Cape Deslacs and Beyond 2019

The first walk for Term One of 2019 is taking us around and about Cape Deslacs. At least this time we're spared freezing, horizontal rain. It's a mild day, but there is a smoke layer from bushfires that have been burning in the south of Tasmania for many weeks.

We travel to Clifton Beach, parking off Bicheno Street in a parking area for the nature reserve.

Quite a few of us today and welcome to the new walkers joining us

We head along the sandy track towards the beach, passing a couple of returning surfers along the way.

Top of the dune overlooking the beach

A few surfers, but not much of a surf

Cape Deslacs is out of sight to our left

 You'll notice we head to our right. If there is one thing I've learned from Bob, is take every chance to add a bit of distance to our walks. So away from the Cape we go.

Heading towards Watsons Hill and the Surf Club

We can see quite a few heads in the distant water. This is a popular place for adults and school children learning how to surf, and it looks busy today.

Student surfers, and a house with a view

We had to pass through Hobart and the traffic was horrendous, making us a bit late for our start. This means that Morning Tea is very close. Usually we have it in front of the Surf Club, but the tables are covered with school bags.

There is a nearby small park however, and this offers several empty tables for Morning Tea.

Morning Tea

The rest of us were scattered around, but the main action is above as you can see.

Tea finished, we head towards a track way running between houses, heading towards Bicheno Street. Crossing, we start up the shell beach of Pipe Clay Lagoon. We're beginning to head in the right direction now.

Pipe Clay Lagoon

Looking back

Pipe Clay Lagoon is the home of several oyster leases and packing sheds.

Looking towards Mt. Wellington, but it's obscured by smoke haze

Bicheno Street is running parallel on our right and we walk until we reach the road leading into the car park. Here we cross, walking to turn off onto a sandy track leading towards the cape.

Starting up the track

It's very pleasant bush to walk through

This track is shown as closed on the map. I don't think so.

Soon we reach the top and the chance to look back at Cape Deslacs. We're not going there yet, but heading left to walk along the cliff top.

The track suddenly opens to this view

We'll come back to this sign later, now we head left along the cliffs. Coming to a fence we, cross using the stile. This area is a public area.

Looking down...

...and back. That's Cape Contrariety in the distance

Some of the rock formations below us have some interesting features.

Such as a window

On we go, passing some locals lounging in the shade.

Lounging locals. In the form of sheep

We head on, crossing a couple more stiles. I made a hash of one, good thing I have the only cameras!

Too bad about the smoke, this would be a great view

We've walked here before and after a certain distance the fence turned down to the cliff, cutting off any further travel. That seems to have changed now, so leaving the others to have lunch, Bob and I decide to explore farther.

The fence now continues straight ahead, heading down before turning left to follow above the coast line. This appears to continue as public land, but where does it lead?

Looking back. We've turned a corner in the distance

We reach a point where the fence disappears into some trees and decide that this is far enough for today. A decision is reached to alter the walk at a time in the future to explore this section farther.

For now, we return to the others enjoying their lunch with a view.

Bob with the trees in the distance

Looking at a map, this would lead us to Pipe Clay Head, if it goes all the way. That is opposite Cremorne, where we have another walk coming from Lauderdale.

Lunch finished, we start back towards Deslacs.

Getting near to the spot where we came up this morning, I get a call to photograph a skate swimming along the shore below. Unfortunately I don't have a polarized filter for the camera so this is as good as it gets.

The skate wasn't the only interesting sea life swimming below, have a look at the photo below.

Strange sea life spotted near Cape Deslacs

There is a very rough track that leads down from the top, and one of our overheated group took advantage of it.

On we go. We don't walk out onto the cape as it's covered with sandy burrows, home to the nesting short-tailed shearwater. And sometimes, tiger snakes.

Instead we head for the lookout above Clifton Beach before heading back to the cars.

Shearwater burrows

The lookout

I believe there used to be a farm here in the dim past

Back to the cars

We had 18 walkers and covered 10.47km in 3:46hrs. A pleasant walk.

I should say that Bob and I covered that distance. Those who were enjoying lunch while we toiled on your behalf, didn't!

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