Hiking South East Tasmania

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Middle Hill

Wednesday 12th July 2017

Middle Hill

Middle Hill is a small hill just off the White Timber Trail and is almost directly north of Huonville. Access to the start is up Judds Creek Road from Judbury and then east along the White Timber Trail. As it is only a short walk I added some extra distance by including a loop via Ice Brook and the Jefferys Track.
The drive out was quite icy and Judds Creek Road was full of the usual pot holes and ponds. I set off in an easterly direction for 2.3 kms. before leaving the trail and heading into the bush. I wanted to walk along the top of the cliff line that leads up to Middle Hill. The ground was frosty and quite slippery in places.

Almost Full Moon

Frosty White Timber Trail

Icy 4WD ruts on White Timber Trail

The bush was not too thick and once I neared the cliff edge it opened up more. There were some good views of valley fog. I walked along the top of the cliffs and then started the descent towards the valley below.

North from Middle Hill

Middle Hill Summit

White Timber Mountain

The descent was quite easy and not very scrubby at all and I eventually found an old track which I followed for a short distance before taking to the scrub and walking down a gully and creek to meet up with the track that runs beside the Lachlan River. The scrub was a bit thicker in places but once I reached the track it was easy going. There was some nice forest in this area with lots of ferns.

Some Scree on the descent

Descent


Headwaters Lachlan River

I followed the track along the Lachlan River and then another one along beside Ice Brook until it met the Jefferys Track where I had lunch. From here I walked back to the car via the Jefferys Track and the White Timber Trail. The Jefferys Track was in its usual condition of muddy, boggy, water filled ruts caused by 4WDs. There is talk of improving the condition of this track and it is certainly needed, although the four wheel drivers probably like it like this. There was still plenty of ice along the White Timber Trail at 2 oclock in the afternoon and it was still quite cold. The temperature was between 2 and 4 degrees for much of the walk.

Track along Lachlan River

Some nice forest

Jefferys Track

White Timber Trail

This was quite a good walk but the section along the Jefferys Track was the usual disappointment due to the muddy conditions.
Distance: 15.5 kms.
Time: 6'24"
Ascent: 570 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Monday, 26 June 2017

Pot Bay

Monday 26th June 2017

Pot Bay

We started today's walk at the beach end of Algona Street at South Arm. The first 2.5 kms. was along the beach where the tide was on the way in and there was a cool breeze blowing but it was pleasant walking on the hard sand.

South Arm Beach and Halfmoon Bay

At the end of the beach we left the beach and walked along the Blessington Track before descending to the rocks and walking along them for a while before regaining the track once again.

Mount Wellington

Tinderbox

We soon rounded Johns Point and descended to Fort Beach where we started to see the Fort Direction Military Site. This beach was also easy walking.

Fort Beach

Fort Beach and Johns Point

Cape Deliverance and Tinderbox

At the end of Fort Beach we entered the Fort Direction site and inspected the Lone Pine Memorial before walking down to the beach on Pot Bay, and then to the end of the beach and along the rocks for a short distance. This was our destination.

Lone Pine Memorial

Iron Pot

On Cape Direction

We walked back to the car, staying on the track this time and once back at South Arm we walked along the track that follows South Arm Road for a bit of variation.

Cape Deliverance

Tinderbox

Johns Point and Mount Wellington

This was a good easy walk with some nice coastal scenery.
Distance: 13.1 kms.
Time: 3'28"
Ascent: 150 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Friday, 23 June 2017

Cape Raoul

Friday 23rd June 2017

Cape Raoul

I did not intend to do a post for this walk as I have done it a few times before, but because the track has been upgraded and rerouted in a few places I will include a few photos. The upgrade is in conjunction with the construction of the Three Capes Track and much of it has been completed, although there is still some way to go. Personally, I preferred it the way it was as a bush track and not the almost gravel road it will become, but that is progress, I suppose.