Cape Hauy and Cape Pillar in two days?

[dreamingof8a]

Hi,

has anybody some advice on doing the two capes as a two day circuit? I was thinking to start in Fortescue Bay, walking to lunchtime creek, setting up camp there and going on to Cape Pillar before the night; then take the path across Mt. Fortescue to Cape Hauy (probably dropping my pack at the intersection), walk to the cape and back to Fortescue Bay.
- Anyone done this or somethign similar?
- Any better advice regarding the camping spot?
- I don't really have a home base, just a rental and my tent; to get an early start I guess I should camp at Forstecue bay? Or are there any other recommended camp sites nearby, maybe towards Port Arthur (where I will be the day day before)

Thanks!

[north-north-west]

It's a standard walk - what is most commonly called The Cape Pillar circuit. Overnighting beforehand at Fortescue Bay is the best option.

There are alternative campsites along the tracks at Hurricane Heath, Perdition Ponds, near the coast track junction & on Mt Fortescue.

[Strider]

Standard walk it is, but I don't think the standard is to complete it in two days.

I have done the walk to Cape Pillar, and that was a 3 day return trip from Fortescue Bay. Did not go over Mt Fortescue or to Cape Hauy. Mind you this was in 2008, prior to any of the recent trackworks in the area.

Is camping permitted at Lunchtime Creek? From memory the only official campsites are at Tornado Flat, Hurricane Heath and Perdition Ponds.

[north-north-west]

*shrug*
I did it in two days without any difficulty.
Maybe longer days than most people are used to, but I think our OP might be aware of that.

There's a small tentsite on a shelf near the creek, and more room on the ridge above to the south. Don't know if it's an 'official' site, but it gets regular use.

[dreamingof8a]

*shrug*
I did it in two days without any difficulty.
Maybe longer days than most people are used to, but I think our OP might be aware of that.

There's a small tentsite on a shelf near the creek, and more room on the ridge above to the south. Don't know if it's an 'official' site, but it gets regular use.

Yeah I expect rather long days ... just don't like backtracking too much hence the wish to do it as a circuit. And two days only because I only have two weeks in Tasmania and there is soooo much more to do here
Do you think that camping at the creek makes sense? Or do you rather recommend any of the campsites you mentioned in terms of walking times? I could of course just dump my main luggage at the creek, and decide on the way back from Cape Pillar what's best. Or do you think it is better to start with Cape Hauy and push as far towards Cape Pillar as possible on the first day?

[stepbystep]

Easy with early starts. Go to Cape Hauy first up and don't rush. 2 days will be plenty.
You could comfortably make the Cape Pillar area on day 1 with an early start, super easy walking, the forest on Mt Fortescue is astounding!

[dplanet]

Is camping permitted at Lunchtime Creek? From memory the only official campsites are at Tornado Flat, Hurricane Heath and Perdition Ponds.

Try not to camp at Lunchtime Creek. Fresh water is scarce in the area.

[Strider]

Is camping permitted at Lunchtime Creek? From memory the only official campsites are at Tornado Flat, Hurricane Heath and Perdition Ponds.

Try not to camp at Lunchtime Creek. Fresh water is scarce in the area.

Good point...

[north-north-west]

Is camping permitted at Lunchtime Creek? From memory the only official campsites are at Tornado Flat, Hurricane Heath and Perdition Ponds.

Try not to camp at Lunchtime Creek. Fresh water is scarce in the area.

Que? It's a creek. It's always been running when I've been through there. And the water's always been fresher than the stuff at Perdition Ponds.

[dreamingof8a]

Just wanted to say thanks again to all of you. To wrap it up, here's what I ended up doing:
Started from Fortescue Bay around 830 to Cape Hauy (a pity they turned it into a highway), easy walk all the way. Dropped the pack at the junction to Mt. Fortescue, played around at the cape for quite some time. Then on to Cape Pillar via Mt. Fortescue, found it rather steep especially after the "summit". Lost the track there somewhere for a bit, and got confused a few times since all of a sudden the markers stopped so I was never sure whether or not I was still on the right track. Again found it rather steep getting up the Cape Pillar track. Ended up camping at perdition ponds although I really was very close to camp just anywhere as it had been a very long day and I was pretty exhausted by the time I reached the ponds. But some guy had told me about the ponds and it sounded nice. Was worth it though, definitley the nicest camp site of the whole track in my opinion (don't like camping in the forest). Lunchtime Creek had plenty of rather fresh water. PPonds were okay for cooking. Next morning to the cape (The Blade only), beautiful spot with an amazing view of Tasman Island. Took longer than expected (1.5 hours maybe? Not sure anymore). Then back to Fortescue Bay. Walking time on day one: around 9 hours including around 2hrs break. Day two: probably around 7 hours including maybe 1 hour breaks.

All in all an amazing walk; Loved the capes, perdition ponds/cliffs and crossing the swampy planes back to Fortescue bay with all the flowers. As a 2 day hike I'd say it's not easy but certainly doable (I'm not the fittest these days and as mentioned found the first day rather exhausting).

Tasman Island from the blade/Cape Pillar

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