Bicheno…Bichen-yes!
Given the fact we were still stiff and sore from our epic Cape walk (come to think of it, maybe that was just me), the revelation that today we’d be undertaking another hike was a tad daunting.
We all wanted to see the view at the top of the Wineglass Bay track but we weren’t keen for another exhausting climb.
Before we had gone to bed last night it was settled, we’d opt for a late afternoon walk today and hit the beach after breakfast. Toby whipped us all up some delicious eggs for breakfast and Sam made espressos, while we pondered how the order of our day should unfold. It was all up for fresh debate. We had to work out if we wanted an early walk and then a relaxing beach afternoon or a cruisy beach morning and a later hike leading into sunset. One thing we all agreed on; we didn’t want to be hauling ourselves up a mountain in the hottest part of the day.
By the time we eventually came to a decision though, that’s exactly when we’d be walking, just after midday…in the hottest part of the day.
Driving in, we spied the mountain we’d be scaling and it did look pretty ominous. Not to worry, we had prepared well this time. Lots of chilled water, suncream applied, comfy shoes and even some active wear. You’ll be pleased to know there was not a skerrick of denim in sight.
The carpark was packed and it seemed we weren’t the only midday hikers around. We saw a couple of young guys freshly back from their climb, walking back to their car. I wound the window down and asked if they’d mind if we followed them back to their car. It was a little further than we’d thought and we felt a little awkward (& creepy) tailing them in the car for so long! Sam and Ross led us in some pre-hike stretches and we were ready to go.
There were a couple of different tracks we could have taken and we were careful to choose the right one, sure to be kept off the trail that offered “boulder scrambling”, as fun as that sounded. As we’d predicted, it was hot and steep but it was NOWHERE near as hard as the Cape walk had been. It was only 20 minutes up and 20 minutes down - a snack - and rather than going straight up vertically (like Cape Huay), the track wound around the mountain, making the gradient much more manageable. I walked behind a little girl who was adamantly (and very vocally) opposed to making the ascent but thankfully her screams were drowned out by the group of girls broadcasting their Bollywood tunes for the benefit of us all - involuntarily gyrating hips could be seen all over the mountainside.
The views from the top were breathtaking! Aqua blue water ringed by a ribbon of white sand, contained in the beautiful bay down below, surrounded by gentle green hills. Just gorgeous! No wonder it’s one of Tasmania’s most iconic views.
Still in the Freycinet National Park, we drove a few minutes to check out a secret spot Sam’s friend Jono had given us. All we had to go on was a pin in the map. It was incredible! The colour of the crystal clear water lapping against the striking orange boulders was just magical and so colourful. Thanks Jono!
Around a bend or two was the equally picturesque, slightly more populated, Honeymoon Bay. Mountains all around the beach and the blue of the sea and the sky was absolutely stunning. The calm waters of the peaceful channel between rocks looked so inviting and everyone enjoyed a cooling dip. Everyone except me that is, because in the kerfuffle of what order we were doing things, I’d missed the updated memo and had left my cossie at home. Despite urgings from my family members to just “go in your undies Mum”, I wasn’t sure Tasmania was ready for me in my see-through, high-waisted Bonds Cottontails. Some things should just remain behind closed doors.
We stopped at cute Coles Bay, with its general store, post office and handful of shops, for lunch and an ice cream, enjoying the ocean views and taking in the summery, laid back atmosphere.
Back at the house, Ross, Maisy and Toby decided to skip the beach and chill at home while Sam, Molly & I explored the beach right near our place. Everything is so expansive down here in the Apple Isle and this beach was no exception. A wide expanse of white sand with big boulders, tinged with orange, at either end and so much space! The beach was scattered with all sorts of seaweed, one that completely looked like lettuce. Sam was totally convinced it was lettuce and that someone had dropped it off their Big Mac swearing he could see traces of cheese and mayo. The great seaweed vs lettuce debate rages on. I’ll post a picture and let you decide.
Because it was low tide, it was possible to walk across to the little island - Diamond Island - also a penguin sanctuary, with a choice of two spots to swim. The water, while fairly brisk, was probably the clearest water we’d ever swum in and there was a gentle wave rolling in. We could spend a week in Bicheno, we love it!
Tonight, after a scrumptious dinner cooked by the boys, we ventured down to the beach once again in the hope of seeing the famous Bicheno penguins. Told to wear dark colours, we looked like a band of robbers as we skulked down to the sand all in black. The rocks were covered with other darkly clad punters also hoping to catch a glimpse of the little black and white army marching ashore. The sign warns that the rocks are the best vantage point and the least intrusive place for viewing and also insists on no torches, lest our petit feathered friends get scared off. Well, in breech of the warnings and much to our dismay, there were people right on the beach and flashing torches which may or may not be why, after waiting for what seemed like hours, for the sun to set and for darkness to set in, the penguins didn’t turn up. It was a complete penguin no show. So disappointing. By the time we left at around 10pm it was pitch dark and there was zero visibility even if they had shown up. Most people had joined us in giving up hope of a sighting and were streaming back to their cars.
Oh well, that’s just how the biscuits breaks sometimes. Penguins will be penguins.
