MAY 2018 : TASMANIA : THREE CAPES WALK : Day 1 : Denmans Cove - Surveyors Hut - 4kms - 2 hours.

Day 1 : Denmans Cove - Surveyors Hut - 4km - 2 hours

                                                                                                                                              

Following the path of thousands of walkers we have booked to experience the newly completed Three Capes Walk (2016). Conveniently it is only an hour and a half from Hobart, and a boat ride across the bay from the historic Port Arthur settlement (1830-1877). It is a four day, three night adventure with excellent huts and facilities for up to 48 self-catering walkers. May was the first opportunity for us to book our places as it was completely booked out until then. We were prepared for a range of weather possibilities as the track is exposed and prone to Antarctic winds and rain. Fortunately, against a wet and windy forecast, we had four days of mild conditions with perfect views of the coast and pleasant walking temperatures, around 21oC. One of the walkers was from the Park Service in Victoria and she said although this walk was rated Moderate by its creators, she would rate it a 4 for the length and ascents/descents, despite being on solid tracks and boardwalks. So some training is needed if you are not particularly fit or experienced.

The ascents and descents

We left from Constitutional Dock on a clear Autumn morning

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys provide a bus to Port Arthur for about $40.

We stopped to enjoy the view of Fortescue Bay, which is the final destination for the 4 days.

Two capes can be seen as well - Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.

Leaving Port Arthur.

Well prepared for a wet crossing and cruise around the Port.

Huge mudstone cliffs with lots of seabirds, particularly Black-faced Cormorants, native to the area.

Landing at Denmans Cove.

The official beginning of The Three Capes walk.

Immediately we found a pristine environment with small native plants.

Coast pink berry

Silver banksia

 Views across bay to Mount Brown. The mudstone cliffs glowing in the afternoon sun.

We were impressed with the recently created track, safe and sensitive to the surrounding bush land.

Board walks

Purple apple berry

Surveyors Cove with views across to Port Arthur settlement

Shell-shaped fungi

Arriving at Surveyors Hut

The beautifully designed building

Our room - all to ourselves! Each of the huts has the same number of room and beds are pre-assigned.

Normally there is a full complement of 48 walkers but our group numbers only 32, as we are at the end of the season.

Well-equipped kitchens and even a gas barbecue

Toilet block

Sunset

Joel, the ranger at Surveyors Hut, welcomes the group and gives information about the track and details for the next day.

Some friendly family groups, friends, single walkers and couples. This was a family from Toronto.

The kitchen area is heated by a slow combustion stove fed with compressed sawdust pellets.

A friendly atmosphere and excellent start for us.

M&M