Australian Hiker

Start: 8:00am

Finish: 5:45pm

Distance 23km

Today was the last of my beach days and boy was it a hard one! The guidebook says that this is a quicker option but don’t believe it. The difficulty is very dependent on the weather/sea conditions and while I had less impact than yesterday because of incoming tides, the sand was marginally softer and it was slow going.

Part of the reason for the trip duration was me doing social media. Once I hit the beach, I spent about 30 minutes posting before heading off, not something the typical hiker has to deal with.

Today was again dominated by birds on the beach including plovers, oyster catchers, and various gull species. I did also see a Black Wallaby once I turned inland.

The turnoff inland was almost right at the end of the beach before the bay wraps to the right on a very steep section of sand. I must admit to a false start that also cost me some time here.

The turn off from the beach is not vertical but it is steep. I found that using my poles to help drag me up and with using hikers previous footsteps did help but it was slow going. There was also a piece of rope hanging down but by the time you get there you were almost at a plateau. Note I didn’t say top here because there was another easier short ascent immediately after.

Now for the bad news! After achieving the summit which does provide good views to the ocean and to the nearby caves you then have to descend an equally steep section of sand to the pathway below. It’s easier but I know a lot of hikers don’t like the descents like this including me.

From there you are back onto normal coastal bushland trail as you weave your way towards your destination. Not long after exiting the beach you will reach a crossroads that directs you to your chosen destination and in my case Springs Camp another 6.5km on! The remainder of this walk takes you past a wind farm and initially through lower elevations dominated by wattle in a sandy but firm footpath.

You eventually ascend to the cliff top that provides scenic views of the ocean and beach below. In this upper section you will pass petrified trees (the image on this post was the best example). This upper section goes up a down and if you are energetic and it’s warm enough, there is even a route down to a very nice looking beach.

I arrived at Springs Camp before dark and was greeted by three other hikers I have been following. They chose the inland route which I was originally going to do but because I opted for the coastal route, it allowed me to catch up. This will mean a couple of nights of shared camping.

The Springs Campsite is very much on the end of the headland that you have been approaching all day and it’s tucked into a small gully that provides protection from the ocean winds although you can still hear the waves.

This campsite is typical of the others on this trail but for some reason the table in the shelter is square, not rectangular, and is also too far away from the benches to comfortably eat. The campsite is well surfaced with grass and being away from water bodies was nice and warm compared to the previous nights and with minimal condensation on the tent.

Supposedly we have a cafe on-trail tomorrow and given I have been thinking about food more than I usually do, I am looking forward to a non-camping meal. You will hear the scream if they aren’t open!