Jordan River-Pontville 2018

Today is a rare grade one walk along the Jordan River and around Pontville with a bit of Brighton included.

The weather isn't promising, but not bad enough to cancel so we set off, heading north.

On arrival we park behind the Memorial Hall, next to the football ground. It's overcast, but not too bad as we head off.

For a short but interesting history of Pontville, CLICK HERE

Leaving the cars and heading back to the main road

St. Matthew's Church

Nice wide path - if you like concrete

We're heading south past the old Brighton Army Camp or Brighton Barracks, established around 1826 and used for training Australian Soldiers for both World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam War among others. Sold to a mainland developer by the state government of the day back in 2003 - and it wasn't a popular decision.

Entrance to Brighton Barracks today

On we go, still heading south. Just past the above entrance we turn left into Jordan Downs Drive, heading towards River Court and a right hand turn.

Jordan Downs Drive

At the end of River Court is a footpath leading to Jubilee Avenue and suburbia.

The path

Suburbia ahead

 We head left, towards the Jordan River

That hill is on the other side of the Jordan River

Looking at the map, that is the start of the Meehan Range of hills which run down the eastern shore of the River Derwent, and contains a number of our walks.

We begin to see some of the older homes mixed in with the new.

Older homes. One looks likes it may have been a shop

Right next to the river, and at the start of the river walk is the cottage pictured below. I remember it as mostly a ruin many years ago.

Start of the river walk

The last time we walked here, the river was dry

It's an easy walk, and except for a short distance at the beginning and end, is hard surface.

Rear of another old house

Renovations have started, the satellite dish is installed

Every flowering plant thinks Spring is here

Looking back

Plenty of weather about

Morning Tea

This little shelter is at the other end of the walk, near Ford Road.

Tea finished, we move on. As we reach the road to crossover and turn left, a number of cars cause us to wait. This attracts the local birdlife who are obviously used to getting fed, causing a mini traffic jam.

When they realize we're not to give them anything, the road clears and the cars continue on their way.

Northern end of the walking track

Greedy, unfed ducks and geese

I don't think they'll starve. Ford Road used to be a ford where you drove through the river, now it's a low bridge.

On we go, heading towards Brighton Road where we turn right for a short distance, cross over and start on the bike track.

Another older home, built from local stone

Pontville with it's colonial buildings and convict built bridge

We turn off here to follow the bike track

This used to be ruin, not sure what's happening with it now

It's on the site of the original quarry where the stone for the bridge and many buildings came from.

The track with the river below on our right

Colonial houses

Jordan River with introduced willow trees

Take two photos and they disappear in the distance

Steep, rocky hillside opposide

Localized weather event in the distance

It took me about 1km to catchup

Older homestead in the distance, below the hills

We reach the end of the track which takes us up to Hartley Court.

The track ends just up the hill

Mildly interested locals

We've some sprinkles of rain and the cloud cover is looking ominous as we make our way towards a lunch spot.

Bob takes us on a large loop of the outer streets before entering Racecourse Road and turning off into a public area. Here we make our way around the outside of the track, heading for the stands on the opposite side.

Brighton Racecourse

Lunch

We find convenient seating and settle down for lunch. Unfortunately, the weather has other ideas and it begins to rain. Enough so that even I pull out some wet weather gear and we move back under the overhang of the grandstand roof.

After lunch we begin to make our way back to the cars, but by a convoluted route to get the kilometres up. Still raining, so I don't bother with any more photos. Particularly as some of the route back is on the same riverside path.

We had 12 walkers and covered 15.44km in 4.0hrs. I hit a personal best of almost 6kmh in catching up after taking photos.

A good walk with a lack of hills which is made up by fast walking and a good distance travelled.


Click here to download GPX file

Geilston Bay to Rocky Tom 2018

Today we're off to climb Rocky Tom, led by Bob.

The weather forecast is a bit iffy, but, in a continuation of our good luck recently, turns out fine.

We park off Geilston Creek Road in Geilston Bay and set off.

Setting off

The wattles are out and add colour to the walk

We follow the track and road with the creek on our left and houses on our right until we reach the sign at the entrance to the reserve.

The entrance to the reserve

The reserve is about 162 hectares in the Middle Meehan Range on Hobart's eastern shore.

Around, over or through?

Through

Once past the barrier, we set off following one of the many tracks in the area.

Someone spots the camera and they all adopt an expression of enjoyment

We just crossed this little stone bridge

It wasn't here the last time we walked the area. Nice job of construction.

The builders even recycled something they found in the area

At first sight of the above, I thought the bridge was adjustable. 

More recycling

It's about now that we leave the safety of the track and set off into the scrub. We're heading towards Faggs Gully.

Looking back

We make our way down, over the gully and up the other side

This brings us to a fire trail that needs a bit of attention. We start uphill now, heading towards Rocky Tom.

There are a couple of views available behind us.

Wayne spots the yellow of some earth moving equipment just off to our left. If this is what is being used to repair the fire trail, it may take awhile.

How and why this was left way up here is a mystery

Shortly after spotting the toy, we head left onto the track to the bottom of Rocky Tom.

Leaving the main trail

Looking back

Waiting for everyone to regroup

We can either head to a way up in that direction, or take another which is behind me. We settle for the one behind me. If you're really keen, you can climb up the face.

Looking down from the top

A gentle walk takes us to our Morning Tea spot

This is on a large rock shelf providing a good view for our break.

Risdon Vale in the distance

Morning Tea

The is a breeze blowing towards the cliff edge, so we keep well back. The seating is also more comfortable back there.

Mendelt and Lorna brave the breeze for a photo opportunity

I don't bother with a break and have a wander around the general area.

One spot gives a view of the distant Tasman Bridge in Hobart

Looks like someone's comfortable shelter

Rocky Tom lives up to its name

Found some tiny fungus

Two subjects in one shot. Fungus and native scat (on the piece of bark)

Slightly larger fungus

After lunch, we set off to follow a fire trail down, taking us below our Morning Tea spot.

Lots of wattle

Looking back

Blue sky, white cloud and yellow wattle

Morning Tea was up there

We make our way around and climb up to Seager Saddle, heading for lunch.

As we walk along a fire trail, enjoying the sunshine, I look down and spot some industrial archeology, just lying there.

On the surface of the track, it looks hand forged to me

I called it a staple, but of course, it's usually known as a 'dog'

 Going to the font of all wisdom, the Internet, I found a book on old tools. I'm not so sure about ancient, but these are old.

If you really want to know how these were used, read the second paragraph below.

Of course, I'm pretty sure there were no water powered sawmills up here, but a steam mill is possible.

The educational section is now over, and I catch up with the rest of the party for lunch.

Lunch will be down there, in the distance

Lunch

After lunch, we have a look around and find the usual, although this time it's signposted.

If you can't read it, it says:"Lamburghine". Can't make out the second except it ends in "Tzu". I think both are fairly optimistic

Spot the Lamburghine

Leaving all that behind, we start downhill on a rough track.

Bob leading the way...

...while the others follow

It's not long before we turn-off onto a bike track, still heading down.

Always on the lookout for something different, I nearly cause an accident when I stop suddenly for the fungus below. Mendelt had to do some fancy footwork to avoid a collision.

I've got the book, but I've not found this in it as yet.

We squeeze past a gentleman walking up the track and continue our way back to the cars.

The track

A good walk with a couple of nice hills thrown in. Bob also took us on some new sections, which was good.

We had 17 walkers and covered 9.23km in 3:53hrs. The weather was perfect for walking and there are many tracks left to explore.