Wondering about the forecast
for a cold front coming over in the middle of the day, we headed off in
gorgeous sunshine to the Tasman Peninsula.
There were 7 of us for our walk to Tatnells Hill i.e. me, Robert, Kat,
Philip, Bob, Catherine and Peter. It
took just an hour and a quarter to get to the Waterfall Bay carpark from the
city.
After our first look at the beautiful bay, we kitted up for the walk. We had been warned there were leeches on this walk, so most of us had gaiters on today. Everyone was impressed by Robert ‘s and my gaiters (now possibly collectors' items) which were designed to snugly wrap under and around our boots. Nothing was going to get through there!
After our first look at the beautiful bay, we kitted up for the walk. We had been warned there were leeches on this walk, so most of us had gaiters on today. Everyone was impressed by Robert ‘s and my gaiters (now possibly collectors' items) which were designed to snugly wrap under and around our boots. Nothing was going to get through there!
We headed off at
10.30am, via the track starting on the northern side of the carpark. We followed the clifftops for about 15
minutes to Falls Camp, where the waterfall careens down the rocks.
We took the side trip to Waterfall Bluff, which
was a lovely leaf littered, level walk through pretty bushland along the
clifftops. There were fantastic views
out over the sea and to the north along the way.
We saw no whales, unfortunately.
At the Bluff, there were excellent views south to Cape Hauy, scene of one of our recent walks.
The Waterfall Bluff diversion took about 30 minutes.
Back near the
Falls Camp, the sign pointed the way upwards towards Fortescue Bay and Tatnells
Hill. The track climbed steadily and fairly steeply up the valley, criss
crossing the creek, through wet rainforest, with its resident leeches taking some interest as we passed. Near
the top of the ridge we passed the side track to Clemes Hill on the left – this
was well signposted. Soon after this we
reached the more open ridge walk, and the open tops of Tatnells Hill at about
12.30pm.
At the top there
were some large flat rocks, perfect for sitting in the sun, enjoying the view and eating
our lunches. The views were out to sea
and to the north. It was too high to
imagine one could see whales from there!
We returned the
way we had come, with Kat battling to make my walking pole work properly. We decided in the end that it was cheap and nasty, and I was glad that Robert had found a sturdy
wooden stick for me instead. The walk
back seemed much faster somehow, certainly more enjoyable than the upward track,
and we were back at the carpark at 2.30pm, just when the skies opened up. What good timing!
Once again we
were confounded by strange signage of cafes.
The Dunalley Waterfront Café had its collapsible sign out on the
highway, but we actually found it closed. WTF? Plan B was the Dunalley Hotel, inspiring by
its quality of service and food (not).
The beer was fine, though.
Post walk reports:
Robert found evidence of a leech attack on his shin!
I had no pain in my knees the next day - proving to myself that using a (good quality) walking pole/stick to take some of the weight is very useful.
I had no pain in my knees the next day - proving to myself that using a (good quality) walking pole/stick to take some of the weight is very useful.
Driving Directions:
Drive to Tasman
Peninsula, just after Eaglehawk Neck turn left onto Blowhole Rd. After 2 km, turn right onto Waterfall Bay
Road, just before the Penzance Motel.
Park at Waterfall Bay carpark (80km from Hobart, an hour and a quarter
drive).
