Wind warnings, sheep graziers warnings,
gale warnings, bushwalkers warnings, the day we went out to hike to
Cape Raoul there was every kind of warning you can imagine issuing
from the Bureau of Meteorology. I like bad weather hiking. It
toughens you up and reminds you all of life is not meant to be easy,
and, there is something wonderful about witnessing raw nature. Doug
prefers fair weather hiking, but was easily persuaded out on this day
as we were hoping to see some big swells pounding the cliffs of Cape
Raoul, and, maybe, just maybe, Shipstern Bluff would be pumping.
Looking along the coast towards Shipstern Bluff
The start of the 7 km walking track to
Cape Raoul was a bit of a long drive from our house-sit. We knew it
would be, knew we would hate sitting in the car for that long, and
purposefully did not work out exactly how long it would take so that
we wouldn't wimp out. Long walks, long kayaks, long climbs, no
problem, long drives, big problem. We did eventually arrive at the
end of the road and start of the walking track. A blustery wind was
blowing and gray clouds were scudding across the sky.
Rainbow over dolerite columns at Cape Raoul
This is Tasmania, so there is some mud
to contend with, but not deep mud, and not that much. Within a
kilometre, the mud zone is pretty much passed and the track climbs
onto the shoulder of Mount Raoul and approaches the coastal sea
cliffs. There is a lookout over the ocean where Shipstern Bluff
comes into view, sadly, not “going off” today as the wind, while
strong, has been too westerly to bring in the huge swells.
Mount Raoul above a small tarn on the coastal plateau
A short walk across a eucalpytus
plateau and then the track drops down onto the broad coastal plain
and heathland to the long promontory that ends at Cape Raoul. All
along this section of the walk there are fantastic views of the sea
cliffs, and Mount Raoul above a small tarn. Near the end, the track
bifurcates and each arm leads to a wonderful vantage point out over
the Tasman Sea, across to Tasman Island and Cape Pillar, Mount Brown
and West Arthur Head. In calmer, warmer weather, you could sit and
dangle your legs over the ocean watching sea lions below, or, you
could head out on a wild and windy day as we did, and do some storm
watching. Either way, this walk won't disappoint.
Doug holds on at Cape Raoul
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