Melaleuca meanderings

[tasmaniac]

I'm planning a flight into Melaleuca in Feb to spend up to 10 days exploring and photographing in the area. Not having been there before I've just got a few queries. I'd like to head north first and spend some time around the southern side of the Bathurst Narrows and Mt Beattie. Firstly, I'm wondering if there is somewhere in the Melaleuca hut where I can safely store food for the southern leg. Also, I see there are a few creeks flowing down from Mt Beattie, how reliable are they likely to be in Feb and are there any sheltered campsites in this area? Then I'll head down to Cox Bight after picking up my spare food and after that head west to New Harbour, Hidden Bay, Ketchem Bay and Wilson Bight if time permits. Is there much mud to negotiate along any of these tracks? Any tips on campsites and finding water would be very helpful also.

[stepbystep]

Hi there. Chat with the Par Avion ppl about a food stash. The huts can't be guaranteed.

Not sure about Mt Beattie area. I've explored the Bathurst, Melaleuca, New Harbour and Rugby ranges as overnighters and daytrips off track. Highly recommend them all. Mt Rallinga is an excellent daywalk from Mel. Mt Counsel a wonderful overnighter, only bettered by the New Harbour Range. Discussions with Par Avion can see you dropped at Mt Rugby or The Narrows or elsewhere.

Enjoy, it's an awesome place to meander!

[bumpingbill]

You food will - in all likelihood - fine in the hut at the airport. However food has been known to go missing before.

It generally happens when there's bad weather and day trippers get stuck for a while. They're not prepared, so think it's fine to eat someone elses food.

@stepbystep - What do you mean "Discussions with Par Avion can see you dropped at Mt Rugby or The Narrows or elsewhere."? I thought the only landing option was Melaleuca.

[whynotwalk]

I reckon SBS is talking about by boat. They run boat trips too,

cheers

Peter

[stepbystep]

Yes that's what I mean. They drop walkers that fly in at Mt Rugby for example.
The other great thing I've done down there is a kayak trip with Roaring 40's. They do 3 and 7 day trips.

[bumpingbill]

Well I'll be. Never knew that, but good to know! (Sorry to hijack the thread!)

[tasmaniac]

Thanks guys. Here's a follow up question. Is it possible to climb Mt Rugby from the Port Davey track and is there anywhere to camp and any water available near the start of it?

[icefest]

Thanks guys. Here's a follow up question. Is it possible to climb Mt Rugby from the Port Davey track Yes, Chapman describes it in his book. and is there anywhere to camp and any water available near the start of it?

Have you looked at the map? You'll have to cross a couple of streams to get there. If you don't want to schlepp water have a look at the creek at the arrow with a yabbie straw.

There are several possible campsites. Search the forums for some ideas.

[tasmaniac]

I got back from this trip late last week and it was awesome. Everything went to plan and the weather played it's part perfectly. Here's a short recap of my itinerary:

Day1. Flew in, boat to the narrows and camped near the only flowing creek I found, near the end of Horseshoe Inlet and a quick jaunt up towards Mt. Beattie.

Day2. Up at 6 and up the slopes of Mt. Beattie. Back to camp, packed up and walked to Melalueca.

Day3. Boat to base of Mt. Rugby, climbed up and explored.

Day4. Up early and up Mt. rugby again, back to camp to pack up, have lunch and be picked up.

Day5. From Melaleuca to Cox Bight.

Day6. Highlight of the trip, a climb up the New Harbour Range. Wow!

Day 7. Cox Bight to New Harbour....stinking hot!

Day 8. Rainy morning, rest day, slept in til 10, Yay!

Day 9. Climbed part way up the western side of the New Harbour Range.

Day 10. Day walk to Hidden Bay and Ketchem Bay.

Day 11. Walked out to Melalueca in the rain. Flew out and got an awesome view of Fed Pk.

All in all a wonderful trip, great weather, nothing too difficult and not too much mud.
Good times.

[stepbystep]

Magicland!!! Glad you enjoyed it NHR is still in my top 3 campsites. if not the best.

[walkabout]

That put a smile on my face
Thanks for the photos.

[DanShell]

Those photos are outstanding......wheres the rest?

[tasmaniac]

Those photos are outstanding......wheres the rest?

Thanks Dan it's pretty hard to take a bad photo there. Where's the rest? Well I thought it would look more impressive if I just put the best ones on.

[DanShell]

Those photos are outstanding......wheres the rest?

Thanks Dan it's pretty hard to take a bad photo there. Where's the rest? Well I thought it would look more impressive if I just put the best ones on.

Lol of course!

[cjhfield]

We had a 2 week kayak meander in Port Davey in January and I have a page of photos on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cjhfield/ ... 540157597/

We paddled from Melaleuca to Bramble Cove then Davey River and explored the gorge. Then down to Spain Bay and walked over to Stevens Beach and the middens. Then across to the Old River and finally Moulters Inlet where we were holed up for a few days with gales.

Its a stunning area, if a little windy at times.

Chris

[tasmaniac]

Nice pics Chris. That sounds like a pretty epic trip and a great way to see the place, but I'm getting tired arms just thinking about it. I can imagine your movements would be very much influenced by the weather. How did you get the kayaks in and out of Melalueca?

[tastrax]

I reckon it got flown in - Its a collapsible boat

http://feathercraft.com/kayaks/k2-expedition/

[cjhfield]

Yes, our double kayak takes apart into 3 bags. We had 5 bags total with about 60kg excess on the way in and 40kg on the way out. Par Avion provide a great service but excess is a painful $5-50/kg, up from $3-50 when Tasair flew the route. A local maybe could align their trip with a sailing boat - they might be pleased to have an extra pair of hands for the trip to and from Recherché Bay. So our airfares were around $1500 for two people but the rest of the trip cost only the food so looked at that way $750 each for a two week trip is OK. Certainly cheaper than a guided trip though by all accounts the Roaring Forties trips are highly rated.

We had a handheld VHF to contact boats in an emergency but there were very few around and we didn't use it. We had a shortwave with a long wire antenna which was essential for getting detailed weather forecasts. Except for the crossing to Davey River and back it is enclosed water paddling so not demanding. The best day was the paddle from Davey River down past the Breaksea Islands , Hannant Inlet and on to Spain Bay. Dolphins escorted us through the swells for about half an hour. Spain Bay is spectacular as was the walk over to Stevens Bay and the aboriginal middens. The weather was great. We thought it was the best days paddling we had ever done.

Chris