12 Nov 2010 - Freycinet National Park to St Helens

This morning we got up to look at clouds and a concern for rain.  However, we also had determined to have a look at Wineglass Lookout, Wineglass Bay Beach, and Hazard’s Beach by walking the 11 km trail from Freycinet National Park.  I am happy to announce that the threat of rain was more a threat then a reality.  We started with all our rain gear in place but very shortly took those layers off.

The trailhead started at a car park in the park which provides a variety of treks for individuals from a short trek to the Wineglass Lookout and back (about 1 ½ hours) to the full circuit hike of 11 kms described as a 5 hour circular hike.  Guess which we took!

The trail was extremely hiker friendly although the lonely planet book told us that there were 600 steps up to the lookout.  The lookout is at the top of the ridge between two mountains (on the right is Mount Mayson) which was a steady climb.  However there had been a lot of work done to use rocks to create very good steps so for those who are capable of climbing stairs it was not a difficult hike.  On the hike up we came to what Wes refers to as the hollow Easter egg rock.  The picture shows Wes squatting down so we can see his face, but he was actually able to stand fully upright in the rock.

 However, we both noticed how warm we were by the time we reached the lookout -but what a view. To the right we can see the Isthmus and Lagoon that we will be walking by later.  To the front is open to the sea and finally to the right is the edge of the bay.

After we left this lookout we started down the path to the Wineglass Bay Beach and I do mean it was a steep downhill and the trail was not as manicured as before. 

However it was still a really good trail.  At one point we caught up to a group of people chatting and looking at a Wallabies beside the path.  Before we finished the hike we had come across several wild Wallabies with joeys (babies).  Unfortunately they were not as cooperative for picture taking so the only picture of have with a joey is a bit blurry.

Once we left this beach we followed the path across the Isthmus to Hazard’s Beach passing Hazard’s Lagoon (a salt water swamp I am told).  Hazard’s beach is another beach that has very fine sand, very clean and beautiful.  Along the beach we saw a large variety of shells and I was tempted to collect a few – but did not for obvious reasons.

Finally we continued to the end of Hazard’s Beach to continue around Mount Mayson.  We continue to have incredible views of Coles Bay and Honeymoon Bay.  We completed this trek in less than 4 hours including taking a lunch break.  As we drove out of the car park we noticed a wallaby with a joey sitting in her pouch with his head out.  What a great picture it would have been but because of traffic and no place to stop, we were not able to get the picture.

Now we have the drive to St Helen’s to look for a campsite for the night.  We had stayed at a National Park site last night and learned that we really preferred private ones with a Camp Kitchen.  We found a Big 4 (like a KOA) and it is very nice although it costs a bit more.  While we had dinner we were delighted to have other campers there as well so we had a good conversation about Canada and Australia.  Part of the experience is getting to know and talk to people in our travels.

After dinner we walked down to the St Helen’s Bay for a stroll along the walk way.  We found some pelican, and several interesting flowers.