Three Bridges Walk 2018

Today was a substitute walk for Randalls Bay which we'll do another time. Carol guided us on this circuit back in 2014.

Parking at the car park just past the main entrance to the Botanical Gardens, we set off to the back entrance to the gardens. Entering here, we head towards another exit off the Domain Highway.

Taking our lives in our hands, we manage to navigate the morning traffic and cross to the bike lane heading into Hobart. We follow this under the Tasman Bridge ramp, walking up the access to the southern walkway on the bridge.

Now, to back track a little, I had checked the weather for the day about 6a.m. and it said it would be fine - in Woodbridge. When I checked Hobart's weather, it said strong winds. I thought "How bad could it be?" and decided we'd not change. Plus I had no idea of another walk.

You will find only one photo  taken actually on the bridge as keeping my balance in the wind, especially near the top was a priority. It was a strong breeze.

Heading up

Passing one walker and three workmen, we finally reach the other side of the River Derwent. Here we continue on until there is a gap where we turn off into Riawena Road, walking down to and turning left on Loinah Road which leads us to the second bridge, a foot bridge just below Rose Bay High School.

Not nearly as windy here, we cross safely.

Over the Tasman Highway

Tasman Bridge. Looks very peaceful from here

On the other side, we turn right then left heading up towards the Gordons Hill Fitness Track. Reaching the track, we find a convenient spot with seating for Morning Tea.

Morning Tea

The fitness track

Old gum

Break finished, we head along the track which will take us around the back of Gordons Hill. On the way, we have a short but steep climb which had completely escaped my memory from four years ago. But it's enough to get the chatter level down. Slightly.

On we go, rounding the other side and coming in view of Lindisfarne and its marina.

Top of mentioned climb and back of the houses.

Lindisfarne

Marina with Selfs Point and its fuel tanks in the distance

Back in 2014, we didn't go to the top of Gordons Hill, which is something I wanted to do today. I'd been looking for a track leading up to the top when Peter, who was at the front, stopped and pointed out what we wanted. So, up we go.

Heading for the top

Looking back

A nice little hill with a junction of a couple of tracks on top. We turn right and head for the top, meeting a gentleman and his Doberman having a walk.

It was a bit of a disappointment that views weren't better. The top is bare and stony and about the only gap provided a nice view of the fuel storage tanks at Selfs Point.

Top of Gordons Hill Nature Recreation Area

Only view. Selfs Point

We start down again. I had the idea of making another loop, but as the tracks seemed not to be in the location I thought they should be, I decided we would just continue to the entrance off Cornwall Street, next to the high school.

I've seen this clumping of leaves in other natives. I wonder if it's caused by an insect

Spotted on the way down, its mates ran off and left him/her to deal with us on her/his own

 There were quite a few wallaby and pademelon running around up here. Local gardens must supply them with every need.

Exiting the reserve, we continue down Kaoota Street, turning into Cyrus Crescent at the end of which is a path which takes us to the third bridge, a pedestrian one over the East Derwent Highway.

The third bridge just ahead

Over the bridge and down Yolla Street to the bike path at the bottom where we head left towards the Tasman Bridge which soon looms over us.

 The bike track continues on but we turn left next to the bridge, up to the access for the northern walkway. Now the adventure begins!

The wind on the way over was just a gentle breeze compared to what it is now. I had to keep one hand on the railing just to try to steady myself. My pack acted as a sail which didn't help. It became worse as we climbed. When you walked past an equipment box that blocked the wind for a second, you staggered sideways. On the way we passed a couple of student types who were pushing their bike over to the eastern shore. You're welcome to it, girls. You didn't look very comfortable.

One thing that struck us was the noise and vibration generated by the wind on the bridge. It sounded so like machinery, I actually looked carefully when we left the bridge to see if there were any workmen on it. A very loud, almost grinding sound all the way over. Just as if someone was cleaning off old paint.

You miss all that excitement driving over in your cars.

Finally, we reached the other side and made our way back to the Botanical Gardens for lunch. It was another world over here, calm and quiet.

We sat around the floral clock for lunch before making our way out the main entrance of the gardens, back to the cars.

I haven't been in the gardens for a long while

There are several new plantings and above is one. These are Wollemia pines. A tree (actually not a pine) that was only known from fossils up to two million years old, until it was discovered growing in remote rainforest in New South Wales in 1994.

Now there are many distributed around Australia to be grown in public gardens. Even little Woodbridge where I live has one.

We had 11 walkers and covered 11.4km in 3:38 hours. Next time, I'll have some extensions!

Click here to download GPX file