Mount Wellington - 26 Nov 2024

 Today's walk starts from the Springs and is primarily to view the Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea Truncata) in flower and involves a stroll along the Pinnacle Track then descending the Sawmill and Lower Sawmill track returning to the carpark via the Shoobridge and North-South Track.

Pink Fingers (caladenia carnia) beside the track.

Looking out over Hobart which is covered with low cloud (or fog).

Checking out the non-view of Hobart.

Leptecophylla parvifolia - Mountain pinkberry.

The well made Pinnacle Track.

The Tasmanian Waratah in full bloom sprinkled with morning dew.

If you look closely there are a number of Waratah trees in full bloom among the boulder field.

Mountain pinkberry.

Richea Dracophyllym

Telopea Truncata

Hakea sericea - Silky Hakea

 

One of a number of small creeks running off the mountain.

The low cloud or mist starts to envelope us.

Starting down the Sawmill track.

Our Leader Sally enjoying the Waratah display.

Another Pink Fingers Orchid with the darker pink coloring.

White Mountain berry in flower.

Lunch under Sphinx Rock alongside the Lower Sawmill Track.

Everyone watching a couple of us picking up glass and cans that had been thrown from the Lookout above.

 

Another small cave further down the Sawmill Track.

Ron and Sally obviously in deep discussion about the sites along the track.

The Lower Sawmill Track was somewhat steep.

Ferns alongside the Shoobridge Track.

Heading up the North-West Track.

A tennis ball size fungi.

We had 16 walkers who covered 5.5 km in just under 4 hours climbing 290 metres and descending 330 meters.

Enjoyable walk with a significant amount of the vegetation in flower.

Thanks to Sally for leading the walk and Chris for his photos.
 

 

Shipstern Bluff & Tunnel Bay - 19 November 2024

Today's walk is one we have done before - a circuit from Stormlea to Shipstern Bluff stopping at Tunnel Bay for lunch and then back to the cars.

The forecast is for a  mostly sunny day with a maximum temperature of 17.

After signing in to the registration book we head off on the walk.

 

Three Wise Men?

Some interesting trees

Fungi growing in this tree

Spotted this caterpillar racing across the trail

We speedup on the downhill to morning tea at the Shipstern Bluff lookout and its spectacular views.

View of Shipstern Bluff in the background

Surrounded by steep hills

The premium seats are at the back

Continuing towards Shipstern Bluff

Along this section there were lots of jackjumper nests .. they are very good at blending in with their surrounds. There are at least 35 in this picture. How many can you count?

Getting close to the track junction

At the junction we take the turn to Shipstern Bluff

Pointing out the lookout where we had our morning tea. It is the small rocky outcrop at the extreme top and left side of this photo

A blown up photo of the lookout

Down we go

Almost there

Looking towards Cape Raoul

 

Where's Wally?

A few years ago the workmen were still installing these seats when we arrived on our walk

Back up the hill towards the track junction

As we get closer to tunnel Bay the trail starts to descend rapidly

 

Our lunch destination is now visible in the distance

 

Our first glimpse of Tunnel Bay

This rock was striking with its cover or bright orange lichen and green surrounds

Photographer in action

A very pleasant place to have lunch

Lunch over we start our journey back to the cars

As usual for this time of year there was an abundance of wild flowers

We pass a shy echidna

 

A fine example of a Thelymitra (Sun Orchid) is being examined by our resident botanist 

Nice reflections

Not much further to go

Thanks Michael for providing photos

Today we had 8 walkers who thoroughly enjoyed the 13.5km walk.  There were a couple of substantial climbs

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