Fri, 5th June, 2015 Garden Island, Clarence Point (Narawntapu National Park)

Overcast morning with a light breeze but the sun was peeking out at 9.30am as we headed off. Put leggings on though as it is a bit nippy and we are going walking. A big ship zipped past us.

Stopped at the ABTAS Seafoods place that we pass as we drive into Garden Island area. I asked the chap working there about it. They grow the abalone in the concrete tanks and sell them directly to the mainland for restaurants etc. The bottom of the tank is covered with half besser blocks.

Back down the road towards Beaconsfield we stopped to check out a monument I saw. It was the Anderson Creek Monument which marks the discovery of the creek by Ensign Robert Anderson in 1804, where 5 of the first settlers to the area from Norfolk Island, established farms.

Back up the road and we turned off to York Town. An information board and cairn but nothing else marking the area.

Then we noticed a sign saying 5 minute walk so we headed off.  In 2006 they uncovered the remains of Yorktown.

Found the site of the Government Garden. Not look too good now.

Then out into a cleared area where there was a cut out soldier and flag pole but the info boards were empty. There was a comments book so we left our comment – where’s the info boards gone!!

The only building here was this replica hut but there was no information about it. At least it was authentic looking with the slab cut timber.

The flower that was named after Paterson.

Continued along the road then onto a dirt road that looks like it was a logging road. Up and over The Dazzler Range then we turned off and headed towards Narawntapu National Park. It was the first Tasmanian Park to revert to an Aboriginal name which is the name for the Badger Head/West Head area. We were at one end of it near Greens Beach now we are at the other end.

Chatted with the park ranger as we picked up a map of the walks in the park. Decided to have lunch down at Bakers Beach. Great view west then east.

Looking out to the Bass Strait. The waves just kept rolling in even though there was no wind. Turned into a beautiful day.

After lunch headed off to walk for 45 minutes to Archers Knob for a view over the whole park. Up and over sand dunes where we could track all the different animals.

Even found a devil’s scat.

Along the edge of the lagoon that has a bird hide – but it was hiding!!

All the pademelons and wallabies were sleepy and soaking up the warm sunshine.

Nice walk.

Then we started up hill. It was a tighter zig zag track than the one up to Mt Barrow.

Great view though.

The track was eroded.

Up onto the top of the knob but we haven’t found the lookout yet.

The blackboys are growing well here.

Looking across to the Asbestos Ranges and the fire trails.

Found the lookout and sat down to enjoy the view and eat our apples.

Looking across to the range then around to the flat area around the National Park. Over the lagoon to North East Arm and Baker’s Point. Shell and Rabbit Island in the middle of the water. Port Sorell over the water then Griffiths Point on the sea side of the Park. Across the bay to the point on the west side with the island called ‘The Carbuncle’.

Zoomed in on Port Sorell, Shearwater and Hawley Beach area.

Then Shell and Rabbit Island.

Headed back down. Looking up to where we were on the knob.

Decided to walk down to Bakers Beach to walk back along it to the truck. The clouds have come over so it is a bit chilly now.

Steve pointing to where we had climbed.

We went all the way around the base of the knob then zig zagged up the side then walked around to the other side of it. We are sure there could have been a quicker walk to it!!

Should be a quicker walk back but we keep stopping to check out things. Huge cuttlefish.

Hundreds of shells. Collected a few more.

There are so many dead starfish. I tried to put this one back together.

Seaweed, coral etc.

A dead funny looking crab.

Beachcomber Steve found a new fishing rod.

Lots of timber too. Wonder where this cut log came from.

I found a complete scallop shell.

Hundreds of mussels and pippies.

The only birds are the Pied Oyster Catchers.

The sun trying to peek through again make a great photo.

Even found a tennis ball.

Found a great big shell but it had someone living in it so we threw it back into the sea.

At last we arrived back to where we had lunch up on the dune. Looking back to where we walked.

Drove around to check out the camp area at Koybaa and then to the next camp area called Springlawn Beach at Bakers Point. Nice enough. A pebbly beach with cute little flat pebbles.

Looking down the river then across to Port Sorell.

Then we went out to Griffiths Point – thought of Dave and Wendy here. A lot more rocks here that go out onto the point.

Looking across Penguin Islands then to Spy Island and The Carbuncle and Griffiths Point.

We are now at the westerly end of Bakers Beach.

Collected a few more little shells as we walked right out to the point.

Great view back to the beach then up the inlet.

As we headed out of the National Park the Forrester Kangaroos and Bennetts Wallabies were all in the paddocks.

Looking up at Archers Knob.

Back through the forestry road and back to the van. The central door lock is playing up on the truck so Steve pulled it apart. Looks like we have worn it out!!  It was still early (4pm) so Steve got the fire going. It was lovely to sit outside and enjoy the view.

Rang Alan and Dianne to work out when we will catch up before we leave. Rang Uncle John to confirm when we will be arriving on Wednesday. Had a great chat with Wendy.

A bit warmer tonight that we had the heater turned down low. At 11pm it was only 10.8 degrees outside.