Dolomieu Point

Saturday 8th April 2017

Dolomieu Point

Unfortunately for us, Forestry had been doing fuel reductions burns over a wide area in the south and the sky was fairly smoky, which made some of the photos a bit hazy, but it was still a good walk. It is 6 years since I last did this walk. How time flies.
The walk starts at Fortescue Bay and to get there just head down towards Port Arthur and take the obvious turnoff a few kms. past Taranna. The gravel road is severely potholed but is 2WD.
We set off along the beach and soon left it on to the track.

Fortescue Bay

Fortescue Bay

Fortescue Bay with Dolomieu Point in the distance

Fortescue Bay

It was easy walking and we soon found a nice rocky outcrop to stop for morning tea.

From rest stop

From rest stop

It did not take long before we arrived at Canoe Bay where there is the wreck of the William Pitt.
The William Pitt
About halfway along the track you will come to Canoe Bay, where the remains of a shipwreck can be clearly seen above the waterline. Built in the UK in 1904, the ship was a steam hopper barge named Andre Reboulas,  later sold to the Dutch.
In 1907 she was renamed William Pitt and sold in Melbourne. She came to Hobart in 1940 for use in the construction of the floating Arch Bridge across the Derwent River. She was later scuttled in 1955 to act as a breakwater for small craft in Canoe Bay.

William Pitt

Canoe Bay

Cape Hauy from Canoe Bay

William Pitt

 There is a quaint suspension bridge to cross which used to have a sign on either end displaying the carrying capacity of the bridge, but they have been removed. It used to be 1 person with backpack.
 After this there was a climb up and then a descent into Bivouac Bay where there is a camping ground and toilet. The camping ground was unoccupied.

Track between Canoe and Bivouac Bays

Bivouac Bay

After Bivouac Bay there was a bit of a climb up to Dolomieu Point where there are great views from the high cliffs. We went to the lookout rocks and then down to where the rock climbers go over the edge where we had lunch.

Thumbs Point from lookout

From lookout

Thumbs Point

Coastal Cliffs

After lunch we headed back and started to encounter a few people as we went along. As we were getting closer to Fortescue Bay we met a group of scouts heading up to camp at Bivouac Bay.

A smoky Cape Hauy

Northern end Fortescue Bay

This is a really good walk with fantastic coastal scenery. Of course there is the option of only walking to Canoe or Bivouac Bays but then the grandeur of the sea cliffs will be missed.
Distance: 12.9 kms.
Time: 4'54" (3'45" when I did it solo 6 years ago)
Ascent: 560 metres
Click here to download GPX file.