Melalueca Tours - Anyone been on one? [Many images]

[gstevens]

Hi

I am thinking about combining the South Coast track with a day tour run by Par Avion in January. I can't decide on the half day tour (boat just goes to Bathurst Harbour) or the full day tour (boat goes to Port Davey)?

Has anyone been on these tours? My gut feeling is that the full day tour will be more interesting (subject to good old Tassie weather of course) but I just wanted to get some other people's thoughts and ideas before booking.

Thank you in advance.
Gail

[stepbystep]

Trust your gut Gail. If you are spending the $$$ on the flight you may as well make the most of it. It's a stunning area, you'll want to stay a week.

[wander]

I've not been on the tour, but having paddled my pack raft through these waters and looked at the tour boat stooge about from Mt Rugby I'd say go the full day option. The Port Davey end of the area is very difficult to get to without a boat and looks stunning from a distance.

[tasadam]

Having completed the South Coast track from Cockle Creek to Melaleuca, we were going to fly out one afternoon until Geoff Fenton got chatting to us and advised us that the trip was worth doing, so we stayed an extra day in Mel and took the full day cruise. We went to Celery Top Islands for a short stroll, then out through the narrows to Balmoral Beach for lunch. On the return we went to Claytons corner for a look.
The weather was perfect, the day fantastic, the experience memorable.
Your decision is a no-brainer.

(Time to break a much-broken forum rule and post more than 200Kb of photos in a non-photo topic, but if anyone complains I will fix.)

Mt Rugby from Celery Top Islands

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Again from Celery Top islands, the day is getting better.

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Mt Rugby from Balmoral Beach

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Again from Balmoral Beach

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Exploring the end of Balmoral Beach

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And further round...

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A beautiful place.

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[Lagaro]

My wife and I went on the tour and I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
It was particularly nice getting to visit Clyde Claytons house.

[jose]

I just love your photos Adam. I can't imagine anyone would complain!

[flyfisher]

My wife and I did the day trip with Par Avion about 5 years ago and it was a fantastic trip, including Denny King's house and gardens, lunch at the outdoor kitchen, a visit to Celery top islands, and Claytons corner on the way back to the airstrip.
Thoroughly recommend it.

FF

[gstevens]

Thanks everyone for the advice! The photos are great too! I am reading a book about Deny King at the moment. Did you know he got to Cockle Creek in 2.5 days (no track!)? Tough people just don't exist these days. I am all very inspired and can't wait to get there now

[ILUVSWTAS]

Yes it's a great read!! I live near where his old house was at Back Barn, been up there several times. amazing family living the way they did!! The trip to Mt Weld they did was amazing too!!

I've done the SCt 3 times and over those 3 times have done stages that if combined would have taken me 2.5 days. BUT to do it in the one trip, and as you say without a track is borderline inhumane strength/endurance.

[stoogest]

We did the half day tour a couple of months ago just after the snow falls and it was INCREDIBLE!! Definitely worth every cent and has inspired me to build up to doing the South Coast Track. Here's a link to some photos taken during the trip:

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/ ... -images%29

Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Cheers!
Andrew.

[gstevens]

We did the half day tour a couple of months ago just after the snow falls and it was INCREDIBLE!! Definitely worth every cent and has inspired me to build up to doing the South Coast Track. Here's a link to some photos taken during the trip:

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/ ... -images%29

Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Cheers!
Andrew.

Can't see those pics sorry

[stoogest]

no probs...there were quite a few so took the lazy option and linked instead of re-uploading. I'll see if I can upload a few now.

[stoogest]

First 5...

[stoogest]

6-10

[stoogest]

11-15

[stoogest]

Last 4...

[flyfisher]

Great shots there, thanks for sharing.

Brings back a lot of memories.

ff

[stepbystep]

Gail there is a new interpretive walk that runs for 1.2km from the airstrip that gives wonderful access to the lagoon area with some very interesting and thought provoking installations.
It won't be officially opened for a couple of months but is another attraction to the area if you aren't convinced yet. I'd love to share some images of the installations but I think it's best left for the launch.
Couple of pics of the lagoon from along the walk.

[gstevens]

Wow! More fantastic photos. I am very excited about going. I have booked a full day tour and will then head off to do the South Coast track after that. Fingers crossed for a stunning day with the sun beaming down and still reflective waters like you had!

[dee_legg]

It doesn't get better than that!

[gayet]

OK, just to raise this again (a chance to look at lovely photos once more), I am considering an overnighter at maybe Horseshoe Bay in the next month or so and would like some thoughts from those who have been there. I walked into Melaleuca 10 yrs ago and got on a flight back to Hobart so didn't see much then. And now, being time poor, I thought I might make an early morning flight in (do they fly on weekends?), walk out to Horseshoe Bay, potter around in that area with the cameras etc, camp out there then walk back to Melaleuca next morning, potter around again and get a late flight back.

I don't want to try to pack too much into the time as its meant to be a relaxing weekend but I do intend to do something different to my normal domestic drudgery.

Any thoughts alternate suggestions ?

All most welcome

Thanks

[stepbystep]

Gaye I haven't been to Horseshoe Inlet but could strongly recommend heading to Point Eric for a night or New Harbour. If you are feeling more energetic a camp on New Harbour Range, Mt Rallinga or Mt Rugby is highly recommended.

There is a new attraction for visitors down there, here is a link to video I made for Parks http://vimeo.com/33565013 hope you enjoy.

[gayet]

Thanks SBS.
Just realised I waffled on about Horseshoe Bay - meant Inlet of course.
Thanks for the link as well, I'll check it out later. It was mentioned earlier in this thread but no link then as too early, so much appreciated.

10 years ago I did the Cox Bight - New Habour - Hidden Bay - Ketchem Bay - Melaleuca and loved it but for a 2 day with camera gear (7 - 8kg) I don't want to be hauling it too far, hence Horseshoe. I think I'll find enough to keep me busy there. I'll save New Habour Range for a trip with the compact.

Again many thanks

Gaye

[gstevens]

Hi
Just thought I would give a bit of feedback of my experiences of the tour/south coast track.

To be honest, the tour was a bit disappointing because we didn't get to go to Bathurst Harbour , we only went as far as Win and Cylde's old house. This was because it was windy and not safe for the boat. We did the full day tour but because of the safety issue all we did was do some walks and go to the old house - most of this could have been independently. The full experience would have been worth it, but we walked away feeling a little bit ripped off. I don't want to sound too negative!! The morning tea and lunch was very nice and the tour guide looked after us really well. I would recommend making sure the weather is going to be great when you go there - maybe delay your trip until you get a good day. Melalucea is a fascinating place and well worth the visit. And we did get to see an Orange-bellied Parrot so that was pretty special. The plane trip down along the coast was really good. I have had attached a couple of photos from the flight.

The South Coast Track was a tough but rewarding experience. Lucky for us there hadn't been any rain for a while so the track was dry almost every day, and we had not trouble crossing creeks. Loved the New River area, it was amazing, and we would love to go back there for another trip. A couple of pics from the walk are attached as a teaser for anyone who is thinking of doing it