Cray Point

Thursday 24th August 2017

Cray Point from Echo Sugarloaf

I wanted to do some walking around Cray Point and Randalls Bay area but knew it was only a short walk so I decided to throw in Echo Sugarloaf as well to make it a worth while walk.
I parked on the Channel Highway between Deep Bay and Garden Island Creek just opposite the quarry. Apparently access used to be via the quarry but as it is now working that is no longer possible. I walked down the road looking for a way into the Echo Sugarloaf Reserve. I eventually scrambled up the steep slippery bank beside the road and then over the boundary fence and into the reserve and then uphill to the ridge line. I came across a newly cut track which I understand is maintained by the Friends of Randalls Bay Coastcare Group. This track went to the trig point on Echo Sugarloaf.

Echo Sugarloaf

Echo Sugarloaf

Echo Sugarloaf

Echo Sugarloaf Trig

After the trig I followed a faint pad across the ridge before descending to the other access point for the reserve in Williams Road, Randalls Bay. From here it was down the road and then onto the beach at Randalls Bay. There was not another person in sight and I did not see anyone else for the entire walk. There was no wind at all and the water was like glass.

Randalls Bay

Randalls Bay

Randalls Bay Beach and Echo Sugarloaf

Headland western end Randalls Bay

Once I reached the western end of Randalls Bay I followed the old tramway track until I could not go any further before walking back and taking the track to Mickeys Beach. Along the tramway track there were a couple of sandstone formations.

I walked out to the headland at Randalls Bay and then along the track to Mickeys Beach which is a nice secluded little beach.

At the Headland

Cray Point

Mickeys Beach

Mickeys Beach

After Mickeys Beach I continued on along the coastal track until it more or less ran out just as I was approaching Cray Point. There did not seem to be any way ahead but a scrub bash so I retreated back to a track down to a small beach and thought I might be able to get around the rocks on the beach. This was not possible either because the tide was in so I climbed back up and headed back to Randalls Bay.

Small beach and end of the line

I headed back into Echo Sugarloaf Reserve and chose a slightly different route up to the top. It really does not matter which route is used as it is all open forest and good walking. Once at the summit I followed the track back towards the quarry where I found a much easier way back down to the road and car.
This was an interesting and enjoyable walk on a perfect day.
Distance: 11.2 kms.
Time: 4'11'
Ascent: 500 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Mount Hull

Saturday 19th August 2017

Summit Cairn Mount Hull

I decided to walk to Mount Hull today and opted to start from the Glenlusk area. I parked on the very sharp bend on Collinsvale Road where the Zig Zag Fire Trail starts.
I set off up the fire trail, zigging and zagging as I went up higher.

Collins Cap from fire trail

Glenlusk area

Soon I reached the top of the climb and a light dusting of snow was evident beside the fire trail.

Zig Zag Trail

East West Trail

I carried on along the East West Fire Trail to the base of Mount Hull where I made a right turn along a disused trail before beginning the ascent of Mount Hull. There was some scrub but nothing too bad. I was aiming for Leamans Knob which is a large rock up towards the summit or just before it starts to level out, really.

Scrub on the ascent

After some scrambling I came upon the Knob. Underneath is a cave which can be walked through...not really a cave but a space between the rocks.

Leamans Knob

"Cave"

Leamans Knob

Leamans Knob

From the Knob the country flattened out as I neared the summit and the snow increased as I went further south across Mount Hull and began the descent.

There was much more snow on the southern side as expected and I had to watch my footing when going down. There were a few views through the trees.

Collins Bonnet through the trees

Descent

Once I reached the East West Trail at the bottom of the descent, I carried on south for a short distance and then headed up to the summit of the small hill next to Mount Hull. From here were good views of snow capped mountains.

Mount Wellington

Collins Bonnet

Collins Cap

Once satisfied with my escapade I simply returned to the East West Trail and walked back along it and the Zig Zag Trail to the car.
This was an excellent walk in some cool conditions with nice snow capped mountain scenery. Parts of the walk are offtrack.
Distance: 11.7 kms.
Time: 4'55"
Ascent: 610 metres
Click here to download GPX file.

Garretts Bight

Sunday 13th August 2017

Garretts Bight

I took a couple of friends on a short walk to Garretts Bight today. The walk starts off Narrows Road out from Strathblane on the south east coast. The track was quite wet from recent rains and the rope descent to the beach was very slippery, so much so, that we had to find an alternate route down for one of the party. This proved to be a better alternative. On the way we detoured into The Pines.

The track

At The Pines

At The Pines

At The Pines

Rope descent to beach

Once down on the rocks we continued on around the coast to get a view of Garretts Bight. Because of the cool temperature and wet rocks it was rather slippery so we did not venture the whole way to Garretts Bight, but could plainly see it.

Scott Point

South Bruny and Bruny Islands

Looking South

Looking South

Looking South

We scrambled up on the headland which is almost an island and watched some waves breaking on the rocks before returning back to Scott Point and then walked back to the car.
An interesting short walk on a lovely winter's day.
Distance: 7.3 kms.
Time: 3'35"
Ascent: 313 metres
Click here to download GPX file.