Wed, 19th Nov, 2014 Bear Gully Campground to Shallow Inlet Campground

Headed off early before the Ranger came by. Sky is overcast again. Drove back to Cape Liptrap where the lighthouse is. Saw a fox with two babies run across the road but too quick for a photo. Lots of rabbits here too. Did the traditional pose at Cape Liptrap lighthouse.

Looking back up the coast into Waratah Bay to where we were last night at Bear Gully.

A bit of information which was interesting.

Back up the road past lots of dairy farms. A farmer stopped us asking if we had seen cows – we said just their droppings which Steve was whinging about had sprayed up everywhere!! The road to the historic lime kilns said ‘no caravans’ so we thought we wouldn’t push it. Down the range to Walkerville North which is in the Waratah Bay. Narrow road so pulled over just before the boat ramp. The sun started to peek out again. Lots of seaweed.

Saw a sign about the Limeburners Walk to the Lime Kilns so headed off – 0.8km 20minutes. There was a poem as we headed up the stairs about the walk.

Up the side of the cliff so stopped for a breather – lovely view.

Had a couple of hazards to get over. Obviously Parks Vic haven’t been up here in a while.

Info board about The Bluff which is part of the 50 meter wide Waratah Fault which is one of the best exposed faults along the Australian coast. In the 1870s, the imposing limestone headland extended to the sea from this Bluff. Another lovely bay at the top of the walk – starting to warm up now.

Zoomed in on this flower which looked like a peace lilly.

Stopped at the Walkerville Cemetery which is near a little creek running down to the beach. It is completely fenced but the trees are taking over. A few tombstones have been maintained.

There was a Frederick James Watson – Steve’s great grandfather, John Watson was a lighthouse keeper but in Maryborough, Qld area – but no connection to this one. Found another name marker for Frederick James Watson died 1911 aged 4.

Another sign about the Quarry with a picture showing the train lines along the beach or maybe there was another level which has since eroded away. There were more signs but the walk along the cliff edge was closed due to storm damage and not repaired since.

We will have to walk along the beach over the rocks and the tide was in so peered around the point and saw the limestone kilns.

I was happy with that but Steve said “let’s go” so off we headed.

Another “London Bridge”.

This poor tree is trying hard to survive.

Saw the kilns but another pile of rocks to climb over. We think the tide is going out.

Made it at last then we realise the stairs are blocked off and we won’t be able to get to the top.

Steve climbed up anyway, of course and we climbed through the boards into the centre of the area. It’s huge and high – amazing to think it was built back in 1870’s.

 There was a fire place at the other side and on the outside was another furnace area. Will have to google it to get more info.

Looking back to where we climbed over the rocks. It is turning into another beautiful day with a clear blue sky.

A lizard – This is the first one we have seen.

Another kiln/chimney on the side of the big one.

We tried to climb up the hillslope as we could see the walkway above so we could get back to the kiln but it had a water spring under the clay and down went my leg into the mud.

Back down to the beach and to the creek to clean off my boots. Lucky they are waterproof.

Up the narrow path through the “marijuana” looking plants!!

Across the bay to the islands out from Wilsons Promontory.

And the bottom of Wilsons Prom.

At the top again and looking down on our van at Walkerville North.

Sat in the van to watch the replay of Sunday’s V8s so we could hear Channel 7’s version while we had lunch. Rang the girls at Tuckshop for a chat. The Seniors will be finishing on Friday. Rang Vic Parks about camping at Wilson’s Prom and they want $59.20 per night – what a rip off so won’t stay there. Rang Shallow Inlet Campground which is north of Wilson’s Prom and they only charge $15 per night. The tide has gone out now.

Back up the range and past lots more farms with green pastures. Went into Sandy Point which has Waratah Bay on one side and Shallow Inlet on the other. The Esplanade had trees protecting the houses from the beach so didn’t see much so decided to head back out. Around the edge of the Inlet to just north of Yanakie where we turned off to Shallow Inlet Campground. We saw a Vic Parks sign but the Ranger said that is not under their control any more as the group of people that have been coming here for 30 odd years formed a Committee to oversee the camping area and any money they collect goes back into the park. There is lovely clean and smelling nice pit toilets. Roomy campsites some with good tree coverage, some more open. Lots of rubbish bins, tank water and even a dump point. We paid for 2 nights to start.

Lots of lovely little birds to try and photograph and they are all singing lovely songs.

After a cuppa we walked a short way down to the beach area where the tide was still out. Shallow Inlet goes for 7km down to the mouth at the start of Wilson’s Promontory.

Black swans and soldier crabs everywhere.

A chap was cleaning his catch – flathead and King George whiting (not very big though) and feeding the carcasses to the pelicans. There were Silver Gulls and Pacific Gulls (much larger bird) too trying to get a feed.

He said the babies are brown and won’t get go white till they are over one year old. Then one flew in. They were funny as they bowed their heads as they called.

Another one was half brown half white so he must be into his 2^nd year. He said that Wilson’s Prom was the end of their territory but they went all the way around the bottom of Australia to Western Australia.

Black swans also swam along the water’s edge eating things in the shallows – strange to see them in saltwater, we thought they were a freshwater bird.

Another chap said there was a seal stealing his fish as he pulled them in. Wandered around the park and on the other boundary was open dairy farm land.

Enjoyed a drink sitting outside and rang Rebecca Turnbull back and had a great chat. Then rang Dan to find out his news – he has a new job which he will start in January. One shed down from Brian and Jon. Worked on my blog for a while then wandered back to the beach to see if I could see the seal. Chatted with a chap who has been coming here for 35 years for 6 months. He pays $600 for the 6 months which works out cheap. It is busiest on long weekends and over Christmas. No one comes during the winter but it is open and free then if you wish but there is no Ranger etc.

He said to look out for ‘Dave the Echidna’. I said I want to see a wombat as we have seen heaps of echidnas. He pointed out a big hole behind him and said to watch that later on dusk and I might see a wombat.

The sun started to set then a band of cloud came across. He said it is an ocean mist.

Steve came down and we wandered along the beach getting sunset photos with the swans and pelicans.

  

  

The breeze was getting chilly but we waited till it set. Back to the van to warm up and cook tea as it is nearly 8.30pm!! Will check out the wombats tomorrow night.  After dinner rang Mum and Dad for a big chat.