Day 44 -Triabunna to Coles Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula

We awoke to the sound of a south westerly wind which put the death knell to any thoughts we might have had for the cruise around Maria Island.  So we packed up to try our luck with the Freycinet Peninsula.

120415 Map of the area of interest 12-15 April

112km later we arrived at Coles Bay at the end of the bitumen road in the Freycinet National Park.  On the way we passed through Little Swanport, several other very small villages and the largest town in the region, Swansea.  For a large part of the trip we were looking across Great Oyster Bay to the Freycinet Peninsular and Schouten Island at its southern end.

120415 Sign at the Waterloo Headland near Swansea.
Couldn't pronounce the name

120415 Schouten Passage between Schouten Island and the
Freycinet Peninsula taken from Swansea 

120415 The Waterloo Headland at Swansea

120415 From Swansea looking towards Nine Mile Beach

120415 Freycinet Peninsula across the head of Great Oyster Bay

The Spikey Bridge was a surprise to us.  We could not fit into the parking area to photograph the bridge so we have opted for a third party photo.

120415 The Spikey Bridge near Swansea

120415 The Spikey Bridge near Swansea

It's just a bridge but it's pretty cool. Built by convicts in 1843, this bridge abruptly pops out of the landscape to baffle passers-by with its odd design. The bridge was constructed from field stones laid without mortar or cement and the parapet features field stones laid vertically, giving the bridge a spiky appearance.It's claimed that the spikes were designed to prevent cattle falling over the sides of the bridge, though no one really knows if this is true. 

We passed several vineyards and orchards.  There were several growing walnuts.

120415 Olive grove plus orchards, including for walnuts, near Swansea

The entry to Coles Bay is dominated by The Hazards, a spectacular range comprising Mt Amos, Mt Dove (485m), Mt Baudin and Mt Parsons.  They mark the start of the southern portion of the Freycinet Peninsula.

120415 The Hazards on the road into Coles Bay

The south westerly wind was howling across Great Oyster Bay as we walked from our caravan park around to the wharf/harbour. The Hazards were quite a sight up close.

120415 Muirs Beach on Coles Bay

120415 The coast of Coles Bay with The Hazards in the background

120415 The coast of Coles Bay with The Hazards in the background

120415 Portion of The Hazards

120415 Remainder of The Hazards - too big for one photograph

120415  The harbour at  Coles Bay

We have decided to try our luck with a cruise around the Freycinet Peninsula in two days time, weather, of course, permitting.  The sun was out for most of today but the wind was bitterly cold.

120415 The craft for the Freycinet Peninsula cruise - if the weather improves