Mt William National Park - Bay of Fires

[abowen]

Has anyone done the coastal walk in the Mt William Natioonal Park from Boulder Point to Ansons Bay? I know there is a commercial operator running a guided walk along this coastline but would like to do it independantly. I understand that water supply and water quality is a major issue. Can this be done by one or two water drops? Where would you place them?
And before Mark gets me, I did a quick search on a couple of key words but didn't come up with anything meaningful.
Any information would be appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew

[ILUVSWTAS]

Haha yes this is a good thread Andrew, not many mentions on this spot on the forum.
I know some guuys that have done it, and yes water is an issue. They did what you are talking about and did a few day trips up to "set up" a campsite a few days ahead of their departure.

[GerryDuke]

I worked for another tour company that took day trips to the area. We dropped people off at Stumpy Bay and picked them up at Eddystone Point lighthouse. Later we did the tour from Eddystone Point to Ansons Bay. The latter is a very fine area. The other company has it's lodge near Bailey's Rocks.

I have covered it on my site http://www.touringtasmania.info/mt_william_np.htm .

Gerry

[sthughes]

Always use one of these http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-sas35.html. If you have deep pockets

[abowen]

Don't think I'll go to that expense sthughes.
Gerry, From your experience can you help with the following questions. Does the Bay of Fires walk only go from Ansons to somewhere near Swimcart? Is the section from Eddystone to Ansons only a one day leg? Can you cross the mouth of Ansons Bay at low tide or is way too deep?
Cheers
Andrew

[ILUVSWTAS]

I have fished at Ansons bay, You would struggle to cross that. It's wide and deep.

[GerryDuke]

ILUVSWTAS has answered the Ansons Bay crossing for us Andrew. The Bay of Fires stretches from Eddystone Point to Binnalong Bay. There are 3 distinct sections of coast. From Eddystone Lighthouse to Ansons Bay. A 4WD track follows the coast inland about 500 metres or so. I managed to drive a 2WD to a car park near Shelly Coves - although the last time I was there access to the car park was fenced off. The road from that point was very eroded. There is also a 4WD track from Ansons Bay to Baileys Rocks and continues on to the very eroded section mentioned. I also managed to drive to there several times. The last time there was a very short section I wasn't prepared to negotiate as it had been cut up too much - soft sand. It was about another 15 minutes walk to Baielys Rocks. Just south of Baileys Rocks is the Abbotsbuty Peninsula. Beautiful Beach. The peninsula can be accessed from Ansons Bay. Follow the road along the bay as far as you can to a turning circle. "there is a short track through the tea tree to the waters edge. About 50 or 100 metres to the left there is a narrow gap in the bay. The narrowest point is deep. It can be crossed by wading a little further to the left (into the inlet) where it is about knee deep depending on the tide. To answer your question, the strip of coast can be walked in about 5 hours or less.

The next section of coast is south of Ansons Bay from Policemans Point to The Gardens. I have not walked this part of the coast but thelist.tas.gov.au shows that it includes a strip of the coast which is presumably the official 'Bay of Fires Conservation Area'. The beach here is the actual Bay of Fires.

The coastal strip from The Gardens south to Binnalong Bay (just north of) is also regarded as The Bay of Fires Conservation Area. It is signposted as such. There is a very good sealed road from Binnalong Bay to the Gardens. There are some very substantial houses at The Gardens. An unsealed road continues north to the southern end of the official Bay of Fires! The road is gated by I understand there is public access to the road. I was advised of this by one of the locals.

Hope this helps. It is a very beautiful part of the coast. Also, Swimcart Beach is north of Binnalong Bay alson the sealed road.

Gerry

[lyndoor]

Hi Abowen
A couple of summers ago I walked from Stumpy's Point to Deep Creek (13kms?) in a day. Ferried a car to Deep Creek & then overnighted at Stumpy's campground the day before. We carried water but there might be a tank near the BBQ area at Stumpy's. You would have to check that. BBQ is a push button gas job under an open but roofed shelter with picnic tables. There is also a fairly civilised drop loo, too.
We wanted to camp on the beach but didn't have sand pegs or the know how of burying pouches in the sand at the time. Very windy throughout the day (but luckily on our backs) & in the evening. Need to check on the wind directions as sand in your faces would be painful & frustrating.
I have to say that it was a lot of fun & beautiful sea scenery but next time we will take bathers. Muscles in the backs of our legs were screaming the next day - great workout!

With regards to the crossing at Ansons Bay...My recollection is that it is quite treacherous. An Asian tourist drowned there not so long ago trying to cross. I have seen the spot & I think they crossed in the channel on the beach. The mouth of it ebbing & flowing into the sea had waves criss-crossing in all directions. I'd be getting a bit of advice about it from a tour operator or local.

[abowen]

Thanks everyone. Information is much appreciated. Will pour over some maps at some stage and work out a through walk. Looks like if I want to continue down towards the Gardens I will need to come through Ansons Bay. At least I should be able to get water there.
Cheers
Andrew