I thought it would be best to do the hike in the morning before it got too hot...plus the car park completely fills up during high season and you would need to also hike in to the start of the actual hike. With water in hand, suntan lotion and bug spray applied, hikers on, and camera in hand I headed out to see what everyone was going on about this beach in Australia...and trust me I wasn't disappointed. The first lookout was of Coles Bay...it's hard to describe the water colour here...an absolute stunning colour blue.
Next stop Wineglass Bay Outlook...beautiful blue water with white sandy beach in the shape of a half circle. Pretty impressive I must say...super happy that I came early because the small lookout area would get pretty busy fairly quickly.
At this point I decided to do the trek down to the actual beach at Wineglass Bay. Lots of rock stairs, down, down and further down...I think my joints were in shock by the end of it and my knee was debating if it wanted to give out or not. The trails are very well developed, however you do need to pay attention...very difficult when you want to look at everything...and the path was mostly enclosed by trees, rocks and dirt. Hard to believe, but it's very dry in Australia at the moment!
As I got closer to the end of the path I could hear the waves and from time to time I could see glimpses of the blue water and white beach. As I came to the opening at the end of the path, what a spectacular view.
White sandy beach that was very soft to walk on, waves crashing in on the rocks to the side and kids jumping in the waves at the center...why I didn't think to bring my bathing suit escapes me.
I found a spot on the beach to relax, enjoy the sun and the beauty of the area. I really felt at this point that I found a little piece of heaven in this remote beach in a secluded bay.
I spent the next hour enjoying the sounds of the waves....love, love, love...and just doing nothing. At about noon I decided I should probably head back since it was getting hot...about 23-26 degrees...and I needed to hike back up the rocks I just came down...yiikkkeess!! I must say it took everything in me to leave.
The hike up was intense and very hot. I decided to take it really slow not to get too dehydrated. I finally made it to the top, had a rest and then had to head back down to the car park. A nice stroll, with a bit of a breeze...great to be out walking and getting some exercise.
I headed off at around 1:30pm for my next destination...Launceston. I am staying there because there were no accommodations in Cradle Mountain. I decided to take a longer scenic route along the shore line to see what I might find...and once again I was not disappointed.
About 30 minutes away I came across the most amazing beach I have ever seen...and that is saying a lot coming from a bit of a beach snob! It was called Davison's Conservation Area and to this day I can not understand why there were no people there....maybe 15 people and a couple dogs.
I was this huge stretch of very wide pure white sand beach...not a speck of seaweed and very little shells. The waves were crashing in so you could go surfing, there was a rivulet if you wanted warmer and calmer water to swim in, and dogs were allowed off leash in some sections...pure perfection, and that's no exaggeration! Definitely rivals PEI beaches on all fronts...and the water temperature is very similar to home.
I walked up the beach for about a half an hour...I even came across this lonely little beach chair...and then headed back. I could have stayed here forever!!! I can even say it was more beautiful than Wineglass Bay and it was completely empty...this was definitely a HUGE piece of heaven for me!!!
I reluctantly left and travelled along some very rural countryside...lots of farming, cows and sheep. I travelled across Elephant Pass which I believe took me over a mountain...on an extremely twisty road with no room on either side...it was very beautiful with all the valleys and mountains/hills. I even came across a crazy heard of cows that was also mixed in with a huge number of sheep...I love photographing cows; such personality.
Eventually I stopped for some ice cream in a tiny town about an hour outside Launceston. While there I somehow ended up agreeing to drive this women who is doing a 6 day hike of Cradle Mountain starting tomorrow...not sure how that actually happened, but it did. I'm picking her up on my way tomorrow to Cradle Mountain....should be interesting.
I arrived in Launceston at 6:30pm ready for a nap...a bit too much sun today...and in need of a shower. I am staying at the Arthouse hostel...not too bad, but the front reception guy was amazing. Looking forward to checking out Cradle Mountain tomorrow and doing another hike before the rain comes in on Thursday.
Until then...
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