Waterfall Bay 2019

 Today we're on a walk introduced to us by Lyn & Brian back in 2016. Unfortunately they aren't able to be with us today as I believe they feel grandchildren are more important than the walking group.

At least now we know where we stand.

It's Easter holidays but the traffic isn't too bad as we drive to our start. I've made a change for this walk in that we're starting from the Blowhole parking area. Peter arrived first and managed to save a space next to his car where I parked. Our other car had to backtrack to find a place to park.

It's been many a year since I've been down here and I couldn't get over the number of vehicles and boat trailers parked on both sides of the road  and in the allocated parking area.

Walking  back towards Doo Town I look for the start of a track leading up to the Tasman Arch feature, which is where we started last time.

I had checked maps of the area and Google Earth to find these tracks. Back last century Val and I walked from the Blowhole to the Arch on a track, but the area wasn't nearly as developed as it is now as regarding tourists.

I found the start at a gate beside the road. We walked up past a water hole to the Tasman Arch with only one small navigation error.

I was delighted to find Bob had not been on either of the new tracks (on return to the cars we take another track from the Arch). You don't often catch him out like that.

The weather was good and the tracks easy as we start.

Ready to set off

Onto the new track towards Tasman Arch

It's a fire trail. That's the water hole we passed

A fuel reduction burn has taken place here which explains the burned bush

These burns are conducted to reduce the chance of major bushfires and the trees will (usually) quickly recover.

After a slight detour, we take the track out to our first lookout. Along with a number of tourists.

Cape Huay and the Lanterns in the distance

 We walk back to have a look at Tasman Arch, but from the side, you really can't see much except that it's deep.

Tasman Arch (down there somewhere)

The tourists have a better view

We, however, have places to go and head to the next lookout at Devils Kitchen.

Typical track at this point

You can read about Devils Kitchen, but we have more important things to do i.e. find a spot for Morning Tea.

Morning Tea beside the Tasman Coastal Trail

Our surroundings

More lookouts as we go but soon we leave them behind.

Looking down

Larger view of Cape Huay with the Lanterns and the Candlestick between Cape Huay and Mitre Rock

Hyppolyte Rocks

About 6km or so offshore, it's a popular spot for Blue fin tuna fishing.

Possibly a tourist boat, certainly not a fishing boat

On we go, heading to the parking area at the end of Waterfall Bay road.

Looking up, we catch views of Clemes Peak and Lichen Hill.

Clemes Peak

Possible new walk, anyone feeling game? I'm told the views from the top are fantastic.

I think this is Lichen Hill

We cross the end of Waterfall Bay road to start up the Tasman Trail.

The track climbs gently through pleasant bush.

Tasman Trail

It's not all easy walking however, and it's not long before we have to call on our well honed skills to overcome a barrier across the track.

Some go over, some go under

Either way, we all make it past the fallen trees.

Glimpses of the coast appear as we walk

The track

Along the way, I think it was Peter who pointed to this fine fungus hiding behind a gum tree.

Looks almost good enough to eat

It's not long before we reach a small bridge over the top of Camp Falls. True to its name there is indeed a comfortable area that has been used for camping and which we will use for lunch.

Footbridge over top of Camp Falls

Before lunch however, we take a short diversion from Camp Falls down the unnamed creek to Shower Falls, returning for lunch.

The track down

Only room for a few at a time at the bottom

I have a look at my surroundings as I wait

This fungus at the bottom of the falls is pointed out to me

Top of Shower Falls

Bottom of falls

Returning to the track we settle down for lunch. I should mention that on arrival back at the track, Peter was talking to someone he knew. Typical Tasmania.

Lunch

Part of the camp area

Just to show I'm still here

 After lunch, we head farther along the track to our final destination, the lookout over Waterfall Bay.

Typical ground cover along the way

The track to Waterfall Bay lookout

Arrival at first lookout

There's a substantial drop just about one step ahead

Looking back along the track

The final lookout is a large raised rock with rough stone steps leading down to it

I'll wait back here, thank you

end of the line

Leaving Camp Falls

We make our way, retracing our steps to the Tasman Arch. Here I've found another track back along the cliffs which will return us to our cars.

The new track from Tasman Arch to the Blowhole

It follows the cliff line closely, sometimes a bit too closely

Thank goodness that bit of plastic was there to stop me falling over

 We had 13 walkers and covered 11.19km in 3:24hrs moving time.

It's a nice walk in good weather with a small loop at the end.

 Many thanks to Lyn and Bryan to introducing us to such a beautiful area.

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