Another QBW club walk led after having two days break from walking in Hobart at the Mayfair Motel on Cavell. Whilst in Hobart Sue and I saw Avatar in 3D. This was a great movie to see between two excellent walks. Our previous walk in the Central Highlands from Walls of Jerusalem to Lake St Clair including the Labyrinth was sadly behind us but I have vowed to return.
Anyway we left Hobart on January 6th from Cambridge airport in a small plane that could take 7 passengers with their hiking gear. The ride was beautiful and went between the Western Portal of the Arthur Ranges and Luckman's Lead on the way to Melaleuca. All those massive chunks of old growth forest clear felling just continues incessantly until the plane passes the Picton Valley. The ride was smooth and we landed got our fuel supplies and after an hour or so the pilot took us to Schooner Cove. We had to get into wet weather gear as Bathurst Harbour was really rough and the boat planed over a very choppy estuary.
Anyway we left Hobart on January 6th from Cambridge airport in a small plane that could take 7 passengers with their hiking gear. The ride was beautiful and went between the Western Portal of the Arthur Ranges and Luckman's Lead on the way to Melaleuca. All those massive chunks of old growth forest clear felling just continues incessantly until the plane passes the Picton Valley. The ride was smooth and we landed got our fuel supplies and after an hour or so the pilot took us to Schooner Cove. We had to get into wet weather gear as Bathurst Harbour was really rough and the boat planed over a very choppy estuary.
At Schooner Cove we admired the campsite but pushed on with the assurances from myself that there was a better one coming and we could have our tents pitched for two nights. After a half hour ascent in the rain, the sun came out and the sunscreen went on. We cleared a low saddle and then picked a path to Hannant Inlet around the north most creek outlet (on the north side of this). Not knowing what to expect with the wading, we were surprised at the low tide and sandy beaches we could follow for at least 1 km - this was very pleasant walking.
Unfortunately the sand ended at a rocky point and boots were swapped for our wading shoes. Mostly the wading was ankle deep but we noticed that the beaches were a little more muddy the further south we went. The only serious wade was getting past Hannant Ck but we picked a good route to keep our packs dry. There were many black swans to see and we think that all the nutrient from black swan crap may be the reason for the strawberry algal type bloom we had to walk through as we neared the other end of the lagoon. It looked like rhubarb strudel squishing between the toes and had the consistency of pudding as well. Some of the party had camp shoes on that kept getting sucked off by the mud and so took their chances in bare feet instead without any concerns.
A bearing was made from the east side of the lagoon where we could see the closest point to sand dunes. There was however some significant navigating and exploitation of wombat tracks where we could find them to make our way to these sand dunes. When we did reach them the way was clear and we passed some very impressive and ancient aboriginal middens at Stephens Bay.
Our lovely campsite was reached at the north end of Stephens bay. Each of us had our own area to camp. Nice when camp sites offer personal space. Each of us had a view of the beautiful bay.
The second day was spent leisurely exploring Spain Bay which is connected to Stephen's Bay by a surprisingly seemingly well used trail. It was too cool for a swim but we did lie around for a while until the temptation to climb Going Hill was too much to resist. Most of us ascended this lovely 213 m hill with stunning 360 degree views. Wombat trails in the button grass plains are taken advantage of to make the going easier. Next time QBW comes here Sunset Hill should be explored - does it live up to its name sake?
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