Fri, 2nd Jan, 2015 The Neck Campground, Bruny Island

Clear blue sky today. Drove back to South Bruny to Alonnah to do the walk there to Sheepwash Bay. Nice calm day here today.

It was a nice walk but not too exciting. It follows the historic road that once linked the jetties at Alonnah and Sheepwash Bay. Lovely picnic area (no signs letting anyone know it is there though) along the way – we could have snuck in here with the van.

Followed the old tramway – the old rocks line the side.

Followed the track to Sheepwash Creek. Wouldn't want to wash sheep in it now!! 

 Looked like a track across the log and rocks but I took one step and then I slipped on the log and down I went. Luckily it was soft so no damage done.

Looking across to mainland Tassie.

Headed back to the truck as the rest of the track followed the road. This looks like simple looking beach shack.

Great view from up the hill over Satellite Island to Tassie mainland.

Passed some old farm machinery.

Drove then to end where the old jetty was originally but there was nothing there anymore.

Certainly a warmer day – no need for a jumper today. Back across South Bruny to east side to Adventure Bay. Lovely look over Coal Point across to Penguin Island.

The rocks look like coal.

Lots of crayfish pots and kelp.

Stopped at the Adventure Bay Coastal Reserve where the school children are trying to protect the habitat of the hooded plover.

 Lovely clean sand and water.

The trees come right down onto the water’s edge.

Further along was a very popular spot where the shop is. This monument was getting lots of attention. It was the earth with two whales inside it. At least they remembered to put Tassie on it but they forgot New Zealand!!  It is situated between the site of two whaling stations.

A lot of businesses used the 40 degrees thing here, Roaring 40s winds, 41 degree Salmon Farm, 42 degree real estate and 43 degrees restaurant.

Captain Cook & Captain Furneaux monument. Furneaux discovered the bay in 1773. Cook landed here in 1777.

This wall was erected in memory of Bruni C’Entrecasteaux. Bruny Island was named after him.

Across Captain Cook Creek – popular swimming spot.

Another monument for Captain Cook Bi-centenary.

There was a boat out front and a guy was diving for either crayfish or abalone. We stood there waiting for him to catch something but he didn’t.

I don’t think I would like swimming around in that kelp.

Stopped at the boat ramp at the very end of the bay and made some lunch. The beach here is not as nice – very black.

Got our drink bottles and headed off for the walk to Grass Point (1 hour return) and Fluted Cape (2.5 hours return). Not sure what that will be if we do them together. Easy walk down the beach and along the bay edge.

Information about the whaling stations around here.

Rocky path to the next information board about another whaling station.

Nothing left of the old days.

Mainly rounded rocks here. Kids having a ball balancing the stones. Piles everywhere.

Nice walk through the casuarinas though they all look dead.

Reached the end, lovely view back.

Grass Point, site of another whaling station. It certainly would have looked different back then with all the dead whales rotting in the sea etc.

Time has started covering up the archaeological dig of the old house remains.

Walked to the very end where the rocks were exposed that joined Penguin Island to the rest when the tide is out.

These casuarinas are nice and healthy.

Great views over to Cape Queen Elizabeth, around the other edge of the island to the open sea.

Headed off to follow the Fluted Cape track – started off straight up hill.

We are following the edge of the cliff. Great views – glad I have to stop a lot and take photos. Should have bought my stick so found another on the ground.

Out onto a point.

Looking left,

Then right.

Further around an open space for a good look at the cliffs, they do look spectacular.

Looking straight down makes my knees weak.

Boy is it steep. The photos don’t do it justice.  The wind is picking up too but luckily onto us off the sea so I don’t feel it will blow me off the cliff. Wish I had the VMS so I could see what height we are climbing to.

Another look at the cliffs and the rock pillars balancing.

Looking back down.

Then up again.

Back at Penguin Island

Up further, you can see how far by the photo of Penguin Island again.

Looking back over the Neck.

Zoomed in on the Big Hummock (penguin rookery).

Rest stop – time for a selfie with Penguin Island behind and Cape Queen Elizabeth in the background.

Zoomed in on Mount Wellington and the tower on top.

Down hill for a bit.

Then climb again up the next hill.

Looking back over the Neck to the north part of Isthmus Bay.

And to Simpsons Bay to the south of the neck.

We can see Tasman Peninsula in the distance. It is hard to see in the photo because it was quite hazy.

Looking down to the Bruny Island Cruise boats zooming around under us. They disappear under the cliff face.

Onto an open area which has been cleared – maybe for helicopters to collect hikers who are having heart attacks after that climb!! It was slippery climbing up on the needles from the casuarinas so I am glad we aren’t going back down that way.

Steve noticed something white in the ocean. The sea is quite calm with no white caps. It was a whale. We saw its flipper. Love my little camera.

 Then just the white under the surface.

All of a sudden the boats all turned and headed out to what we had seen. It disappeared after the boats got too close.

Some younger people arrived and walked straight out to the edge and sat. My knees wobble too much to get that close. The boats are just little dots in the distance where the whale had been.

There had been a fire through here and there are lots of trees down. Nobody has been up lately to clear the path!!

A bit of art!!

Another column of rocks.

Continued up again.

Eventually we made it to the top – another pile of rocks with a note.

Spectacular views – so glad we did it.

Zoomed in to the edge of Penguin Island again.

Panned from left to right from the south edge of the Neck around to Cape Queen Elizabeth.

Steve added a couple more rocks to the pile.

The sun was very hot but the breeze off the ocean was getting cooler. Steve got adventurous and went out onto a point – hanging onto that tree tight though.

Then it was my turn!!

Just love the view.

The rock formations continue around the corner.

Peered down through the boulders to the beach below. Long way down.

Headed back down the other way through the grassland and scrub. It is a steep walk down but not as bad as the cliff side. The clouds have come over which is good as when the sun is out it would have been a hot walk as there is no breeze here.

I can see Adventure Bay again. Still a long way to go back to the beach though.

Rocky track so have to watch where we put our feet.

Back to the beach at last – big walk but the views were spectacular so glad we did it.

Cuppa at a beach called Quiet Corner.

A chap had been diving and had a few Abalone so we asked him about them and I got a photo. He said they taste like calamari so I might give it a go.

Some guys were playing a different kind of cricket. The batter was on the beach and the fielders in the water – they were having a ball.

Looking back across the bay to where we just hiked.

There were a couple more walks through rainforest and to the summit of Mt Mangana but we decided we had had enough for today. Turned onto Coolangatta Road which goes back across the island to Lunawanna on the west. There was a sign 4WD only – was a bit rough but that didn’t stop the people in front of us in their Falcon sedan. Over the top (420m – the height at summit was 571m – highest peak on the island).

Stopped at a sign about Clennetts timber top mill site (there is another one down on the flat). Luckily it was only a 10 minute walk. Lots of old machinery and info signs. It was set up by the Forestry Department but hasn’t been maintained and there is nothing in any of the info brochures about it. What a shame.

 Followed the path reading the info boards.

Amazing this pile of sawdust hasn’t disappeared after all these years.

Turned off towards Cloudy Bay again to see how many people are camped at the Pines. It wasn’t too crowded.

Everyone was down at the bay surfing. They even started parking on the beach – the car parks are too small for the growing number of tourists.

Decided not to drive along the beach down to the other camp area, though others head down in their normal cars. Apparently it is a lovely camp spot, right round to the other end of the beach. 4WD used to go up onto the point but that has been closed off now. Like a lot of areas.

Parked and walked up the hill, great waves rolling in.

Spotted the surfers so headed around to Whalebone Point to watch them.

Someone laid heaps of rocks and some planks to make a path around to the point where there is a platform with seats. The sun was so hot at 6pm.

Headed back north again looking out for more White Wallabies. Apology to Erica – they do look albino but I googled them and couldn’t find anything about them except they are called Bennett’s White Wallabies and are rare. Found this photo of one with its normal looking joey.

Back to camp where a lot more people have arrived. Mainly in tents.  Another wander along the beach (just to keep the legs moving!!) Picked up some more shells – not that we need any more.

I got dinner ready while Steve prepared the fire. Don’t need it for warmth tonight but it is lovely to be outside and enjoy it. Even stayed out for a cuppa til the sun set and the moon was shining brightly. Kookaburras having the last laugh.

No need to close up the van tonight 25 degrees in here – no blankets needed. So nice for a change.