Tranmere Coastal Walk 2017

We're a bit late starting today due to an accident on the Southern Outlet. It was clear by the time we left Kingston, but it delayed the usual morning traffic build up until we were heading into Hobart.

I haven't heard about any injuries among the three cars involved, so we continue on to enjoy what is turning out to be a beautiful day.

We park at the river end of Wentworth Ave. As we were gearing up Carol made the mistake of saying she had been on the route not long ago. I made an immediate executive decision and appointed her as walk leader!

Off we go, heading away from the water, turning into Gunyah Street confusing some of our walkers. This is a cul-de-sac and I remember taking a path between two houses on a previous walk (I actually checked this out before parking this morning).

Going this way makes a small loop at the start, just to add some interest.

Soon we reach the Charles Darwin Trail, following it for a short while before descending to Howrah Beach.

Howrah Beach. More people (and dogs) than we usually see

Looking past Second Bluff towards Mt. Wellington and Hobart

Our destination is near the end of that far point, below Droughty Hill

One of several Northern Pacific Seastars on the beach. An introduced species, probably from ships ballast water, they eat almost everything

Nothing seems to affect them very much and no one has found a use for them yet.

CLICK HERE to read how difficult it is to get rid of them. I bet you didn't know they have 10 testes did you?

Slow but sure method of eradicating the Seastar

Turning off just before the end of Howrah Beach

We make our way through the suburb, heading for a couple of the small parks before returning to the shoreline.

Looking back. A closer look will reveal the light towers of Bellerive Oval

We're heading through Minerva Park, however we don't see a sign until we cross Minerva Street.

We stop here for Morning Tea, having driven all the children away

I noticed as we were leaving Geoff was hanging back. Just caught him in time as he ends his slide!

Enjoying the beautiful morning

Cutting between houses we make our way back to the water.

Right of way

Don't know what this is. It was a vine and appeared to have yellow flowers

Back to the water

The others are way ahead at the moment

We continue along, passing new and old houses and some locals on the shore.

Wing drying time

Down town Hobart, what we really need are some absurdly tall tower blocks  to obstruct the view

New track, many new houses

Looking south

We walk past a new construction (not the prettiest building, looks like a remand centre) before I realize I'm under surveillance.

"I've got my eye on you, mate!"

  Moving quickly on, I catch up with the others just in time to make an yet another executive decision re the lunch spot. Pindos Park was a consideration which would involve turning back. Plus there is a cool breeze coming off the water, so I elect to have lunch among the trees. It's not cold and I found a nice comfortable spot for my seat.

Original homestead

Almost looks like bush

Alum Cliffs near Kingston

 

Lunch

Lunch finished, we make our way back.

Photo by Carol

On our way back, a pod of dolphins is spotted. Unfortunately, every time I got the camera out, they dived. Still for any fans of dolphins fins, have a look below.

Dolphin fin

Multiple dolphin fins

There was some discussion about how long a dolphin can stay under water. Seems, depending on species, it can be 10-15 minutes. How deep? A U.S. Navy trained Bottlenose went to 300 metres. Most stay above 2 metres.

Over our excitement, we continue on

Howrah Point

Looking back

A good walk that made up in distance what it lacked in elevation. We had 17 walkers and Carol did a masterful job of leading us and keeping us in line.

We covered 14.95km (Carol registered 14.7km, probably because Bob insisted I take a different route back to the cars, so the group split in two). The walk lasted 4:22hrs.

Click here to download GPX file

By Carol