Bluff River Gorge 2017

Today it's supposed to be hot with a temperature of around 31C in Hobart. We were tempted to change the walk today to one on Mt. Wellington where the forecast is for 20C, but decided to stick to the plan and walk at Bluff River Gorge, about 1.5 hours north east of Kingston.

Off we set and it's been sometime since I've been out this way. I'm impressed with the new road. Well, new to me. We catch up in Buckland and I take the lead to the parking area off Buckland Road at the start of the track.

Seems we weren't the only ones getting away today as there were four cars already parked there.

Gear up and start along the sandy track.

The sandy track runs beside a fence

Sheep and cattle country

It's not densely populated out here, but it's only a short while before we meet a local on the track.

Local out for a stroll

Wayne lends his foot for scale

Eastern blue-tongued lizard or
Tiliqua scincoides scincoides

I think the expression in its eye says "Bugger off!" so we do.

Next some orchids are spotted, much to Bobs delight!

Moving on, we look for a place for Morning Tea. I should say that at this point the temperature was only about 19C.

Comfortable spot for our break

Afterwards, Bob discovers a side track which we explore. It leads nowhere so we turn back and continue through the bush.

The track

Walking beside a small gully, rock outcrops start to appear on the other side

Through the bracken...

...and over the logs

The first colour begins to appear

As we continue, the cliffs above become more apparent.

The track isn't bad as it winds through the bush. There is a steep slope on our right, though.

The track

Peter takes in the view across the gorge

It isn't all easy going, you know

Sometimes we have to duck our heads.

I thought I'd try a small panorama photo

It becomes more impressive as we go, so I'll just post some photos of the fantastic shapes and colours below.

View to the other side

Much of the track is sandy

I didn't get a chance to check out that black feature. Next time

As we go, the cliffs become even more impressive when we get a chance to look up.

Looking down toward the river

The other side

The track

There are tracks on the other side, also

Later, just after lunch we hear voices and after a while someone shouts across having spotted us. A good sized group are walking over there and we exchange waves.

Still can't see the bottom

Time to regroup

The drop to our right becomes very interesting as we walk along a loose, sandy surface which has collapsed in places.

We look quite small here

No one was tempted to slide down the side

There were some signs of wildlife as we walked. Some wombat poo and what appeared to be, Tasmanian Devil scat complete with bone and fur. Also a few interesting holes including one with a drag mark leading in.

Lizard in one of the caves

On we go, getting through some tricky places. I had trouble getting through here due to my pack, and ended up leaving some skin behind.

Not my personal favourite

The carvings under the cliffs are incredible

Feature on the other side

There are some interesting forms inside some of the caves, such as the two below.

Crude Tasmanian Tiger or dog, or a fish as Wayne saw it

About a 2 metre long bench, not very comfortable looking

When I first glimpsed this, it looked like a sheet of corrugated iron in the sand

Soon we come to some evidence that some engineering students have been here before us. They've left us this interesting little bridge.

Propped from below with timber in similar condition, Everyone was very careful to keep to the inside

On we go, heading down to find a spot for lunch.

Water ahead and a very nice lunch location

There is some water in this section of the river

 I have a look at another track that seems to follow the river, but it doesn't go anywhere.

Track to nowhere

Lunch spot

If you look carefully at the ground you can see old netting. There were some old ropes on the trees etc. From what I've read, this was the site of a 'cash crop' operation sometime in the past. They were keen to try growing it in here.

You can never be sure what's lurking in the bush

While we had lunch, Bob had gone exploring the track to see where it led. I met him as he returned and it was decided that, due to the time, we would return the way we had come. We'll be faster on the way back as I will not be taking any more photos, so I was told.

 We certainly covered ground and made our way back to our entry point, where I did take a photo.

Climbing out of the gorge and finding our way to the sandy track leading back to the cars

We had 10 walkers and covered 7.06km in 3:56hrs. Not a long walk but one full of ups, downs and overs to make up for it.

A very pretty place and not like anything else I've seen on our walks. Thanks to Bob for taking us there.

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