but this later proved to be the hill before it. Mount Field East was also clearly visible.

Mount Field East from the track

As soon as I reached Windy Moor I turned left and headed off track across the moor towards Davis Lookout. The ground underfoot was soft and uneven which slowed progress somewhat. There were also many water filled puddles and ponds and some small flowing streams. There were some animals pads to follow in various places. I presume they were made by wombats as there was plenty of dung around.

Small stream on Windy Moor

I headed towards a wooded section which turned out to be much easier walking. After crossing this it was back on the moor like country again before crossing another wooded area. I then walked across more low country before finally reaching the start of the final ascent section. I climbed up to one summit to discover that Davis Lookout was actually the next peak along. I almost stepped on a small tiger snake here. After a short descent and ascent I was standing on the top. There were spectacular views all around and I could hear the Davis River roaring in the valley below.

Summit Cairn Davis Lookout

After soaking in the views and an early lunch I headed back the way I had come. I did managed to step in a few waterholes on the way back as I became tired from constantly having to lift my feet in the soft terrain. I was quite pleased to be finally back on the track. It was then an easy walk back to the car.
This was an excellent walk with great views.
Distance: 12.6 kms.
Time: 6'00"
Ascent: 435 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Rodway Range from hill before lookout

Rodway Range from hill before lookout

Mount Field East from hill before lookout

Rodway Range from Davis Lookout

Rodway Range from Davis Lookout

Rodway Range from Davis Lookout

North West from Davis Lookout

Looking back across Windy Moor from Davis Lookout

Davis River from Davis Lookout

South Cape Bay

Saturday 27th September 2014

South Cape Bay

The road down to Cockle Creek was the usual maze of potholes on the gravel section between Ida Bay and Cockle Creek. A new bridge has recently been constructed over Cockle Creek which meant we could drive to the normal car park at the start of the walk.

We set off at 0815 on the track which alternates between a board walk and normal track. The track is easy to follow and is fairly level with only slight undulations. The sign states 4 hours return and it took us about 2 hours to be standing on the beach. A new set of stone steps has been constructed to provide access to the beach since I was last here in 2011. We had the place to our selves, which was very pleasant. The day was perfect, with very little wind. We walked along the beach and found a convenient log to stop for a snack.

We were going to continue walking along to South Cape Rivulet, but I had my doubts about the track over Coal Bluff. Last time I was here this section of track was quite wet and muddy. However, we did start off on this track, but after about 1.0 km. the track became very boggy. I figured that we would run out of time if we continued on, as progress was slow. We walked back to the point were the track first arrives at the top of the cliffs and had lunch.

After a good break we walked back to the car.

This is a great and easy walk with spectacular coastal scenery.

There is a map and GPX file on the South Cape Rivulet walk here.

South East Cape

South Cape

South Cape and Lion Rock

The cliffs where the track arrives at the top

On South Cape Bay beach

Small surf rolling in

Lion Rock

South Cape Bay from Coal Bluff

Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers

The Weld - Short Walks

Saturday 20th September 2014

Junction of Huon and Weld Rivers - Weld enters on the right

A friend had suggested that they would like to see some of the Weld area. I had previously done a little walking in the lower reaches of the Weld so I put together a few short walks so we go experience some different aspects of the area. The walks planned were to the junction of the Huon and Weld Rivers, Fletchers Eddy, Reubens Falls and lastly to the giant trees(Centurion and Triarius), which are more in the Arve area.
We drove out from Judbury and onto Weld Road and Eddy Road to a 4WD track on the left.

4WD track

Over the last few days we had received some rain so I was expecting that there would be some water lying around and also some mud. Both of these proved to be true. We set off along the track and, after dodging puddles and mud we soon reached the junction of the Huon and Weld Rivers. It was a little hard to get a good view of the junction as it was obscured by vegetation somewhat. Both rivers were flowing particularly strongly. We headed back and reached the car in no time.
Distance: 2.4 kms.
Time: 45"
Ascent: 72 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Huon and Weld junction.

Fletchers Eddy

I had to break out a couple of towels to place on the car floor to protect it from muddy boots, as we didn't want to have to take them off each time. Little did I know how useful that would prove. We drove  about 2.2 kms. further up the road to Eric Pettets Road on the right and found a convenient parking spot and commenced our walk to Fletchers Eddy.
Initially the track went downhill to Barnback Creek. It was quite muddy and slippery and when we reached the creek there was no other option but to walk through the water. Once on the other side is where it became interesting, as 4WDs had recently been through here and churned it up massively. My friend managed to step in some mud and sink quite a lot thinking it was solid ground. After dodging mud and water we eventually made it to Fletchers Eddy. The Weld was flowing strongly and it presented a beautiful picture. It is indeed a lovely spot. We had a snack and returned to the car. As we were walking up the last rise I managed to slip over in the mud and my friend ended up sinking once again which resulted in particularly muddy boots this time.

How is this for a muddy good time

Distance: 4.4 kms.
Time: 1'45"
Ascent: 130 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Fletchers Eddy.

Fletchers Eddy

Fletchers Eddy

Fletchers Eddy

Huon and Weld junction plus Fletchers Eddy

The towels definitely came in handy this time. We drove just down the road to the bridge over the Weld and stopped for a look.

The Weld from the bridge

Impressive engineering

The Weld from bridge

From here we drove on up to Glovers Bluff to overlook Fletchers Eddy and the Weld valley and then on to Reubens Falls. South Weld Road now finishes here as the crossing over Isabella Creek has been washed away. The road used to continue on further to provide access to Mount Weld. We walked along the creek on a rain forest type track to Reubens Falls. The track was easy to follow and the falls were really flowing well.
Distance: 2.8 kms.
Time: 1'20"
Ascent: 140 metres
Click here to download GPX file for Reubens Falls.

This was the road crossing over Isabella Creek

Isabella Creek

Reubens Falls Track

Reubens Falls

Reubens Falls

It was then on to the Giant trees which are more near the Arve area really, but adjacent to the Weld.We drove along Southwood Road across the Huon River and stopped at the bridge for a look see.

Huon River

Huon River

It was then on to Edwards Link Road and a selection of forestry roads and then a disused track to the starting point of the walk. Along the way we spied a wombat casually walking along the road, which was a real treat. We set off walking, and, much to my surprise we were following a well taped track. I had been expecting a scrub bash, so was it was easy going. The track went uphill through beautiful mossy rain forest country to the trees location. There are 2 trees, Centurion and Triarius. Both are Eucalyptus Regans - Swamp Gum. Centurion is 99.6 metres tall and is the tallest Eucalypt, tallest hardwood and tallest flowering plant in the world, so it is something special. It is supposed to be 500 years old. There are also some other tall specimens around as well. we returned to the car well satisfied with our exploits of the day.
Distance: 1.4 kms.
Time: 50"
Ascent: 107 metres
Obviously the photos below don't do the trees justice as they were absolutely massive. It gave one a special feeling to think that these giants have now been preserved for the rest of there lives.

Triarius

Centurion

Triarius

Two Giants together

Giant trees