Bushwalk Australia

We are dropping some family at Port Arthur for a few hours and thought we might try the Cape Hauy track. We probably will only have about 3 hours though. Question is, is it worth or while to ust walk part of the way along the Cape Huay track or is all the spectacular views right at the end? I see the National Parks lists it as a 4-5 hour walk. Is this accurate? Cheers.

sweetiepark wrote:We are dropping some family at Port Arthur for a few hours and thought we might try the Cape Hauy track. We probably will only have about 3 hours though. Question is, is it worth or while to ust walk part of the way along the Cape Huay track or is all the spectacular views right at the end? I see the National Parks lists it as a 4-5 hour walk. Is this accurate? Cheers.

By the time you account for breaks and spend some time out at the end climbing down to see the Candlestick and Totem Pole, 4-5 hours is probably fairly accurate. There is a nice view of Fortescue Bay from about 20 minutes up the track, but no really good views until nearing the end.

Have you considered a short walk from Fortescue Bay back toward Waterfall Bay? Quite nice round there too, but definitely no spectacular views.

comes down to how fit you are... its doable in three hours if you walk at a brisk pace....

wayno wrote:comes down to how fit you are... its doable in three hours if you walk at a brisk pace....

And don't look at anything along the way....

i did it in under four hours with time for photos, i could have done it faster...

wayno wrote:i did it in under four hours with time for photos, i could have done it faster...

Did you stop for lunch?

had a quick bite to eat

If you only have 3 hrs walking time I'd suggest not walking to the end of the cape but taking a right turn at the turnoff to Mt Fortescue. 10 minutes walk from the turnoff you reach AMAZING cliff lines with sensational views. These cliffs are higher than at the cape itself and if you continue on for another 5 minutes you'll get views of a coastal arch. You'll save an hours walking at least by doing this.

I agree the cliffs on the Mt Fortescue track are a great alternative but this section is currently under construction and may in fact be closed if they are using helicopters to deliver loads.

The other thing to consider is the 30min drive from Port Arthur to Fortescue Bay at the start of the track. The track to Canoe Bay then on to Bivouac Bay may suit you better.

Cape Raoul is also nearby, and you get nice views at the first lookout I'd say after 30 min or walking (or is it longer ?), then you can go back and do Shipstern Bluff / Tunnel Bay. The whole thing should fit in your 3h time frame and is, I think, your best option.