South Coast Track - Day 5

Osmiridium Beach to Granite Beach

We had pushed on to Osmiridium Beach the previous day reducing walking time from this day. This day was supposed to be relatively short and easy. The walk took a bit longer than expected because of the climbs during the day and because walking across Granite Beach is a slow and tricky task.
Fortunately, at Granite Beach we had a relatively low tide which meant that we could do some walking below the rocks on the sand. On the parts of the beach where the rocks stretched to the water’s edge we had to rock hop every step of the way and this was both slow and tedious.

The next morning we went back and had a look a Granite Beach at high tide. We were thankful that we were not trying to traverse Granite Beach at high tide because to do so would have been difficult and dangerous.

We finished walking about 3pm and that gave us a chance to have a swim, a clean up and to dry some clothes.

Day 5 - Hill Profile

This, relatively short day was dominated by two climbs. The first climb was over an unnamed hill. The second was over a spur of the South Cape Range which we were to tackle in earnest the next day.

Drying Clothes at Osmiridian Beach campsite

We had taken the opportunity to have a clean off in the tannin stained creek and I used the opportunity to wash and try and dry some clothes.

Crap Photo of a Bennett's Wallaby

There should be a law that wildlife must stay still for photos. I am pretty sure this is a Bennett's Wallaby. They are pretty common in Tasmania.

Paul is a bit of a fungus and lichen nerd. This is an impressive growth.

One of the remarkable features of the South Coast Track is how many times the flora changes along the walk.

Paul looks pretty relaxed here.

Just before lunch, we had a quick and easy walk on the beach at Surprise Bay.

In the background you can see an arm of the South Cape Range which we crossed after lunch on the way to Granite Beach.

Paul enjoying the serenity.

Surprise Bay Beach

Surprise Bay Beach

We went up and over the hill at the end of the beach. We stopped and had lunch at the Surprise Bay Campsite at the end of the beach before making the climb.

There was kelp everywhere on the beaches on our walk.

Crossing Surprise Rivulet

On a number of occasions we had to cross streams and rivers crossing the beaches. You could ususally find a shallow spot near the water's edge to dance across without getting your feet wet.

We are now at the Surprise Bay campsite where we had lunch. The campsite had a whale vertebrae in it.

Packing up after lunch at Surprise Bay Campsite.

The Fluted Cliffs

The Fluted Cliffs are on the end of the South Cape Range.

Start of Granite Beach

John walking through a couple of granite pillars.

The Fluted Cliffs

The Fluted Cliffs

This is the start of our passage along Granite Beach.

You can see how the water is meeting the line of rocks. At this point you have little option but to rock hop the rest of the way to the campsite.

It was much faster to walk on the sand than the granite boulders, so when we had the chance we hurried along the sandy beach untill the next wave came in and forced us back ono the granite boulders.

From this point on we had to boulder hop the rest of the beach which was slow and tedious. Fortunately, it was low tide because the beach pretty much disappears at high tide.

I found this fossil as I was rock hopping over the granite boulders,

Sandstone Creek

This aptly named Sandstone Creek, was our water supply for the night.

Granite Beach Campsite

This is where you leave the beach for the camspite which is about 20m above the beach. You can see the marker above and to the right of David.

View of Granite Beach

This photo was taken from our campsite above Granite Beach.

Grantie Beach Campsite

Our ritual when we get to a campsite is pretty much the same. Put up the tents, get water and then sit down and have a relaxing soup.

This is an Australian native equivalent to the rat. These cute looking marsupials are a bushwalker's nightmare since they eat through anything looking for food. On a recent bushwalk they even ate through David's breakfast bowl.

Antechinus lurking

This adorable looking bastard was waiting for us to go to sleep so he could wreak havoc.

Sunset over Granite Beach

Paul slipped out of camp at sunset to capture this view over Granite Beach.

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