Year One
Date: 7/4/2008 11.00
Weather: Beautiful.
Location: Schooner Cove, Bathurst Channel 43'20S 146'00E
Author: Peter

The area surrounding Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey is a well weathered landscape. It is obvious looking at the mountainous surrounds that this area is buffeted by some extreme weather. The mountain peaks are simply scoured rock, a little lower you tend mainly to find the hills covered in button grass. The trees cling in small groves in gully's and behind cliffs while those that are exposed are crooked and gnawed (a bonsai artists dream creation). The waters, although clear, are black, like black ink, stained by the continuous tannin run off from the button grass. It can be a little eerie to travel through as the light only penetrates about 400mm into the water and you have no idea what you are about to run into when in the duck.

On Saturday, the weather finally cleared so we finally got to use the legs a bit! We spent the morning attempting to dry out the interior and do some much needed laundry. After lunch we hopped in the dinghy and motored around to Claytons Corner where the National Parks and Wildlife maintains a historical dwelling. Our first steps ashore were in a lush forest, dripping with water, a plush pile carpet of moss covering the ground, and a spongy feel to ones step. Just stunning.



While reading the visitors book in the old house we discovered another boat had been tied to the jetty we just landed on for the hurricane winds.

A walking track behind the house leads to two walks. We initially just took the short track up a small rolly hill as we were both feeling a bit lethargic. It was just a short stroll (about 20 minute return) with a view over the Bathurst Harbour and our yacht sitting off Kings Point.





The second track is a more substantial walk up to the top of Mt Beattie and after walking back to the house we thought we should just 'have a look at the state of the track' and maybe would come back tomorrow to do this walk. Having once started we just kept going and going. Up the back of a small ridge completely enclosed by the surrounding forest, across a small marsh land before emerging back out into the light on the button grass. A hour later we were at the top and grateful for our sea boots as the entire mountain was on the move, with water flowing absolutely everywhere and deep puddles along the well worn track.



Click to enlarge pic


Click to enlarge pic

On Sunday we motored over to the 'Old River' (43 19S, 146 13E) on the opposite side of Bathurst Harbour before taking the dinghy about 1 1/2 miles up the river to the first set of rapids.



We then bush bashed along an old track through dense fern undergrowth to check out a remaining stand of ship building grade huon pine and celery top. Given some of these trees were greater than 450mm in diameter that puts them at about 4500 years old. Amazing to think these have been around since before the new calendar. It is just mind boggling to even contemplate that long.




Warm lunch at the rapids


After lunch at the rapids we headed back to the yacht and back into the Bathurst Channel before anchoring at Clytie Cove (43 20s, 146 05E) for the night to the trickling sounds of three small waterfalls terminating in the bay.

Bathurst Harbour



Sunset at Clytie Cove

Mt Rugby

Monday morning saw a perfect sun rise and a crisp clear autumn day. After some routine house keeping we were back off exploring in the duck. Joan Point, the western side of the bay along with Farrell Point, its opposite shore, house a pair of 12ft row boats that the hikers using the main walking track use to cross the Bathurst Channel. In good weather it is easy to see why so many walkers would visit the area.

After lunch we once again upped anchor, on a calm and glassy afternoon and made our way a short distance further back down the Channel to Schooner Cove.

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