This week we're going to do the walk I canceled the other week due to very bad weather. Today looks a lot better and, indeed proved to be so. We last did the walk back in 2016.
We travel down to South Arm and park at the junction of Gellibrand Drive and Sabre Place where there is plenty of room for parking.
 |
| The start |
This area has the benefit of having a large number of tracks suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. Indeed, a young woman on horseback rode past as we were getting ready.
We set off down Sabre Place, looking for the start of the track we want. Not hard to find as there is a sign to point the way.
 |
| Heading down the hill |
 |
| The start of the track is on the left |
We're on the eastern shore of the River Derwent just southeast of Hobart, so a view of Mount Wellington is obligatory.
 |
| Mount Wellington |
Three days to Spring I believe. On we go and as we get closer to the shoreline, views begin to appear.
 |
| One of several small beaches |
 |
| Winter up there |
 |
| Down here it's quite pleasant |
In fact, as we walk and warm up, clothing begins to be discarded.
It being that time of the morning we're looking for a place for Morning Tea. We pass the place we used before and Wayne brings us to a nice sunny spot beside the track for our break.
 |
| The track |
 |
| Our view |
 |
| Morning Tea |
Break finished, we continue on walking around the edge of Ralphs Bay.
 |
| We're heading back towards the road at South Arm Neck |
 |
| Some of the small beaches are made of tiny shells |
Reaching South Arm Road, we cross, turn left and begin to follow it for a short distance until our next turnoff.
 |
| South Arm Road |
 |
| If I wasn't married to a teacher, I probably wouldn't have noticed this sign |
 |
| We've turned off onto a sort of track that is heading where we want to go |
It's not long before we arrive at a proper gravel road that leads to the lookout on Goat Bluff.
The view is over Black Jack Rocks and Betsey Island.
 |
| Black Jack Rocks with Betsey Island behind |
Betsey Island is a nature reserve and has had a number of names in the past. Some of which are Lady Franklin Island, Franklin Island, Betsy Island, Willaumez Island. Bett's Island after an officer on an early ship or perhaps Betts's after the first owner of the island, Mr. Betts. This became corrupted to Betsey Island.
You wouldn't think such a small island could cause so much confusion.
 |
| Looking towards Saltwater River |
 |
| Looking towards North Bruny Island and maybe Woodbridge Hill |
 |
| Calverts Beach in the distance |
Looking at a map, Goat Bluff is actually shown as being to the southwest of the lookout. I noticed a track leading off and considered exploring it, but decided not to. Next time for sure as it's shown heading for Goat Bluff.
Several walkers wanted to know what we could see from the lookout, so the image from Google Earth below should give you an idea.
Leaving the lookout behind, we set off back down the gravel access road, where Bob finds an alternate way down to the beach. This makes a good change from the way we went last time and gives us some cross country exercise.
 |
| Going bush with Bob |
 |
| We make the beach safely |
First time I've been here when there are no people around. Not one surfer, which is unusual.
We decide to walk over to the point and have lunch as there is plenty of seating and it provides a wind break.
There's a bit of surf, but the tide is out so it's no problem to us.
 |
| Long shot of surf crashing into Cape Contrariety |
 |
| Calverts Beach |
 |
| Lunch |
 |
| Permian siltstone. Contains pebbles and few fossils. Interesting colour |
 |
| A local. Don't worry, that large wave isn't going to reach our friend |
Lunch finished, we start our way up the beach looking for an opening to access Calverts Lagoon.
Just as I start up the beach I spot this creature apparently stuck in the wet sand but still moving. Sue came to its rescue, getting it onto a tissue and transporting it to the nearest vegetation at the edge of the beach.
I haven't been able to identify it. I can see similar flies described, but not with those long antenna.
 |
| We bid a fond farewell to our lunch spot... |
 |
| ...and head into the unknown |
It's not really that dramatic, we do find the opening we're looking for, leaving the beach and entering the dirt track running past the lagoon.
 |
| The lagoon is just to our left beyond the trees |
 |
| It's a bit overgrown and you have to look for a way through |
I, of course have the original 2016 GPS track showing where we entered the lagoon, but Peter & Bob chose their own route. I was going to penalize them for taking a shortcut, because the rest of the group walked farther, but I going to let it go.
I always try to be kind to pensioners.
 |
| First time I've seen water in the lagoon |
We make our way around the edge, it's actually dry walking. Around the other side Bob picks up the walking track that leads us up and away from the lagoon.
 |
| Calverts Lagoon |
We begin to climb up Collins Springs Hill. This is a shared use track and we move aside to let a young woman ride her bike through. The track we're on now actually runs along the side of the hill.
However, the cars are somewhere up above, so we head up a mountain bike track that zig -zags down the hill.
 |
| Looking down |
 |
| Looking up. Walkers can use the straight up track |
Soon we reach the top and meet Gellibrand Drive again, turning right and heading towards the cars.
There was some mumbling along the way about whether I had the direction right. I had the track on my GPS unit and knew I was right.
I mean, when has mankind ever been let down by technology?
We do indeed make it back to the cars.
We had 14 walkers and covered 11.46km in 3:59 hrs. A great day for a varied walk.
Click here to download GPX file
No comments:
Post a Comment