Port Davey

[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:

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

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

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.

[Pedro]

The next morning, we climbed Mt Milner, immediately behind Bramble Cove:

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:

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

[Pedro]

Mount Rugby is an excellent day walk. We started early from Claytons Corner:

Parked in Iola Cove:

and it turned into a perfect day:

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!

[Pedro]

A trip to Melaleuca was mandatory:

As is mooring on the Melaleuca's mooring piles:

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

[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:

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

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:

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

[ILUVSWTAS]

Ahhh so jealous! Awesometrip Pedro. I'd just love to dive in there!!

[rohjoe]

Thanks for the wonderful photos Pedro. It would be hard to imagine a more magnificent way to experience the South West.
Cheers,
Rohan

[bushrunner]

Wow.

[stepbystep]

Wow.

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

[Mickeymoo]

Fantastic Pedro, looks like an awsome trip, pity the low beer supplies forced you to head back

[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

[Nick S]

Love that view from Mt Stokes!

[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

[frank_in_oz]

Great stuff, many thanks for sharing your fantastic trip.