Dravuni Island, Fiji 6th January 2013

The start of 2013 found Sam and I cruising around the Pacific, one of the stops was on an island called Dravuni. There wasn't a lot of info floating around on this place so we didn't have huge expectations, however it turned out to be a great place.

Maybe the villagers dinner.

The day started with the usual disorganised tender process, but once on the island things started looking up. Most people were congregating on the beach in front of the small village where the tenders were docking, but we decided to head across the island to a beach on the other side, being a cruise I figured that most of the punters would be unable/unwilling to walk across the island.

Heading for Mt Dravuni.

Our ship from the top of the hill

Finding a path under the Palm trees we were first aiming to climb the islands high point, we'll call it Mt Dravuni for want of another name. We managed to summit, no doubt helped by my high tech hiking havaianas. The top provided a great view of the whole island, as well as a nice shot of the boat anchored just off shore. With a nice breeze taking the edge of the humidity it was a good spot to linger for awhile.

The summit is bagged.

Looking back towards the village

Looking towards the beach where we went snorkelling, the reef is part of the Great Astrolabe Reef.

Leaving Mt Dravuni we headed to a spot on our mud map named the Blue Hole, expecting to find a nymph like Brooke Shields cavorting there we instead found a mob of the local kids splashing about. Oh well, nothing else to do but to jump in with them, judging by the smiles on there faces I don't think many cruise passengers make the plunge. By the way the Blue Hole was actually more brown, but the Brown Hole doesn't sound so enticing, hey!

Making the plunge into the Blue Hole with the locals.

I reckon the kid on the right is flipping me the bird!

The kids are happy enough to have someone share there swimming hole.

After my dip with the kids it was time for us to head to the beach for some snorkelling, I'd been able to check out the surrounding reef from the top of Mt Dravuni , and it looked promising. Arriving on the beach the first thing we noticed was that the trek over had indeed thinned out the crowds a fair bit, there was only a handful of people on this side of the island. Wandering along the sand for a bit we soon found a beautiful spot to lay the towels down.

The beach on this side of the island was almost deserted.

The snorkelling here was more than I'd expected, there was plenty of coral and a large number of colourful fish, apparently we were diving on the Astrolabe Reef, the world's fourth largest barrier reef in the world, that's what the interweb tells me so it must be right! Our afternoon was spent either laying on the sand or diving. If only I could fund this lifestyle for ever.

Eventually we had to slip on the hiking havaianas again for the trek back to catch the tender out to the boat. On getting back to the beautiful beach in front of the village we joined the throngs waiting to get back on the ship. Once on board we did our usual thing and headed to our spot at the stern of the ship to watch as we sailed away and the island receded into the distance. Its rarely crowded as you leave as most of the punters head straight to the buffet. After watching the sun set we eventually retired to our room, satisfied with another hard days travelling.

Watching Dravuni Island slip into the distance, from our spot on the back of the ship.

The Dirt

Dravuni Island was more than I expected. The diving was really good, the locals were really friendly, and with a small amount of effort it was possible to get away from the crowds. I don't think the small hill has a real name, but Mt Dravuni sounds good to me. As for the Brown Hole er Blue Hole, you'll have to make up your own mind whether to take a dip with the local kids. The walk over to the beach on the other side of the island is probably only 1 or 2 kilometres and you can bet it'll be mostly empty. Don't go here expecting bars, restaurants, and shops, there's nothing, you make your own fun.

It appears Princess Cruises has injected some money into the local community here in return for them being allowed to visit occasionally. The local village had a nice new jetty and also a new ablutions block, so its good to see something going back for the benefit of the village.

High tech pilot boat guiding us out through the reef.

Kangaroo Island Walk Nov 2007

Sam and Bel, Remarkable Rocks

Time for another retro post. Melbourne Cup weekend is always good for a few days away, although its best for me to get out of the state with my aversion to crowds. 2007 found me thinking of Kangaroo Island, I'd just got myself the 5th edition of Lonely Planets, Walking in Australia, and they had notes for a walk down the west coast of Flinders Chase National Park. Sounded easy enough, walk south along the cliffs on day one, head back north the next day along a closed fire track, how hard could it be?

Seal Bay, I wonder why they named it that?

So Thursday after work Sam, Bel, and I(yeah, I'd managed to rope in a couple of victims companions) found ourselves on the road heading for Strathalbyn in South Australia where we had a room booked. After a leisurely 700 kilometre drive we checked into the motel at 2 am in the morning, luckily for the girls the time flew due to my exemplary taste in music, a mix of metal and country, I really love a road trip!

Morning saw three weary hikers driving the last 120 kilometres to get on the early ferry over to the island, after re mortgaging my house to pay for the ticket over, we were soon on our way across the Backstairs Passage to KI. Bel in particular being happy that it was only a short journey, as she was going a fetching shade of green. Arriving on the island we did a bit of sight seeing, heading over to Seal Bay, to check out the wildlife, then heading down to Remarkable Rocks to check out the...... rocks.

Can I take one home.

Remarkable Rocks

Cape Borda Lighthouse.

After a long day we headed up to Cape Borda where we were staying at the lighthouse for the night, the care-taker being kind enough to show us through the small lighthouse. After watching the sun set and having dinner we headed off to bed, tomorrow we had a fair walk to do.

Home for the night.

The next day dawned fine and clear which was good news as today would be all about the views. Before 8am we were leaving the car at the Ravine des Casoars car park and, with the rangers words to leave early ringing in my ears, we were on our way. Initially we followed a creek down towards a small beach, at one stage crossing a small bridge that was submerged. Once at the little beach we regrouped and put our boots back on, from here on it would be rough.

Everyone still fresh as we follow the creek through the Ravine des Casoars.

The bridge was a little on the damp side.

Making our way to the beach

The first objective was to climb up to the top of the cliffs, from the beach we picked a less steep approach and we were soon on top taking in the view of the cove and the creek below us. There is no track but the vegetation was generally quite thin, the occasional band of Mallee tree the only obstacle to negotiate. The real issue though was the fractured limestone that we were walking on, it was rough as guts and I knew it would slow us down.

First drink stop, we're on top of the cliffs.

Looking back into the Ravine des Casoars

Looking to the south I could see we would be in for a long day, the coastal cliffs going as far as the eye could see. Keeping as close to the cliffs as safely practicable was the general idea, the views of the turquoise water far below took some of the edge off the pain in our feet. Occasional animal pads helped us progress through the thicker bands of scrub, and with plenty of stops we slowly inched our way down the coast, with every turn giving a beautiful new panorama.

Plenty of breaks today

Pushing through the scrub.

By mid afternoon we had swung to the south west  and we were now travelling through the odd grove of Casuarina's which made a bit of a change from the Mallee. Down below a fishing boat bobbed on the ocean, I'm sure the girls were weighing up the chance of attracting their attention and hitching a ride down the coast, the hundred metre cliffs would have probably not provided an obstacle as I think by that stage their feet were that sore they may have just jumped!

This is where the coast swings to the south west.

Looking back from where we came from.

Late afternoon bought a slight change of vegetation, some Casuarinas.

The good news was as the cliffs turned back towards the south the worst of the fractured limestone was over, late afternoon found us walking through a field of limestone stalagmites, looking like a small petrified forest. It was after 7 pm when we rounded Vennachar Point and West Bay came into view, another hour later found us wearily climbing up the steps to the small camp ground. Twelve hours after starting we could relax, needless to say we didn't spend the night chatting around the camp fire, a quick dinner and we all retired to the comforts of our sleeping bags.

West Bay in the late afternoon sun.

The final climb to the camp site, it had been a long day.

After yesterdays 19 kilometres, today we only had a 16 kilometre jaunt to get us back to the car. Overcast weather greeted us in the morning, but as we were walking up an inland fire track all day, it didn't really matter. Leaving camp early we headed out the access road for a couple of kilometres before finding a closed track heading off to the north, this was our track. The morning consisted of walking along the undulating track through the Mallee scrub, watching the clouds and wondering if it would rain on us. The track made for fast walking and we were soon dropping down to cross the Ravine des Casoars again, a quick break at the creek and we making the last climb back to the car park in increasing rain.

Easy walking along the fire track, day two.

I don't know if there's a better sound than when the motor fires in the car after you have finished a big walk, it's such a relaxing feeling to see the scenery flash by as you sink into the soft seat, without having to carry everything on your back. Within about three minutes both the girls were asleep as we headed off for the afternoon ferry back to the mainland. That night found us back at the motel at Strathalbyn, relaxing in a soft bed after our celebratory meal.

Sam and Bel, regrouping before the final climb out of the Ravine des Casoars.

Sam on the final climb, just as the rain started.

All that was left now was the final 700 kilometre trip back home, and with us serenaded by a combination of Metallica and Johnny Cash the trip went quickly, at least I thought so:)

The Dirt
Well we all survived, I'm still married and Bel still talks to me as well, so all up I'd call that a successful trip. The walk shouldn't be under estimated, the fractured limestone along the cliffs really slowed us down. When applying for a permit the ranger will probably advise you to leave early and carry plenty of water, its good advice. Having said all that the first day is spectacular, the unfolding views take your mind off your feet, the second day has its own charm, but probably suffers in comparison to day one. A couple of other things to note, Kangaroo Island is big, it takes two or three hours to drive from one end to the other, and also the car ferry over is bloody expensive, best to spend as long as possible over there as it's a gem when you get there.
For the walk I used the notes out of Lonely Planets Walking in Australia 5th edition, I also used Landsmap's 1:50000 Borda and Vennachar. I also carried a PLB, it would be easy to do some damage to yourself along the cliff tops.

Way to cute!

Greens Bush & Highfield 15th March 2014

With predicted storms in the afternoon I decided to do a walk close to home this week. The Mornington Peninsula National Park gives me plenty of options for walking, swimming and riding, and being only thirty minutes from home is a bonus. I decided to revisit a walk out of Glen Tempest's book, the 2nd edition of Daywalks Around Melbourne, walk # 93 Greens Bush & Highfield. With my usual tardy start I wasn't at the track head at Highfield until 3pm, with storms predicted for 5 pm I knew I'd be cutting it fine.

Leaving the car at the Highfield car park.

Parking my car under the Casurina's at the entrance to Highfield, I was soon walking down Boneo Road to meet up with the Two Bays Track, at this stage of the day the temperature was a balmy mid twenties with a nice breeze, however the looming black clouds coming in from the west made me think that maybe I'd be getting wet today.

Walking down Boneo Road.

Once on the Two Bays Track I followed it up Main Creek, the track goes from Bushrangers Bay to Port Phillip Bay, hence the Two Bays, its a twenty plus kilometre walk, but today I was only doing a small section. The track up main creek is benched into the hillside, with views south over open paddocks southwards towards Flinders, its a great place to see Kangaroo's and it makes for very pleasant walking.

I think things may get a bit damp.

From the openings on the track I could see the black clouds building up, there was no way I was going to make it back without a drenching, no real drama except I hadn't thrown in my water proof camera, and the DSLR would be going into a dry bag at the first sign of precipitation.

Keep an eye out for Kangaroos.

On reaching The Long Point Firebreak I decided to head down to the old picnic and camping area. The area has been closed for years and I was wondering why. Descending to the old camping area at the junction of Main Creek and Lightwood Creek it wasn't really obvious to me why camping was now banned, there was a sign warning of falling branches, so maybe its another liability issue, there is also a problem with die-back in the park, but the whole walk along Main Creek had been in a die-back area so I doubt that was the issue.

The Two Bays Walking Track.

Retracing my steps back up to the Two Bays Track I could see that there wouldn't be to many more photo's for this walk, it was about to piss down. I followed the Two Bays Track for just over another kilometre before turning left and climbing up a firebreak to the west. About halfway up the hill the rain hit, time to stop and put everything into the dry bag.

Main Creek, the track sidles the side of the hill above.

Two Bays track is well benched.

Looking across the valley towards Flinders.

The thunder and lightening now accompanied me for the rest of the walk, it wasn't cold so it was really a nice walk with the bush wet and glistening in the afternoon light. The rain also seems to enhance the smell from the Eucalypt's, which was a fair pay off for being soaking wet.

Ferns crowding the track as it follows Lightwood Creek.

Passing by the old Highfield Homestead I was soon back at the car, grabbing a towel from the car I dried myself off a bit, turning on the radio I hear that they have stopped an AFL game in Sydney due to lightning, something I've never heard of before, so obviously I wasn't the only one getting wet. The good news is that my Osprey, Mutant 38 pack appears relatively water resistant, this being the first time I've used it in the rain.

Climbing the firebreak, its about to bucket down.

The photographer isn't skilled enough to convey how black these clouds were. This was the last photo I took.

The Dirt
According to my GPS this walk was 9.37 kilometres, and the total climbing for the walk was 214 metres (I'm starting to wonder how accurate my GPS is with the total ascent figure, I've had a couple that seem a bit on the romantic side!).  As I said earlier the walk notes were from Daywalks Around Melbourne by Glen Tempest  http://osp.com.au/   the map I used was the Mornington & Arthurs Seat 1:25000 Meridian Map.
This is an easy walk on good tracks with the bonus of the chance to see plenty of Kangaroos.