South Cape Rivulet to Cockle Creek
South Coast Track
The Hike - After six memorable and challenging days on the South Coast Track, it was time for the final day into Cockle Creek to complete what was an amazing trip. Continuing the trend for the last few mornings, we were greeted with overcast conditions as we got out of our tents to start the process of breakfast, packing up and getting onto the trail. With only 13km to get through today across some of the easiest terrain of the whole track, we weren't in a hurry to get going. Donovan had booked us a transfer with Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences to pick us up from Cockle Creek at 3pm and take us back to Hobart.
I love how well Tassie is setup for hikers to come out and be able to easily organise logistics for remote walks. Talking to a few people around camp, it was going to be a full bus back to Hobart, so we were all in the same situation with regards to not being in a rush. While we enjoyed breakfast and slowly packed things away, the local Pademelons from last night joined us. Donovan carefully guarded his breakfast this time but they were interested in the human food. Considering we weren't in a hurry to get going, we ended up being ready for take-off just after 8am, so decided it was better to rest at the finish than dawdle around here for no reason. Leaving camp for the last time, the first part of the morning would be a relaxed walk along the expansive beach at South Cape Rivulet. With the temperatures being on the cooler side, this was first time I left camp wearing my jacket.
The mood was good as we walked along the edge of the creek, admiring the Kelp Gulls as we made our way to the harder sand close to the water. It's an easy start to the day and with the grey lighting, the photos weren't popping as much as when we arrived the previous afternoon. Hoping the conditions would clear, Bronwyn and I posed for Donovan's filming as we walked along the beach. After about 800m we reached the end and a really cool section of coastal cliffs (that we wouldn't be walking along). Exploring the rocks and the washed up Bull Kelp while everyone had a look around, it's always nice to do a bit of beach combing. Leaving the beach via the easily spotted exit point, we would be crossing the first of two headlands, with this one being the smallest hill of them. Walking through the coastal mallee, it was a brief time away from the beach before we were once again staring at the wilds of the Southern Ocean.
