Tasman National Park

Tasman Coastal Track and Cape Hauy

Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 September 07

This was two walks spread over three days. The first two on the Tasman Coastal Track commencing from Fortescue Bay on an overcast but mostly fine day with a camp just before Tatnells Hill. There was a decent sort of breeze in the bay but this became quite strong once we reached Dolomieu Point with the wind howling and the seas pounding the cliffs. However even though only a metre or so in from the cliffs at times the wind just shot straight up leaving us in relatively calm conditions.

We reached the campsite close to 5 pm and Sue headed off to find the creek for water whilst I put up the tent. After going a fair distance Sue became concerned that she hadn't arrived at the creek and decided the best option would be blow her whistle to make sure she hadn't wandered in the wrong direction. The sign did indicate a 10 minute walk to water and this did prove pretty right, but the track is now a bit overgrown in parts. Anyway with that settled we started to prepare tea, when Sue asked what it was on the ground beside the tent; on closer inspection it was human faeces. It was the consistency of spew and by some miracle I had avoided getting the ground sheet and tent on it by millimetres and also missed stepping on it. How anyone could be so disgusting to go to the toilet in an open camping area is hard to imagine, but it is totally unacceptable. A rapid repositioning of the tent immediately took place and the wretched mess covered over with leaves and whatever else we could find.

Although a light shower fell overnight, the return walk was in very pleasant sunny weather; so much so that the first snake for year was spotted. Birds were plentiful and the scenery as brilliant as ever as we headed for the campsite at Fortescue Bay for the evening.

One heavy burst of rain fell during the night but the day dawned clear and we left for Cape Hauy. The damage from the fire a couple of years previous was very evident and some of the track still had fallen vegetation over it. The regrowing flora was quite spectacular with masses of wattles and yellow pea flowers. On reaching the end of the track, I explored the area to get better views of The Candlestick, but it took longer than expected and unfortunately Sue began to worry that I had been blown over the edge. On the drive out we stopped to look at the start of the old Cape Pillar track and couldn't help feeling sad at the huge cleared and bare area; the forest industry seems to have no heart and soul.

We thought the idea of doing two walks during the one visit to the area worked out well and will do more like this in future. It also had the advantage of being able to have a more leisurely drive back.

Tasman