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.