May 2024 - Tangara Trail and Gorringes Beach

This month we were supposed to be gathering at Cradle Mountain for a winter getaway, possibly featuring snow. But our walker numbers declined due to unforeseen events and on top of this the weather was looking dreadful (lots of rain), so our organiser Caroline suggested rescheduling this trip to next year. Agreed!

So that we could still enjoy a walk, Caroline offered us an easy loop along the Tangara Trail in Sandford. This was a new walk for many of us, so we were keen. Nine of us - Caroline, Warren, Bob, Lyn, Di, Maryanne, Wayne, Gerwyn and Gary - gathered at the carpark of the Foreshore Tavern in Lauderdale to confirm directions and carpool. We set off to our walk's starting point at the Mortimer Bay carparking area on Gellibrand Road, Sandford.

It was a pleasant day for it, the weather cool but dry, as we struck off along the Tangara Trail. We were passed by a friendly horse rider early on, also enjoying the trail which can be shared by walkers, bike riders and horses. There are lots of trail turnoff options along the way, so we were carefully watching our map. The trail condition was good, dry and firm.

The first section was through dry bushland, running along the back fences of a number of "lifestyle blocks" featuring horses and dogs. After crossing back across Gellibrand Drive we dropped down to the foreshore and down some steps to a secluded little beach, looking across the bay to the South Arm Peninsula.

Looking beyond South Arm we had a lovely view of kunanyi.

The second half of our walk was definitely the more scenic part, as we wandered along the coastal trail, through sheoak woodlands and other native shrubs such as native hopbush and musk. There was evidence of the drought in places, sadly. But we thoroughly enjoyed the glimpses of the Derwent, and our conversations continued all the way.

Bob spotted a nice little seat for a welcome rest. It turned out to be a cute little home made stile for one of the cottages.

It wasn't long before we found ourselves back at Mortimer Bay, a waterbird sanctuary. Actually we didn't see a great deal of Gorringes Beach on this day, but a walk along the beach would be a nice addition one day.

The 6.8km walk had taken us a little over two hours, at our easy pace. Caroline phoned ahead to make a booking at Driftwood on the Lauderdale Canal, and we drove there to enjoy coffee and snacks to complete our day out, walking and talking with good friends.

April 2024 - ZigZag Track, kunanyi

The Zig Zag Track has recently been refurbished by the City of Hobart's excellent trackworkers, so we went to check out the good work. Bob organised our day, which involved a start at The Springs, heading upwards on the Pinnacle Track, further upwards on the Zig Zag Track, picnic lunch at the pinnacle, then down again, along the Organ Pipes Track, down the Sawmill Track to Sphinx Rock and back to The Springs via the Lenah Valley Track.

Our eager group of nine was Bob, Kat, new walker Maryanne, Di, Fin, Angie, Wayne, Gerwyn and Lyn. We gathered at the upper Springs carpark and set off about 10.15am on a beaut sunny, cold and clear day.

It was upwards from the very start, here we are on the Pinnacle Track.

Occasionally through the trees we would catch breath-taking views over the Derwent.

We stopped for a breather at the T junction where the Zig Zag track commences. Then it was onwards and upwards.

It was definitely time for a snack at an excellent little rest area about three quarters of the way up. Some broad stone seats offered our circle of friends a great lookout. Fruit leathers and chocolate were much appreciated! We admired Angie's brand new folding phone and offered technological assistance, haha.

It was great to reach the top, and we all felt good to have made it.

The views were amazing. There was quite a buzz of visitors at the top, but we found a perfect quiet spot just for us. It had a terrific view over the city, and was sheltered from the wind by some big granite boulders. The chats and story telling continued as we munched.

After about an hour we set off downwards again. It was a pleasant return down the well-formed ZigZag Track, not too hard on the knees. Some of us collected fresh mountain water at a stream crossing the track. At the T junction we turned left onto the Organpipes Track, which is a nice easy walk.

We turned right at the Sawmill Track and this turned out to be a steep descent down a rocky uneven track. The going was a bit more difficult here, but on the other hand it had more of a sense of being in the wilds of kunanyi.

On reaching the road, we crossed over onto the Lower Sawmill Track, which continued the steep descent, although a bit less uneven. Before long we reached the Lenah Valley Track and visited the Sphinx Rock, with its excellent view over Hobart town. Then our walk finished with a stroll along a smooth, well beaten trail through the pretty mountain bushland. We arrived back at The Springs after walking 8.5 km and climbing 574m in 5.5 hours. What a great walk, on beautiful still-wild kunanyi, enjoying excellent company. We were all physically tired but mentally refreshed.

March 2024 - Shipstern Bluff and Tunnel Bay

It was time to revisit Shipstern Bluff and to try out a new(ly opened to the public) trail back from Tunnel Bay. Wayne and Gerwyn organised this autumn walk, and we were blessed with perfect weather for it - sunny and warm. The nine walkers - Wayne, Gerwyn, Janet, Di, Fin, Prem, Lyn, Bob, Kat - met at the carpark on Stormlea Rd at about 10am. After a bit of fussing with our gaiters (it's still high season for snakes) we set off at 10.30am.

The first section is a steady climb through pretty bushland, with an artistic bench about halfway up :)

Our first destination was the lookout over Cape Raoul, to (while we were in the vicinity) experience once again this stunning view.

Our second destination was the lookout over Shipstern Bluff, where we had our first snack break. Gerwyn's easter buns with passionfruit curd were a great hit.

The surf was not up, and the surfers were not out showing off, today.

It was then a long descent down to Shipstern Bluff.

The day was getting pretty warm by the time we reached the bench seating down on the rocks. Time to reapply the sunscreen, and had we brought enough water? Some of us explored the caves around the cliffs, while others were happy to just sit, chat and admire the view.

After we'd had our picnic lunches, we set off again. Three of us decided to return along the way we had come, and six decided to visit Tunnel Bay. This was a lovely spot, peaceful on this day but from the large rocks piled up on the beach we could imagine how rough it often gets here. It has a tunnel!

The day was getting on, so we set off on the drect trail back through some private property - the trail has only recently been made available for the public to use.

There is a lot of up, and some sections were pretty scrabbly with loose stones. We took lots of mini stops. Reaching the top with some relief, we passed a display set up by a previous owner. He had researched the history of Tunnel Bay, including the likely owner of some human skeletal remains found there.

The trail returns to Stormlea Road along a farm access road, and then there is a short stretch along Stormlea Rd itself to get back to the carpark. The group finally reunited, we patted ourselves on the back for completing a long and arduous walk (close to six hours altogether). It had been another wonderful day of walking and talking with our good mates, sharing stories and friendship.

February 2024 - Lagoon of Islands

Tasmania's Lagoon of Islands is not widely known. It is a little known hydro reserve in the Steppes, a wind swept and lonely area up on the edge of the Tasmanian highlands.

Here are some interesting snippets about how the Lagoon was first destroyed, and then rehabilitated, by Hydro Tasmania.

YouTube story of the restoration

ABC News story 22 April 2023 – restoration successful Tasmania's Lagoon of Islands is back to a healthy state after decades of poor water quality

Most of us hadn't been to the lagoon before, so it was with some anticipation that we (Wayne, Gerwyn, Di, Bob, Kat and Philip) met at the remote car parking area. Note: Apart from a little red plastic stick, the turnoff is not signed on Interlaken Road (another place many of us had not visited before), so navigating to the GPS coordinates is advised: -42.114668, 146.933985.

We found a boom gate across the boundary of the reserve, and that parking here suits SUVs and high wheelbase vehicles.

We headed off on a perfect cool summer day (after a heatwave the day before), glad that the fires to the west of us seemed to be under control and that their smoke was not reaching the lagoon. We were well prepared with sturdy shoes, gaiters and walking poles, wary of snakes. The water levels were lower than when Kat and Philip had visited previously (in June), and we were able to skirt the lagoon more closely, making a slightly shorter walk - 12km today.

It was fascinating to see how this previously dammed lagoon is slowly rehabilitating itself into a natural marshy wetland and wildlife reserve.

I think it's fair to say we enjoyed the first half of the walk more than the second half. On the eastern side we could see a good supply of waterbirds at home.

There was a large beach!

And a sandy bank behind which we could see the green grass and a tidemark showing where a smaller lagoon had been until recently.

The dune features some beautiful gums.

Back at the lagoon we saw several wombat homes.

After a short stop around the halfway mark for lunch, we continued around the shoreline, where Kat almost stepped on a snake! Apart from that, the main wildlife of interest on the western shore were sheep grazing (a large flock) and wild deer (a few) scurrying away into the hills.

The last section took us through some dry bushland.

And it was good to reach our vehicles and have another snack.

Three headed back home, while three of us continued the adventure by heading further along Interlaken Road (more gravel and really this felt quite remote, almost lawless) to the historic country town of Oatlands for a mini getaway. We had a delectable afternoon tea at Heritage on High Street, then some entertaining drinks and dinner at The Imbibers. Di was comfortable at the Kentish Hotel while Gerwyn and Wayne enjoyed their motorhome at the lakeside campground. On the (very) quiet Saturday morning, Di enjoyed the self-guided heritage walk along the High Street, admiring the well restored Georgian buildings.