Saturday 3/02/2024 Bakers Beach – Archers Knob – Springlawn Lagoon – Springlawn Bird Hide Lookout
Narawntapu National Park, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Larapuna Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Geri Louis, John Louis
Departing from Narawntapu National Park Visitor Centre Parking at 1:10pm we first headed along the road towards Bakers Beach. Being just past low tide on a clear, calm day we had very easy walking on firm sand. Here, there were lots of seashells along the high water mark, interspersed with cuttlefish remains and fragments of seaweed. There were also interesting wind ripples in the dry sand creating artistic patterns where the highest wave of the morning tide had partially wet the sand. John and Sue powered ahead as Geri and I lingered, looking for the most interesting, intricate ephemeral details.
Max elevation: 121 m
Total climbing: 180 m
Total descent: -159 m
Average speed: 4.34 km/h
Total time: 03:20:37
Just beyond 2.5km of beach walking we left the beach at the beginning of the Archers Knob Track. This quickly crosses the coastal dunes to enter the treed slopes on the northern side of Arches Knob all up climbing about 110m in 1km from the beach. Whilst climbing we had a large flock of black cockatoos fly past from the north and we caught good views to Copper Cove and Asbestos Range.
Atop Archers Knob the views back towards our starting point were fantastic. The sweeping arc of golden sand of Bakers Beach is sandwiched between the aqua-blue waters of Bass Straight with dappled, vivid green dune vegetation on the right. Further inland was Springlawn Lagoon whose north-western side is fringed by trees and elsewhere grassland.
Sorell and Bakers Beach from Archers Knob
Our return took us along sandy tracks through the tea tree forest to Springlawn Lagoon. This appears to be a very rich, diverse environment with a dense forest of aquatic plants providing ample food for the plentiful birdlife. We settled into the Springlawn Bird Hide Lookout for a while to make some observations. Noting a pair of black swans within 5m of us, unperturbed by our presence. There were also large numbers of Hoary-headed Grebe and several swifts darting erratically from place to place.
This is a nicely varied walk both in terms of scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Dairy Entry for the Day
“We started the day cheering Steve and Sue along in the Port Sorell parkrun. Commendable efforts by the runners: Sue 1st in age category (4m woman overall) and a PB. Steve 2nd in age category:
John and I went for a bike ride along bike path to Hawley Beach, then through town to The workshop Cale for coffee. (Noisy and not enough seating, but J said good coffee).
We then packed a lunch and went with Sue andSteve to the Narawntapu National Park and did an almost 10km loop walk along Bakers Point Beach, Archers Knob, back via the inland track past the lagoon, (win a stop at a bird hide), to return to info centre. The lagoon was very picturesque with many birds, Eurasian coots, hoary headed grebes, two black swans, pacific block ducks, welcome swallows, a raptor-maybe a swamp harrier), Green parrots, grey fantails, other birds and superb fairy wrens along track. Also oyster catchers on beach.
Back to caravan park via a circuitous long route via Latrobe (taken there by Sues Apple phone navigation – oops! All weary with tired legs Very windy again to day. Beautiful views from the Knob looking over the lagoon and the beach. Bush was quite dry.”
Information on Parks Tasmania signage along the way
Narawntapu National Park beautiful sandy beaches – beautiful birds » breeding right under your feet!
Walk on the Waterline
Hooded Plover, Pied Oystercatcher and other shorebirds breed on Narawntapu’s sandy beaches. Nests are a simple scrape in the sand between the fore-dune and high tide.
Hard to see and easily disturbed. Please walk on the waterline and observe “No-Go Zones’ during the breeding-season (1Sep – 30 April)
Life on the Lagoon
MANY WATERBIRDS can be seen from this hide, particularly early in the morning or at dusk. The combination of dense scrub, open paddocks and a variety of water depths means that a diversity of wildlife is attracted to this small area to feed and breed.
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT
Look for these black birds diving down for small fish.
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Like all cormorants, they may be seen drying their wings while perched on a dead branch.
AUSTRALASIAN BITTERE
This heron-like bird is usually difficult to see as it is well camouflaged, particularly when amongst the reedy vegetation near the shallows of the wetland.
PACIFIC BLACK DUCK
More brown than black, these ducks feed by dabbling for insects, seeds and floating vegetation.
GREY TEAL
These small brown ducks also dabble on the surface for food,
Wading birds such as herons can easily find their food in the shallow water. Cormorants, grebes and ducks use the deeper areas to feed. Watch out for birds of prey, like white-bellied sea eagles, flying overhead or perching in tree tops.
MUSK DUCK
These black-coloured ducks dive deep for their food and males can be identified by their fleshy throat flap.
WHITE-FACED HERON Watch for herons stalking prey in the shallow water.
BLUE-BILLED DUCK Look for the broad blue or blue-grey bill.
BLACK SWAN Their graceful form is most obvious on this wetland.
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE As an eagle glides over the wetland, the other birds are restless.
EURASIAN COOT Look for their white bill and forehead, and diving behaviour.
TASMANIAN SNAKES
Tasmania has 3 species of land snake, all of which are venomous:
– Lowland Copperhead (Austrelaps superbus) up to 1.5m
– Tiger (Notechius scutatus) up to 2.0 m
– White-lipped (Drysdalia coronoides) up to 400 mm
The species you may see here today is most likely to be a Lowland Copperhead snake.
They prefer to live in swampy or marshy areas where they feed on frogs, lizards and smaller snakes.
Snakes are naturally shy animals but may attempt to bite if provoked or cornered. On your walk today, please remain on the boardwalk or formed paths and if you see a snake leave it undisturbed.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Narawntapu National Park, a jewel on Tasmania’s north coast, unfolds a captivating tapestry of diverse landscapes, from sweeping coastal vistas and windswept heathlands to tranquil wetlands and dry sclerophyll woodlands. This haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts boasts a rich geological history, diverse ecosystems teeming with unique flora and fauna, and remnants of its fascinating cultural heritage.
Landscape Features:
Rugged Coastline: The park’s defining feature is its dramatic coastline, stretching from Greens Beach in the east to Bakers Beach in the west. Towering dolerite cliffs sculpted by wind and waves create a sense of power and grandeur.
Sandy Beaches: Sheltered coves boast pristine white sand beaches like Bakers Beach and The Gulch, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.
Coastal Heathlands: Windswept coastal heathlands dominate the slopes above the beaches, showcasing low-growing shrubs like tea-tree (Leptospermum spp.), banksias (Banksia spp.), and native wildflowers.
Wetlands: Pockets of wetlands, fringed by reeds and rushes, provide vital habitat for diverse birdlife and amphibians, adding to the park’s ecological diversity.
Dry Sclerophyll Woodlands: Inland, pockets of dry sclerophyll woodlands, dominated by eucalyptus species like white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) and black gum (Eucalyptus globulus), offer contrasting scenery and habitat for various animals.
Geology:
The dramatic landscapes of Narawntapu National Park are a testament to its ancient geological history. Dolerite columns, formed from cooling lava flows approximately 180 million years ago, dominate the coastline and create impressive sea stacks and cliffs. Subsequent erosion by waves, wind, and glaciers sculpted the diverse coastal features, heathlands, and valleys we see today.
Scenic Highlights:
Panoramic Coastal Views: Hike to lookout points like The Thumbs or Doughboy Hill and be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and rolling heathlands.
Wildlife Encounters: Witness mobs of Forester kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons grazing in the grasslands near the Springlawn Visitor Centre at dawn and dusk. Spot diverse birdlife like honeyeaters, parrots, and raptors soaring through the skies.
Beach Walks: Explore the white sand beaches like Bakers Beach or The Gulch, collecting seashells, soaking in the sun, or swimming in the refreshing waters.
Kayaking Adventures: Paddle along the sheltered coastline, discovering secluded coves, spotting marine life, and enjoying a unique perspective of the dolerite cliffs.
Stargazing: Immerse yourself in the dark skies devoid of light pollution and be mesmerised by the brilliance of the Milky Way and constellations.
Local Flora:
The diverse habitats within Narawntapu National Park support a rich variety of plant life:
Coastal Heathlands: Low-growing shrubs like tea-tree, banksias, and native wildflowers like kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.) and coastal wattle (Acacia sophorae) thrive in the windswept heathlands.
Coastal Scrub: Sheltered areas boast taller shrubs and small trees like coastal rosemary (Olearia axillaris) and boobialla (Myoporum insulare).
Wetlands: Reeds, rushes, and sedges dominate the wetland areas, providing habitat for waterbirds and aquatic plants.
Dry Sclerophyll Woodlands: Eucalyptus species like white gum and black gum form the canopy, while the understory features wattles, sheoaks, and native grasses.
Local Fauna:
Narawntapu National Park is a haven for diverse Tasmanian fauna:
Mammals: Keep your eyes peeled for Forester kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, and even the elusive Tasmanian devil roaming the heathlands and woodlands.
Birds: The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with diverse species like Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius), black swans (Cygnus atratus), honeyeaters (Meliphagidae spp.), and raptors like wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) soaring through the air.
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