Today is an easier walk we last did back in 2014. Bob has agreed to recreate history and lead us as he did back then.
We park at the Cricket Oval in Margate and head off down the familiar track leading south.
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| Looking southeast over Meredith's Orchard |
There is a farm down there that has been there for years. Mr. Meredith has retired, the orchard was removed sometime ago. A few cattle are grazing in this pasture, but I fear that it won't be long before this is filled with houses.
At least the shop is still open but is very different from the dark barn with a few boxes of fruit sitting on the floor that it was when I first went there many years ago. Still shop there.
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| Continuing on |
We walk on, passing a block of land that has been filled with units, heading towards the spot where the track turns left.
This turn takes us past a very flash chook house and some healthy looking birds.
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| Flash chook house |
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| Flash chooks |
The track takes us to another decision point, left or right (uphill)? Today we take the easy track, turning left. This leads us to the Channel Highway, which we cross.
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| We'll turn left up ahead |
On the other side of the highway, we head south again on the new Margate-Snug shared track, heading to the start of the Dave Burrows Walk. A local walk that will take us down to the water.
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| Heading for the start of the Dave Burrows Walk |
We make our way through some bush to turn north along the shore of North West bay.
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| Dave Burrows Walk |
Reaching the shore, we look south over the Margate Marina. The Marina is being expanded by something like 50 berths, but still sitting there as it has been for years is an old, apparently naval ship.
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| Margate Marina |
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| Old naval ship |
I had a look on the 'net' found out this is the HMAS Curlew, an ex HMS Mine sweeper bought by Australia back in the 1960's.
It's had an interesting life and there was a story on the ABC about it back in 2018 and if you
CLICK HERE you can read all about it and the plans for the future.
Continuing north, we head for Dru Point and Morning Tea.
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| We've done some street walking(!) and are heading through this open field to the Esplanade |
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| Another small jetty being extended |
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| On Dru Point with Mount Wellington in the distance |
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| Tasmanian Wood Ducks |
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| Morning Tea |
I had a walk around, looking for colour and found these flowers.
After Morning Tea, we continue walking around the point back onto the streets near the Channel Christian School.
At one point, Lorna tries to lose us by pointing out a small track leading between two cul-de-sacs, Avalon Court and Wandanda Place.
On we go, following Beach Road to the roundabout, crossing and
heading north to the start of the track leading along the Margate
Rivulet, which we follow.
I believe The Tramway Hill Landcare Group look after this track and do a great job.
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| Heading along the Margate Rivulet |
We pass an old farm that hasn't been sold off for building yet, coming to Davis Flat and stone walls believed to be convict constructed.
Back in 1818 Margate was a convict operated sawing station. A bit different now.
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| Old farm |
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| Heading down to Davis Flat |
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| Possible convict constructed walls |
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| The others have crossed the rivulet on a small bridge |
This track continues past a colourful local construction that I think has grown larger since the last time I passed it.
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| Maybe this will inspire some gardeners out there |
On we go, heading up Brook Lane to Van Morey Road, turning left.
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| Van Morey Road |
We pass some locals as we continue on to a point where we can turn up Englefield Drive.
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| Friendly local... |
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| ...and pasture mate |
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| We're about to head down the track and retrace some of our steps back to the cars |
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| Myself, taken by Bob |
We walk past the ever hopeful chooks back to the Cricket Oval where we have lunch on the deck.
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| Lunch in comfort |
We had 18 walkers and covered 12.14km in 3:14hrs. A nice, easy walk on a good day.
Thanks to Bob for remembering the way.
