3 Capes

Spectacular coastline, well maintained tracks, impressive cabins, varied weather and new friends - that about sums up the 3 Capes.

Day 1

We were transported by boat from Port Arthur to Denmans Cove, exploring coves and ancient cliffs, sighting a sea eagle and dolphins on the way.

Once deposited at Denmans Cove we stopped a while to eat some lunch and enjoy the scenery. Colin went for a swim of course.

We were lucky enough to have blue skies for the start of our trek.

A short 4km later (mostly uphill) we arrived at Surveyors cabin

Day 2

Forests, heathlands and moorlands. Spring time meant lots of wildflowers too.

A climb up to Arthurs Peak and a view across Crescent Bay to Cape Raoul

A side track to a camping ground. (all that way down and now a long way up to return to the main track), alas, no creek or swimming hole for Colin, so disappointing

But it was kind of nice lying there watching the trees sway in the breeze, and 10 minutes later clouds racing by

Finally the end and what a view from Munro cabin

Day 3

Forecast - strong wind warning, gusts over 65km, possible hail and snow down to 600 metres.

Epic views and plunging cliffs (and yippee you get to leave your packs at Munro for a whole 16km, collecting them later in the day before continuing on to Retakunna cabin)

I almost got blown off this path on the return journey

Tasman Island at the end of The Blade, Cape Pillar

A stormy, moody coastline today, but still staggeringly beautiful

We were not sure we would be able to climb The Blade, luckily there was a lull between fronts, the wind dropped and we climbed to the top. Cape Pillar.

Yep, we climbed to the top of that 

a view from the top (that's Steve)

A front coming through. We ate our lunch here just as it started to hail

Day 4

A whole lots of steps

But first a walk through leafy greens and moss and up to the top of Mount Fortescue

Morning Tea time

Out to Cape Huay, the way ahead

In-between

The way behind

The view on the way

A view from the end of Cape Huay

Backtrack and down to Fortescue Bay and that is the end.

And of course Colin had a swim in the frigid water. (I was too busy finding the toilet to capture the moment)

It was a fantastic four days, made all the more enjoyable by the company. Ironically we ended up spending a lot of time with two couples, one from Torquay and the other from Ballarat who have a holiday house at Point Lonsdale! (Thanks Steve and Michelle, Tim and Serrin for letting us gate crash) The coastline, sheer cliffs and varied terrain were amazing. We saw plenty of birds and lizards, a wallaby, an echidna and a tiger snake. We experienced blue skies and sun, wind, rain and hail. We had sore and tired bodies, were revived by miso soup and wine at the end of the day (wine, thanks to our new found friends who were prepared to carry goon and willing to share). The wind howled one night, there was a warm bush shower one night, the long drop was a cold walk every night.

The 3 Capes is a fantastic first foray into multi day hiking. It was an incredible, memorable experience.