Lousia Bay

[Bernie]

Hi did the South Coast track last year in Feb but didn't get out to Lousia Bay, but for what I could see of the track it looked a bit unused. Doing the track again next Feb, looking at going out there for a night, so has anyone been out lousia bay recently? and if so can you tell me what the track condition is, is it overgrown or still walkable? And is there any water out there thanks.

[tasadam]

I thought that Louisa bay was technically off-track, though there was a pad that could be followed.
I remember a rock or something on the SC track that marked the turnoff to this pad. Just searched my photos and SHOCK HORROR I just found something that I don't have a photo of...
I doubt that it would have changed much since your visit a year ago. Others might know more.

[hikingoz]

I went down there last march. It's a nice spot. I got my water dripping of the rocks right next to camp because it was raining on and off. Unfortunately it was very windy and a cold so I didn't explore too much.

If you are coming from Melaleuca hold off until you find the actual track rather than taking the first footpad that seems to go in the right direction. Some of these have been blocked off. It is much easier on the main track. They are marked on the Chapman guide book.

[Bernie]

Hey thanks for the quick reply and advice will see how it goes.

[wander]

The pad is pretty clear with the odd bog or two. It is braided in some places but it is generally a straight line s it is not too hard to be happy you are going the the right way. If you fly in into Melaleuca via the coastal route you can see the pad from the air. The water is as per Chapman's notes. Take a wiiiiide mouth something to catch it. We just happened to have a spiral folding bucket from the hardware store which was V useful to catch the water.

[Bernie]

Thanks again cheers.

[ffourie]

Hi. I just returned from the South Coast track. We opted to do the detour to Louisa Bay, and it was probably the best campsite for us. It's a great spot to spend the day. However. We could not rely on the drips from above to get enough water, it would have taken days. Also, no point in following the beach down to the lagoon to try and get water, its salty as we found out quite far up, so that's not an options. In the end we were forced to go and and find some water, so we went back up, and looked for the tree lines to try and find a creek. After an hour of bush bashing in the dark, we could hear a little stream, and was able to fill all our water containers (makes for a very heavy backpack) and crash our way back to camp in the dark. So. Great spot, but if you are going there, consider taking enough water for cooking

[ffourie]

If you are thinking of doing the detour to Lousia Bay, consider taking enough water for drinking and cooking. We just returned from there, and the drip from the "waterfall" was not enough to give us any water. That being said, it is a great spot, and for us it was well worth the trip!!

[tasadam]

Message from mod... Sorry, approved both posts but 2nd is a bit of a duplicate. Doesn't matter...
A reminder, all posts by new members need approving before they appear.

[Bernie]

Hey thanks ffourie for the update will take your advice and take enough water for cooking. Going to spend just one night out there than head into Lousia river camp site to spend the next night there. Never been out to Lousia bay and thought we would go and have a look see. Thanks again.