Montrose to Cadburys 2018

 Today we're parking at the DEC (Derwent Entertainment Centre), walking to the Cadbury Chocolate Factory and return.

It's supposed to be a warm day, but not as warm as last time when it was in the 30C range.

We park and set off around Elwick Bay using the multi purpose track.

The final destination

Mona is our first stop

We cross the water on the raised walkways, as it's around 0930 in the morning, there are a few people, cycling, walking, running on the track.

Looking across the River Derwent we can see Mount Direction. It wasn't very long ago when we were up there. Today's walk is a bit flatter.

Mount Direction across the river

It doesn't take long to make some distance

Particularly at the rate we set off. I have to slow us down a bit as we're going on a 15km round trip.

The track loops through Montrose High School to run parallel with the Brooker Highway. Today will have some hard surface walking on footpaths.

Through Montrose High School

We're heading to Berriedale Bay so we follow the track onto Strathhaven Drive which becomes Main Road Berriedale.

I was going to call this street walking, but I think pavement pounding might be better

We're heading to the entry to MONA - Museum of Old and New Art. It's not long before we turn in, walking past the vineyard on our left.

Part way up the drive, I call a halt as a resident is crossing the road into the vines. Unfortunately, it's slow progress as it appears to have a sore foot so we wait patiently. It disappears between the grapes to join a companion who was waiting for it's friend. Guinea Fowl, of course.

Building is going on for a hotel, so the actual museum is closed. Never mind, we just want to use their grounds for Morning Tea.

We find the table we used last time and, ignored by the multitude of staff, settle down for Morning Tea.

Morning Tea

While we were there, other tourists turned up and walked around with a puzzled look.

I walked around and found a spot where I could see the Bowen Bridge

Tea finished, we head away from the museum, through the parking lots towards Cameron Bay where we pick up a track along the shore.

We're heading for the old Treasure Island Caravan Park. This has been bought by the owner of MONA, David Walsh, who has plans for budget accommodation. David used to stay in the old caravan park as a kid.

For more information about this development, including why it's called HOBO, CLICK HERE

Leaving MONA

The old caravan park, nothing's changed

The last time we had apricots from a tree that was growing here

The tree is still here, but we're too late for the fruit, so we head into the Berriedale Reserve.

Here we follow the track past the Australian War Dogs Memorial. There are posts with lists of dogs and a private seating area on the river. 

The track through Berriedale Reserve

Sign for the Australian War Dogs Memorial

At the end of the reserve, we leave the track, heading for one that leads around Lowestoft Bay.

This is a dirt track around McCarthys Point, between properties and the water.

Now we're roughing it

It looks a long way back (the white building is the DEC)

But we have a way to go.

Lots of ducks around the foreshore

Looking across to Otago

We walk around Conneware Bay on the Windermere Track, which takes us into the reserve on Knights Point, which we walk around.

The all important glimpse of Mt. Wellington

Cadburys Chocolate Factory across Windermere Bay

We head around the foreshore track along through the reserve until we're stopped by Faulkners Rivulet. Some hop across on some stones, others follow me up, across and down the old bridge.

Probably convict built in the nineteenth century and still in use

Now we head around towards the factory, taking an old road along the bay.

Near the factory we find a comfortable spot for lunch.

Lunch

The Factory. It used to smell like chocolate around here. No more

I won't go into the history of the factory, but it is interesting so CLICK HERE if you want to know more.

Lunch finished, we head via another track, retracing our steps for most of the way, but not all.

Careful photography makes it look rugged

The destination

We're reaching the raised walkways around Elwick Bay

We noticed some funny looking things floating in the water at the start, but I didn't pay much attention to them.

Strange looking buoys

The flat blue one appears to have solar cells on top

This large, previously unnoticed sign explains. Art! I should have known. No, I didn't send a text.

Back to the cars

We had 9 walkers and covered 15.66km in 4:37hrs on a pleasant day. I'd rather be walking in the bush, but this walk isn't too bad.

 Click here to download GPX file