Thursday, 17 April 2025

Perrins Ridge - 15 Apr 2025

 Today we are walking into a new area for the group which starts from a property owned by Morris one of our walkers.

The weather forecast is fine so the only issue will be "is the climb worth it".

We start by parking the cars in one of the paddock on the property and then following a fire trail through to McGowans Road.


Following the fire trail.

Mount Wellington on a clear day with cloud hovering over the top.

A cubby house with an escape slide.

Another framed view of Mount Wellington.

Looking towards Tinderbox.

Morris leaning on the gate and getting additional advice about our walk from one of the local residents.

Some of the group removing jumpers etc before the climb up the powerline easement.


The view looking down the power line towards Bruny Island.

Morning tea about half way up the climb.


Still climbing.



The view from the saddle.


This is where we start to explore Perrins Ridge.

Someone mentioned it's a "proper bushwalk".

One of nature's sculptures.

There are 12 other walkers in front of me somewhere.


We managed to get as far as our leaders had surveyed but after a discussion it was decided that we would return to the saddle for lunch. People seemed happy with that decision.

Back on a formed track.

Lunch was at the saddle in the sunshine.

With lots of boulders covered in bright orange lichen/algae??.

A Hakea fruit not yet burst.

Returning down the climb.



Back on the block Morris showed us the remains of some of the old trees that were there.

The old chimney from the old farm house.



The higher reaches of Margate Rivulet.

Returning to the cars for the end of the walk.



We had 13 walkers who covered 7.9km in just under 5 hours climbing and descending 430 meters.

Thanks to Morris for inviting us to his beautiful bush property and showing us around the highlights of it at the end of the walk.

Also thanks to Ron and Morris for researching the walk and ensuring we were not still trying to find our way out of the bush at the end of the day.

 In addition it was worth the walk for the views towards Bruny and Tasman Peninsular.

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Droughty Point - 8 Apr 2025

The last time that we did the walk around Droughty Point was in April 2014.

The property is privately owned and the owners are currently in the process of developing the land for new housing estates under Skylands Tasmania. (www.skylands-hobart.com )
 
Our group has been interested in walking the area prior to any further development and following our request the owners agreed to allow us access.


 After leaving the cars we entered the property and climbed to the top of the hill.

The view across The Derwent with Mount Wellington in the background.

Looking across Rokeby towards the Police Academy.

The view across to Sandford and Gellibrand Hill.


View from the top of the hill with Betsey Island in the distance.


Coming down the hill through the Poa grass.






Oyster shells  on the foreshore.

An interesting shape of some poa grasses.

Foreshore rock formations.

A collection of shells congregating on an inter-tidal rock.

A wallaby checking out the walkers.




Much discussion was had within the group as to how one cuts a tree down and manages to get the trunk to rest on the stump.


Looking across from Droughty Point to Arm End.

And Kingston and Blackmans Bay.



The dam near the remnants of the original house. The bright green tree in the background is an old Mulberry tree.

The stony beach below the old house site.



Collections of smaller rocks, shells and other marine debris on the beach.





A rock pool formed in a larger rock.

Lunch for the group. They were happy that the waves had made terraces for sitting on for lunch.













Photo taken from the Old house site. Note the remains of the brick well in the foreground.


Leaving Droughty Point and the walk back to the cars.





Looking back down the Derwent towards Bruny Island.


We had 17 walkers who cover 10 kms and climbed and descended 150 meters over 4.5 hours.

A walk enjoyed by all with different views across the surrounding suburbs.

Our thanks to the owners for allowing us to enjoy walking on their property.