Freycinet Alternative Camping

[DanShell]

I am hoping to get some info from people who have walked the Freycinet Circuit.

We was wondering if there is any camping places between Cooks Beach and Wineglass Bay? Meaning somewhere near Mount Graham or just along the track.

We want to spend two nights there so the first night will be either Hazards or Cooks but we can't see the point in staying at Wineglass bay the second night, we may as well walk over the hill and go home so we were hoping to get a spot in between so we can take our time looking around the area.

Thanks for any help. Pics would be great

[stepbystep]

Good camping below Mt Freycinet, there is a small creek nearby but I would carry water regardless.

[eggs]

We did 2 nights on Freycinet as part of this report:
http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=17237
I presume you will have more daylight hours than we did - but possibly less water available.

Mt Graham can be a bit tough as I described. It could depend on the wind and your tent footprint size.
The saddle where the track to Mt Freycinet starts looked reasonable.
About 2/3rds up Mt Freycinet was a large sandy area [see picture] and the very top had some small flat sandy areas between the boulders too, but you would have a steep scramble with the packs.

Nice spot about 2/3rds up Mt Freycinet [no water]

[north-north-west]

The aforementioned campsite on the Freycinet sidetrack is superb, albeit dry. There are other sites with better views (and less shelter) near the Freycinet-
Graham col. It is also possible to pitch on Graham, although there's room for only one 2-man tent in the best spot.
I used the Graham site on my last visit - sorry, no photos of the camp, but it's right next to the track, at the wide point where it crests, within 2 minutes of the high point.

[DanShell]

Thanks very much for the replies. It appears as though we have a few options then. I like the look of the site in the pic. Water or lack of it at the potential camp sites shouldn't be an issue, we can refill prior or carry quite a bit if need be.

We have been down there several times before but only ever walked the smaller loop as a day trip.
I'm looking forward to spending a night or two away from people and huts and being able to use the tent and relax with a headlight and book! I know that sounds a bit harsh but I'm sure some of you will relate

[Orion]

Last time I was there I saw someone tucked into the brush near the summit of Graham. At the time the nearest water wasn't very far down the hill.

[RonK]

Last time we did the circuit there was even uncertainty about the availability of water at Cook's hut. We carried 10 litres of water each the first day - *&%$#! hard going around Mt Mayson and along the sand at Hazards Beach.

There were only a couple of rings of water in the tank at the hut, but it was more than enough for a top up.

[DanShell]

Last time I was there I saw someone tucked into the brush near the summit of Graham. At the time the nearest water wasn't very far down the hill.

Wow what a view to wake up to. It would be great if it wasn't too windy.

[DanShell]

Last time we did the circuit there was even uncertainty about the availability of water at Cook's hut. We carried 10 litres of water each the first day - *&%$#! hard going around Mt Mayson and along the sand at Hazards Beach.

There were only a couple of rings of water in the tank at the hut, but it was more than enough for a top up.

Thanks Ron, Im hoping when we head down there we won't have too many issues with water. I won't take any risks though, we both carry a 3ltr bladder in our packs but rarely fill them full unless we are being cautious.

[Tortoise]

Hey Danny,

I was there a couple of weeks back. The creeks were nearly all dry, and I didn't check the tanks at Cooks, but there was water in both. Plenty of wrigglers and bits of vegetation in the tank at the back. I cleaned out as much possum poo and compost as I could from the gutter on that side, but I was too short to reach some of it. In contrast, the water in the other tank (which doesn't have a wattle tree near it), looked, tasted and acted clean. Maybe you can reach more of that gutter? The hut was rather dirty when we got there - clearly hadn't been swept for a good while. Next time I'll take a bigger bag for other people's rubbish.

Don't leave ANYTHING in the hut overnight. A friend nearly lost her camera, which had been dragged off the table to the entrance of a rat hole, had the wrist strap chewed off, and I only noticed it as we were leaving (another good reason to sweep thoroughly)! Fortunately it was shockproof, and still in working order.

There was a little water in Eastern Creek iirc, and a trickle in the grotto where the track crosses Graham Creek. I wouldn't rely on them though. The ranger confidently told us there was water at Cooks, so we just went with that. I'd take puritabs or similar next time, just in case we needed other water. There was

I don't have pics, but heading from Cooks to Graham, there were a couple of tent sites right near the track, not long before the signed Mt Freycinet turn-off. One had a tree overhead too big for my comfort, but I vaguely remember thinking i might camp at the other one one day. I didn't allow time to climb the (out of date book) reportedly overgrown track up Freycinet. Now there's a spiffy blue sign inviting people along. I'll just have to go there again. *sigh*

[DanShell]

Hey Danny,

I was there a couple of weeks back. The creeks were nearly all dry, and I didn't check the tanks at Cooks, but there was water in both. Plenty of wrigglers and bits of vegetation in the tank at the back. I cleaned out as much possum poo and compost as I could from the gutter on that side, but I was too short to reach some of it. In contrast, the water in the other tank (which doesn't have a wattle tree near it), looked, tasted and acted clean. Maybe you can reach more of that gutter? The hut was rather dirty when we got there - clearly hadn't been swept for a good while. Next time I'll take a bigger bag for other people's rubbish.

Ill try and give it a clean further up Do people sleep in the hut?

Don't leave ANYTHING in the hut overnight. A friend nearly lost her camera, which had been dragged off the table to the entrance of a rat hole, had the wrist strap chewed off, and I only noticed it as we were leaving (another good reason to sweep thoroughly)! Fortunately it was shockproof, and still in working order.

Ok we normally would leave our gear in the hut, Ill have to risk having possums (or rats) scratching around in my vestibule instead lol

There was a little water in Eastern Creek iirc, and a trickle in the grotto where the track crosses Graham Creek. I wouldn't rely on them though. The ranger confidently told us there was water at Cooks, so we just went with that. I'd take puritabs or similar next time, just in case we needed other water. There was

No problems we have some tabs but we recently purchased a little sawyer filter so it sounds like it may get a proper run when we are down there. I can't bring it to myself to drink water thats had wrigglers in it, regardless how well its been filtered....unless I was going to die of dehydration of course

I don't have pics, but heading from Cooks to Graham, there were a couple of tent sites right near the track, not long before the signed Mt Freycinet turn-off. One had a tree overhead too big for my comfort, but I vaguely remember thinking i might camp at the other one one day. I didn't allow time to climb the (out of date book) reportedly overgrown track up Freycinet. Now there's a spiffy blue sign inviting people along. I'll just have to go there again. *sigh*

Once again you have been very helpful for me Thanks. It sounds as though I will find a nice enough spot that suits our timeline.

Its only myself and my son going or may even have a crack at a solo hike for this one so a less than ideal site won't be an issue. Ive never done a solo hike, its not in my make up really as Id much prefer to share my experience with my family but when they are not keen desperate measures are called for lol

[Tortoise]

Hey Danny,

Ill try and give it a clean further up Do people sleep in the hut?

Great. I'll take a rubber glove and a big ziplock bag next time - rubbish and used toilet paper in and outside the hut.
I think there's a sign saying not to sleep in the hut. I wouldn't want to anyway, as it's draughty and has critters.

Ok we normally would leave our gear in the hut, Ill have to risk having possums (or rats) scratching around in my vestibule instead lol

The visitor info place mentioned there are metal bins there, which are good for putting food bags in overnight. We found them in the 'shed' end of the hut (access from a different outside door). Stuff there for track work etc. The bins have rice hulls or equivalent for the toilets - but they are clean.

During the evening, a rat was chewing something enthusiastically in the (closed off) fireplace, while we played cards. He stopped when my friend hit the tin loudly. She reckons it was probably the same rat who took her camera, just to get back at her.

We weren't disturbed in our tent.

Its only myself and my son going or may even have a crack at a solo hike for this one so a less than ideal site won't be an issue. Ive never done a solo hike, its not in my make up really as Id much prefer to share my experience with my family but when they are not keen desperate measures are called for lol

That's how I got started solo! this would be one of the safest choices I reckon - low altitude, good tracks, signs, basic mobile phone coverage from a lot of places.

Happy walking.

[RonK]

Do people sleep in the hut?

It's not very inviting - much nicer to put up your tent down near the beach.

[corvus]

As a hut Tragic I slept in my Tent rather than chance this one ,pity though as it is a classic Hut (needs friends to look after it ) bit far from home for me however to do so.

[north-north-west]

The headland at the north of Cooks Beach has lovely camping, although the creek water is unreliable - I filled up at Cooks during the sidetrip to Bryan.

[DanShell]

Thanks everyone, I'm hoping to sneak a Friday off work in a couple of weeks and get down there for a few days