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Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 7:12 pm
by Pedro
Its been a fantastic summer and we were lucky enough to spend three weeks of it in Port Davey and Bathurst Harbour. In late January, we loaded Honey Bee with stacks of food, beer, wine and our walking kit. Then it was off to Recherche to wait for the right weather. With the right forecast, we set off at 3:00am and were rewarded with a stunning Southern Ocean sunrise:

Southern Ocean Sunrise.JPG


The early morning views were a delight, the more since we weren't carrying packs over what we were seeing:

South Cape with PB looming.JPG


It was great to watch the Ironbounds slide passed - no early morning slog up that slope for us today

The Ironbounds.JPG


By 3:00pm we were in Bramble Cove, safe behind Breaksea and ready to join some fellow sailors in a relaxing beer.

None of that qualifies as bushwalking, but its not a bad way to get to where the walking is.

Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 7:37 pm
by Pedro
The next morning, we climbed Mt Milner, immediately behind Bramble Cove:

Above Bramble Cove.JPG


The next 3 weeks were spent climbing mountains, dinghying up rivers, visiting Melaleuca, walking to New Harbour and working our way through the beer and wine.

A fishing boat needed 2 stroke fuel - we traded for crays:

Crayfish in Clytie Cove.jpg


From Claytons Corner we walked up Mt Beattie. For a short walk, the view was stunning:

The Bathurst Narrows from Mt Beattie.jpg

Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 7:45 pm
by Pedro
Mount Rugby is an excellent day walk. We started early from Claytons Corner:

Early morning start for Mt Rugby.JPG


Parked in Iola Cove:

Leaving Iola Cove to climb Mt Rugby.JPG


and it turned into a perfect day:

Bathurst Harbour from Mt Rugby.JPG


A few days later we ran into Ken Collins, who was also sailing in the area in his beautiful wooden yacht. Now we have an autographed copy of South West Tasmania!

Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 7:53 pm
by Pedro
A trip to Melaleuca was mandatory:

Heading up Melaleuca Inlet.JPG


As is mooring on the Melaleuca's mooring piles:

In Melaleucas Berth.JPG


Blue Boat came down over the Lagoon to join us for dinner:

Blue Boat.JPG

Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 8:03 pm
by Pedro
If you are a fan of the Craggs, then you will understand that the line:

"Cruising through the Narrows on a warm and sunny day"

now means quite a lot to us:

Cruising through the Narrows on a warm and sunny day.jpg


One of our last walks was Mount Stokes. The view of Breaksea and Port Davey was breathtaking:

BrambleCove from Mt Stokes.jpg


We were reluctant to leave, but the beer supplies were getting low. We made another 3:00 am start and rounded South West Cape just in time to see the sunrise behind Maatsuyker - a very spectacular finale:
Sunrise over Maatsuyker.jpg


So now, Honey Bee is back on her mooring in Cygnet, but not for long - its time for a tropical run.

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 8:18 pm
by ILUVSWTAS
Ahhh so jealous! Awesometrip Pedro. I'd just love to dive in there!!

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 8:20 pm
by rohjoe
Thanks for the wonderful photos Pedro. It would be hard to imagine a more magnificent way to experience the South West. :D
Cheers,
Rohan

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Wed 17 Mar, 2010 9:39 pm
by bushrunner
Wow.

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Thu 18 Mar, 2010 6:40 am
by stepbystep
bushrunner wrote:Wow.

Double that.
This is a must do before I depart this mortal coil, thanks Pedro.

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Thu 18 Mar, 2010 7:53 am
by Mickeymoo
Fantastic Pedro, looks like an awsome trip, pity the low beer supplies forced you to head back :)

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Thu 18 Mar, 2010 12:27 pm
by bcshort
Fantastic
Almost certain I saw you down around the corner from Clayton's Landing on Monday? We came in via Par Avion on a day trip and had lunch out at Brambles Cove

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Thu 18 Mar, 2010 3:51 pm
by Nick S
Love that view from Mt Stokes!

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Sun 21 Mar, 2010 11:59 pm
by tas-man
That panorama from Mt Beattie is beaudy - I can just imagine a large framed version in my Living Room - causing permanent SW longings every time I looked at it :roll:

Re: Port Davey

PostPosted: Mon 22 Mar, 2010 5:42 am
by frank_in_oz
Great stuff, many thanks for sharing your fantastic trip.