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.