October 2024 - Not Mt Field

I (Fin) write this as a co-organiser (with Di), and also as a member of one of the two (or perhaps three, in the end), subgroups that formed on the day.

I had suggested Mt Field for today’s walk because I hadn’t been there for a while… And Di then suggested Platypus Tarn. Di sensibly aso thought of a bad-weather alternative, a walk through New Norfolk she had created on the Ride with GPS app, which took in some of the Rivers Derwent and Lachlan, the former asylum, and a few town streets. Turned out the latter was prudent; the high-altitude option was looking rough, with a maximum forecast temperature of six degrees along with a fair whack of wind…

After regrettable apologies from Di (dental patient) and Philip (international traveller), six stalwarts met in New Norfolk, I am sure each eager to hear who (the bloody hell) wanted to persist with the mountains and high lakes, and who wanted to amble along the pretty riparian tracks or visit the antique shops. Over coffee (at the Arthouse cafe, which had opened by 10 am, just a bit little earlier than the previously agreed Cake Lady), Angie, Dorothy, Kat, Gary, Janet and Fin cast their ballots. Drink coffee, enjoy a croissant, do whatever. Collective sigh of relief that nobody elected to freeze, or worse, in the high country today.

Kat and Gary headed off to some shops of interest; Janet also had one in mind before heading home; and the (marginally more intrepid) trio of Angie, Dorothy and Fin took Di’s map, and set out around river and town, with the Bush Inn as their start and end point.

The town walk trio found some beautiful outlooks along the Derwent, noted some oddly written historical interpretations but plenty of public seating, enjoyed a visit to the extensive community garden on the Lachlan flats (each gratefully selecting a few packets of vege and flower seeds); skirted the former asylum including the (closed for a private event) restaurant the Agrarian Kitchen, we shared lots of the things you see when you slow it all down – and walk. The map was great, and the signage along the way was great, too.

The (not so intrepid) trio bought roadside eggs, seed potatoes and honey on the drive home through Collinsvale and Molesworth. The chooks (Isa Browns) were tempting at just $10 each.

September 2024 - Risdon Dam

Plans are meant to be changed, right? Our first plan was to walk to Fort Direction, always a pleasant walk. Our number was greatly dimished by many of us being unavailable due to work or travelling. And as the date approached, random injuries and illnesses picked more of us off one by one. Till on the day we were down to two - Di and Maryanne - and Di wasn't a hundred percent either. So we opted for a closer walk, hopefully with some protection from the September winds which were still harassing us! We drove to Risdon Dam, and had a pleasant walk around the dam.

Of course we had plenty to talk about, including reporting some wind damage to TasWater (as we're useful citizens). At the end we discovered a sweet new selfie installation - you can see that it's still windy!

We adjourned for an early lunch at Whisk in Lenah Valley. Short and sweet, and we're feeling good.

August 2024 - Bellerive Bluff

The weather was looking pretty bad for our planned walk on the Charles Darwin trail on the Eastern Shore, so most walkers decided that discretion was the better part of valour. Four walkers turned up, determined to get out of the house after days of bad weather: Lyn, Di, Caroline and Maryanne (with four legged friend Bronte).

We met at 9.30 in the carpark at the end of Cambridge Drive, Bellerive shopping centre. The weather seemed to be clearing, just in time, and we set off in good spirits. We agreed that the whole Charles Darwin Trail was off the agenda, but we could go anti-clockwise and enjoy some of the Clarence Foreshore Trail till the weather got the better of us.

There were quite a few walkers on the shared path, rugged up against the cold wind and the threatening showers. We even passed a group doing strength training on the path, creatively using the fence to test their muscles against.

It was a pleasant walk untili we reached Bellerive Bluff. Turning around, we could see the next set of black clouds rolling towards us, so we started briskly walking back again. The rain just caught us before we reached our coffee stop at the cafe at Bellerive Oval. But by the time we'd finished our coffee, and still chatting, the skies were blue again :) . We got back to Cambridge Rd within 2 hours of setting out.

It was good to get out and blow the cobwebs away. Thanks to Lyn for encouraging us do it!

July 2024 - Bivouac Bay

Ready for our July walk, Di, Janet, Wayne, Caroline, Warren and his brother Paul gathered in the Fortescue Bay carpark at 10.30am. Wayne had stayed overnight at the campground in his comfy motorhome. Di and Janet had stayed overnight in a chalet at nearby Taranna. Note, the road in was a bit treacherous. In addition to as the numerous potholes (which had been expected), the surface was pretty slimy in patches due to the recent rains.

We changed our original idea of doing the Cape Hauy trail when we considered the weather forecast, which was for high winds. The Bivouac Bay trail would be a lot more sheltered from the predicted northeasterlies. So we registered in the book and set off along the beautiful beach in good spirits.

The trail was very pleasant. Although it is not as manicured as the Cape Hauy track, the first half of the trail had recently enjoyed a little track maintenance. It was an easy stroll to Canoe Bay, taking about an hour. The shipwreck was adorned with cormorants, who were also enjoying the balmy day. There were fab views out to the Cape Hauy pillars on the other side of the bay.

It's true to report that we didn't really enjoy the hilly headland before our lunch destination at Bivouac Bay, but we made it. The campsite at Bivouac Bay now boasts three large tent platforms and a new toilet block. A clear creek provides fresh water, and the bay is very pretty.

On the way back we passed a cute young echidna enjoying digging for food on the edge of the trail. It was not nervous at all about the huge bipedal animals stopping to stare at it:

Back at the beach, we found the walk had taken us 4 hours and 40 minutes. Wayne stayed at Fortescue Bay to enjoy another peaceful night in the bush, and the rest of us headed back to look for an icecream at the Chocolate Foundry in Taranna (note - it closes at 4pm) and drinks and snacks at the Cannery at Dunalley.

June 2024 - Marion Bay

We were lucky with the weather for our June walk. Wayne organised this one, and there were nine of us today - Wayne, Gerwyn, Maryanne, Di, Kat, Philip, Caroline, Warrren, Janet. We met at the Marion Bay carpark at 10am. The walk was timed to avoid being on the beach too close to high tide (2pm), as the beach (on one side of the peninsula or the other) can disappear at these times.

We have done this walk a couple of times before: Feb 2015 and Nov 2019. It's interesting to look back at the photos from those walks. By comparison, the spit has suffered erosion on both sides. The beach on the sea side, and the sand spit at the end, are much reduced from what they were, and there is more silt on the lagoon side.

There have been some big storms recently, and we could see the evidence with a lot of kelp washed a long way up into the dunes.

The beach was as beautiful as ever.

The recent big swells had washed a lot of juicy scallops up on the beaches, so we were looking hard for some of these. Sadly we found no scallops for eating, but there were some massive patches of beautiful shells scattered along the shore.

Most of us couldn't resist collecting a few of the beauties.

We stopped for a snack at the point.

And then continued around onto the Dunalley Canal side of the spit.

Back at the carpark again, we piled into our vehicles to go and look for a nice spot for lunch. We ended up at The Cannery on the Canal for an enjoyable seafood lunch and even more chatting. This is an easy walk, about a hour and a half, only about 7.5 km, with good options for post walk meals nearby.

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.