Ok, in between the second post and the one that follows I had some medical issues which delayed my departure but finally I got on the road.

On the Road

A bit of a spell since the last post.  The neck is healed and the final packing went well.  What follows is an account of my first week on the road.  Happy reading.

Wednesday March 28 to Wednesday April 3

On the road to Swansea by around lunch time with an ice cream stop at Triabunna.

 

As you can see I have almost everything and yes that includes the kitchen sink!

Arrived at Jim and Gayle’s onsite van mid-afternoon and settled in for the Easter break.  The plan was to spend the holidays at the park and wait till the “crowds” had headed home before venturing around to Coles Bay.  Great spot Swansea and although the wind was prevalent the days were mild with refreshing nights.  I was joined by Ainslie and Roz for a couple of days as they enjoy their fishing and the flat head and squid accommodated their enthusiasm.                                                                  Sunrise over the Hazards from Swansea beach.

I enjoyed daily walks utilising a very pleasant beach, coastal, town circuit with some variations.  I also visited some local waterfalls which unfortunately due to a lack of rain over the last few months were “water less”.  Note: only visit waterfalls if there is water.

Wednesday April 3 to Sunday 7 April

If you are visiting Coles Bay and are wanting somewhere to park you caravan, motorhome, camper trailer or set up your tent then I highly recommend the River and Rocks free camp site about 6ks north of the Coles Bay township (Camps 6 Tassie Section camp no. 39 or co-ordinates 42 05 12 S  148 14 03 E).

 

 

There is a central “communal” type area with room for big rigs surrounded by individual and somewhat secluded sites all with their own wood fire and bbq plate.  Note you need to bring everything as there is no water or firewood on site.  Be prepared for fine dusty black soil especially after heavy usage as any grass coverage can be a bit thin.  There are toilets but unfortunately they were not useable after being hammered over the Easter break.

There is a boat ramp at Swanick, about 2ks down the road, which will give the fisherpersons among you access the Great Swan Port Lagoon.  There are two boat ramps at Coles bay that will give you access to Great Oyster Bay.

Coles Bay town ship has a bakery, tavern, 2 supermarkets and one fuel station.  For some reason best known to the proprietors of the fuel stop unleaded was $1.78/ltr diesel $1.75/ltr while 50ks down the road at Swansea unleaded was $1.57.  That’s a lot of freight for 50ks!!!  Water was available from a tap at the Community Centre.

Rivers and Rocks is a great base from which to explore the delights of Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park.  A day entry pass is $24 per car for up to eight people and must be displayed at all times.  What to see mmm….. where to start?  I have lived in Tassie all my life and this was my first visit to this area so I was a bit overwhelmed by all the options.  Walks and amazing scenery are what’s on offer.

Wine Glass Bay Lookout and Beach with return to the car park via Hazards Beach and a coastal track.

This walk is around 12ks and took me (at 57 and slightly out of condition) around 5 hours including stops to soak up the views etc.  I was joined by a young couple from Queensland who kept the pace steady so I think the time was down to them (thanks Andy and Trish).

The track from the car park to the lookout is very well made, takes you past some magnificent red granite boulder outcrops and is very steep in places with lots of steps and, being to a lookout, is ascending.

 

 
 

The iconic view once you get to the lookout

 

Once you leave the lookout you can return via the same track to your car or you can go down to the beach at Wine Glass Bay.  Again, the track is well constructed with lots of steps which left my knees and calf muscles a bit sore but boy oh boy was it worth it.  Note the crowds and this was after Easter!!!.

 

Again, you can return to your car via the same track but if you have made it this far I would recommend you take the isthmus track which brings you out onto Hazards beach on the opposite side of the peninsula to Wine Glass Bay.  Walk along this beautiful beach and pick up the undulating track that takes you around the coast back to the car park.  This also provides you numerous sweeping views of Great Oyster Bay with Swansea in the distance and lovely views of Coles Bay.

 

 Take something to eat, water and wear “sensible shoes”(I am yet to encounter a “stupid shoe” although I do know some “silly souls”)

Cape Tourville

If you want to be stunned by coastal scenery then this 5k drive off the main road is a must.  The road is sealed with heavily broken edges, narrow, and very steep in places and I would not recommend towing a caravan or camper trailer (another reason to set your base up at River and Rocks).  Once you reach the light house car park don’t miss the 700 meter cliff top walk on a very well-constructed flat track with securely fenced boardwalks.  The views are well……… a picture is worth a thousand words……….

 



 

 On the way into or out of the Cape take the time to stop at the Sleepy Bay car park and enjoy a pretty coastal walk to the lovely little granite sand beach with some rock formations to equal those on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

On your journey back to camp call into Richardson’s beach just before the Parks Info Centre.  More great photo opportunities.  Another interesting detour is into Swanick to have a look at the “holiday houses” and the view along 9 mile beach at Dolphin Sands.

Friendly Beaches

Wow, if you are into beaches and walking then they are very friendly indeed!!!

You can camp here by booking and paying at the National Parks office in Coles Bay.  The sites are well constructed but smallish.  Clean and modern toilet facilities are available but no water.

All up 9 out of 10 and that’s just the first week!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where to Now?

Back to Hobart for more training on the 8^th and 9^th.  I have decided to get to the big island sooner rather than later and give the west coast a miss at this stage.  Went on-line to the Spirit of Tasmania site to book a passage for the 12^th only to discover that it is booked out for vehicles until April 26 !!!  Quick call to the Customer Service Centre resulted in me being put on a waiting list for cancellations on the 16^th.  I still booked for the 26^th as it seems it is the annual migration season for Tassie grey nomads!!!

Not sure what I will do in the meantime.  The west coast might still be an option unless anyone needs, a bar worker, clerk, forklift driver, handyman, gardener etc etc in the interim???