Wed, 4th Mar, 2015 Rocky Cape Tavern camp area to Boat Harbour Beach RV stop (exploring Wynyard area)

Warmer night – overcast morning. Packed up and off again for big 20km drive to Boat Harbour Beach. Back into the rolling hills near Sisters Creek. The paddocks look so manicured by the cows and sheep. Turned off and down the narrow range road to the coast at Boat Harbour Beach. Looks beautiful but the wind is bitterly cold. Set up under a pine tree beside another van and some motorhomes.

After a cuppa went for a walk to check out the amazing beach. On top of the toilet block is a viewing platform.

Looking back over our camp area. We don’t have the beautiful beach view though.

Across over the village. Lots of more expensive homes here. The Post Office opened here in 1878. Sky clearing so should be a lovely day.

Around to the beach and the narrow road we had to come down.

You could think we were on a tropical island if we didn’t have so many layers of clothes on!!

Looking west to Rocky Cape.

Followed the shrub lined narrow track heading out to the point (past the water treatment plant!!) 

So lovely and clear.

Looking east to Table Cape.

On the point.

Headed off to explore. Drove west to Sisters Beach. Along the way passed lots of poppy fields – easy to spot with their big signs.

Even with the heavy cloud it looks lovely over the rolling hills.

Down to Sisters Beach. First entrance took us down to a few houses and the creek. Dark clouds are rolling in.

Down another road to the boat ramp, looking back over Sisters Beach.

Rocky outcrop ends the beach.

Heading back down to Boat Harbour Beach we stopped to check out this mosaic archway.

Quite lovely and a lot of work.  Lovely octopus seat.

Further along the track was another seat with a mermaid.

Quite comfy – do I make a good mermaid!!!

Seems a shame such lovely work is hidden by the trees.  Another seat.

We came out on a timber lookout complete with picnic table and chairs. What a waste this isn’t signposted. So many people would miss seeing it. Great view over the beach.

Not so pretty looking back to Rocky Cape with the wind whipping up the sea and rain starting to fall.

After lunch we headed off to explore Wynyard and Table Cape. Passed a deer farm.

As we headed towards the lighthouse on Table Cape we passed a flower farm. This area is covered in Tulips in September and October. At the moment it is Tiger Lillies.

The Table Cape Lighthouse built in 1888, stands 180 metres above sea level and is 25 metres high. It has a range of 32 nautical miles. It is $10 each to walk in so I just checked out the info boards. Steve stayed in the truck as the wind was howling and it was trying to rain.

Another info board about Table Cape and the Tulips. Table Cape was formed by a volcano over 13 million years ago providing the area with very rich soil.

Drove around further to the lookout over Wynyard. Great board showing the mountains. Even with the cloud we could make out most of them.

Zoomed in on Fossil Bluff.

Zoomed in on Burnie and Round Hill in the distance. There was a cruise boat docked.

Info board about Fossil Bluff.

We had to jump back into the truck as a rain squall came over and buffeted the truck. Got out after it passed and headed up the top of the Bluff to the lookout. Bit of a steeper walk then we thought!! Puff Puff!! Looking down over the mouth of the Inglis River and Wynyard.

Looking back to Table Cape lookout.

Back down to the beach to check out the fossils.

Lots of shell fossils.

Wandered over under the bluff.

Lots of shells impeded in the bluff.

Interesting seeing the different layers of rocks/dirt etc. The bottom layer is tillite, formed in the Permian period, about 280 million years ago, during an age of glaciations while Australia was part of the super continent, Gondwana Land. The fossils are impeded in the sandstone layer. The bluff was beneath the sea in the Oligocene geological period (about 38 million years ago.

Over to the other side of the beach to check out the fossils there. Looking back at the bluff.

All the rocks on the ground are impeded with shells.

Steve pulled this shell out of the cliff wall.

Drove into Wynyard past the Showgrounds. We heard that they will only allow motorhomes in there who are completely self-contained, but this caravan was there so maybe they are changing their tune as so many are passing Wynyard by. The sign says ‘absolutely no caravans!!’

Down by the river, the bricks are doing too well with the water on them.

Looking out the mouth of the Inglis River while we had a cuppa in the park in between showers.

Someone turning shipping containers into accommodation.

Called into the Info Centre (forgot to mention about the caravan in the showgrounds!!) They have a collection of old Ford vehicles but $8 each to have a look. Headed out, past this gypsy wagon.

Headed back to the van past a different type of wind turbine.

We drove past our van to check out the next area for vans – it was full too.

The tide was out, not as pretty as the beach view!!!

Text Leanne & Rick and Alan & Dianne to see how they were going and we were heading their way.  The news said there was a bad fire at Le Froy near Georgetown where Leanne & Rick were today.

Quiet night listening the sounds of the waves coming back into the bay.