A walk that starts on an old 4wd track and heads out to a magnificent and wild section of coastline, passing over Mars Bluff past cliff features and caves, to the magnificent Miles Beach and then up through heath and eucalypt woodland to a cliff overlooking the sea and with wonderful distant views.
Highlights
Spectacular coastal views, interesting rock formations at Mars Bluff, occasional pods of Dolphins and wonderful birdlife on this section of coastline
Track details
From the car park, follow the old 4wd track out past Big and Little Lagoon to the Neck Beach. From here you can at very low tide attempt to skirt the rocks and beach underneath Mars Bluff – passing some extraordinary cliffs, caves and rocky arches, before making your way across to Miles beach. Alternatively, follow the track over the top of Mars Bluff before dropping back down to Miles Beach. Keep an eye on where you exited the sand dunes onto Miles Beach so you don’t miss the spot upon your return. This is a superb, isolated corner of Bruny Island where you may be lucky enough to spot Sea Eagles, dolphins or a seal. Walk to the end of Miles Beach before picking the trail up again and ascending through open heathland and then turning right into Eucalypt woodland before winding up to the top of a cliff that overlooks the sea and superb views of Adventure Bay. This region hosts an extensive Muttonbird rookery. Muttonbirds, or ‘Short-tailed Shearwater’, are an extraordinary bird that migrates annually to the Northern Hemisphere in winter. The Nuenonne people harvested the muttonbirds and their eggs for food for many thousands of years. At the Cape you can, make your way to the top of the headland where you can gain a spectacular view of The Hounds Tooth, a jagged rocky island just offshore. From the cliff make your return journey – either over Mars bluff or at its base with caution at very low tide.
Location
7150, North Bruny, Tasmania, Australia
From the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on North Bruny, drive south on the Bruny Island Main Rd (B66) for 19km until you reach the carpark for the Cape Queen Elizabeth walk, on your left. Coming from Adventure Bay, drive north for 18km on Adventure Bay Road (C630) and then the Bruny Island Main Rd (B66) until you reach the car park to the walk, on your right.
Track details
From the car park, follow the old 4wd track out past Big and Little Lagoon to the Neck Beach. From here you can at very low tide attempt to skirt the rocks and beach underneath Mars Bluff – passing some extraordinary cliffs, caves and rocky arches, before making your way across to Miles beach. Alternatively, follow the track over the top of Mars Bluff before dropping back down to Miles Beach. Keep an eye on where you exited the sand dunes onto Miles Beach so you don’t miss the spot upon your return. This is a superb, isolated corner of Bruny Island where you may be lucky enough to spot Sea Eagles, dolphins or a seal. Walk to the end of Miles Beach before picking the trail up again and ascending through open heathland and then turning right into Eucalypt woodland before winding up to the top of a cliff that overlooks the sea and superb views of Adventure Bay. This region hosts an extensive Muttonbird rookery. Muttonbirds, or ‘Short-tailed Shearwater’, are an extraordinary bird that migrates annually to the Northern Hemisphere in winter. The Nuenonne people harvested the muttonbirds and their eggs for food for many thousands of years. At the Cape you can, make your way to the top of the headland where you can gain a spectacular view of The Hounds Tooth, a jagged rocky island just offshore. From the cliff make your return journey – either over Mars bluff or at its base with caution at very low tide.
Location
7150, North Bruny, Tasmania, Australia
From the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on North Bruny, drive south on the Bruny Island Main Rd (B66) for 19km until you reach the carpark for the Cape Queen Elizabeth walk, on your left. Coming from Adventure Bay, drive north for 18km on Adventure Bay Road (C630) and then the Bruny Island Main Rd (B66) until you reach the car park to the walk, on your right.
Key info
3 - 3 1/2 hours return
12.6km return
Grade 2: Moderate