Friday, 22 November 2024

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




Click on this link to download GPX file

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