Tuesday 19 March we are going South, as far south as we can drive…to Cockle Creek in the Southwest NP. There are 4 free camps down here and we chose the 4th (Bolten Green Campground) in the NP, there was no camping fee but we do have to have a Vehicle Parks Pass, which we do.
We had two beautiful days here so we used them to do some walks. We parked the car and walked along the road to the whale sculpture,
a reminder of the amount of whaling that was done here in 1850’s and now the waters are a bit of a sanctuary for the whales and where they start their journey north. Then it was a 2hr walk return to Fishers Point and the ruins of the Pilots Station. On the start of the path into the bush we come across a black snake sunning himself and he quickly slid off into the bush….he/she was about 3ft long. Most of the walk was along the beach and over rocks,
I was quite please with myself getting there and back as rock hopping has been something I have not been able to do for a long time; at our destination we found our resting spot with a bit of telly, haha.
Back at camp, and my legs were a little tired to say the least. At dusk all the animals came out for a feed, little wallabies everywhere and they came near us to a couple of tire tracks full of water for a drink.
We had two beautiful days here so we used them to do some walks. We parked the car and walked along the road to the whale sculpture,
a reminder of the amount of whaling that was done here in 1850’s and now the waters are a bit of a sanctuary for the whales and where they start their journey north. Then it was a 2hr walk return to Fishers Point and the ruins of the Pilots Station. On the start of the path into the bush we come across a black snake sunning himself and he quickly slid off into the bush….he/she was about 3ft long. Most of the walk was along the beach and over rocks,
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| We had to get around the point |
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| Some of the walk was along the beach |
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| some through the bush |
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| This was the last bit and the hardest ...for me |
I was quite please with myself getting there and back as rock hopping has been something I have not been able to do for a long time; at our destination we found our resting spot with a bit of telly, haha.
Back at camp, and my legs were a little tired to say the least. At dusk all the animals came out for a feed, little wallabies everywhere and they came near us to a couple of tire tracks full of water for a drink.
Wednesday was another beautiful day and there was another walk close by that went to the most southern point on foot so we took on the challenge, 7.7km one way, 4 hr return, grade 3. I figured we could do that after my big effort yesterday. We had to sign the register book and clean and disinfect our boots
and then about 20mins into the bush, another black snake….
and then about 20mins into the bush, another black snake….
About half way along the track, walking through the grassy plains, Steve starts backing up towards me and …. another black snake…this one was about 5ft long (maybe a tiger snake).
I have seen more wild snakes since I’ve been in Tasmania than in my whole life time. We had to wait as the snake decided to have a little rest stop on the track and we finally tapped the boards with my hiking stick and he/she quickly jumped up the bank and off into the grass. Well, after 2 1/2hours we came out onto the coast at South Cape Bay on top of the South Cape Cliffs,
and this is where turn around: but first we sat and had lunch and enjoyed the view; and looking out, there was nothing but ocean between us and Antarctica….amazing! The walk can go on for days but we believe that we had got to the most southern point by foot and now…crap…we had to go all the way back!!! Needless to say we made it but the last hour just about killed me (but I only fell over once) and it took my leg a good day to recover. Steve and I were both very tired after our big walk, it took us 5 hours, Steve decided to have a very, very, very refreshing swim in the bay, sticking my feet in for a cool down was enough for me, we were even too tired to cook dinner…I think we had banana lollies, cup of tea, some cold chicken and Steve had his two last beers.
I have seen more wild snakes since I’ve been in Tasmania than in my whole life time. We had to wait as the snake decided to have a little rest stop on the track and we finally tapped the boards with my hiking stick and he/she quickly jumped up the bank and off into the grass. Well, after 2 1/2hours we came out onto the coast at South Cape Bay on top of the South Cape Cliffs,
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| Antarctica is out there somewhere |
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| big surf on this part of Tassie |
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| Rest and lunch...I thought this was a seat but it is part of the walking boards over the coal |
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| This is some of the last of the track before the coastal cliffs |
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| We made it...Sandy Cape Cliffs |
and this is where turn around: but first we sat and had lunch and enjoyed the view; and looking out, there was nothing but ocean between us and Antarctica….amazing! The walk can go on for days but we believe that we had got to the most southern point by foot and now…crap…we had to go all the way back!!! Needless to say we made it but the last hour just about killed me (but I only fell over once) and it took my leg a good day to recover. Steve and I were both very tired after our big walk, it took us 5 hours, Steve decided to have a very, very, very refreshing swim in the bay, sticking my feet in for a cool down was enough for me, we were even too tired to cook dinner…I think we had banana lollies, cup of tea, some cold chicken and Steve had his two last beers.
Thursday we woke to a drizzling wet day so it was pack up and off, a stop at the Ida Bay railway but just for a cup of tea and cake didn’t want to wait an hour for the next train ride but we were keen to go to Hasting Caves and the thermal springs.
We had 40mins before the tour so we went to have a look at the spring and do the 30min walk in the rain, of course, and in the creek bed we saw a platypus, what a bonus. Hasting Cave is an underground dolomite cave, the usual stalactite and stalicmites but impressive all the same. Then down to change and a few laps of the thermal spring and a hot shower after then over to the roaring fire in the picnic area. Tonight we stayed in the campground in Gordon, $5/night, with flushing toilets…Wow. We had some calm (weather) time so I cooked up apricot chicken and rice and we even got to sit and enjoy the water view.
Soon after the wind picked up and it was jump into the van time and pull down the hatch.
Nighty-night.
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| this is part of the floor of the cave |
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| place to relax and warm up |
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| The thermal pool |
We had 40mins before the tour so we went to have a look at the spring and do the 30min walk in the rain, of course, and in the creek bed we saw a platypus, what a bonus. Hasting Cave is an underground dolomite cave, the usual stalactite and stalicmites but impressive all the same. Then down to change and a few laps of the thermal spring and a hot shower after then over to the roaring fire in the picnic area. Tonight we stayed in the campground in Gordon, $5/night, with flushing toilets…Wow. We had some calm (weather) time so I cooked up apricot chicken and rice and we even got to sit and enjoy the water view.
Soon after the wind picked up and it was jump into the van time and pull down the hatch.
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