13 replies to this topic

[Mystic]

Petal Point is situated at the north east tip, in the bay to the west of Cape Portland, Access from Gladstone along the C843 until just after you cross the Ringarooma River, then turn left (well signposted). Continue along this road for about 18km, where you will see a left turn. Take that and a few km down the road you will enter the Petal Point grounds.

There are a lot of different sorts of sites here, some open, some protected, some only accessible by 4WD. Our chosen site was almost directly above the boat ramp. There is a right turn into the shrubbery at the top of the hill down to the ramp. This leads into a very well protected site, ideal for tents.

This is a beautiful area with great water views, safe swimming beach, and some good walks around the point, as well as along the beach. Pelicans aboud, and this is where the photo that I use as an avatar was taken.

The campsite we chose was protected by low trees on all sides, even had a small alcove where we pitched our tent in a little grove. Quite pretty. This site also has a track leading to the toilet facilties (the only facilties you will find). (To access the path, follow the sign that says "Stumpy's Way" there are also a series of yellow coloured rocks to mark the path, so basically...follow the yellow brick road.).

Plenty of bird life around the campsite, good fishing and plenty of abalone here. We found that although there were a reasonable number of people camped here, it still felt secluded and private. The beach is a popular spot for locals on the weekends with many families making the trip out here.

The surrounding area is abundant with wombats, we must have seen at least a dozen whilst we trekked around. Unfortunately most of the ones we saw had been infected by mites and looked rather sad. Should you see wombats that appear as though they are losing their fur please notify Parks & Wildlife ASAP and let them know exactly where you saw the animal. This can help stop the spread of the mites, and hopefully save the wombat from a very painful death.

The downside to this location was that it can get hot here. This is something Taswegian are not used to and we found that we had to get out of here in order to try and find some sort of cooling breeze. Not even taking a swim cooled us down...eventually you simply have to leave the water.

A nice spot though, and I imagine this could have the potential for being an excellent winter location.

for Petal Point.

Petal Point Campsite

Location map

Map supplied by Tasmap, for more mapping information
please see www.tasmap.tas.gov.au

[Shane V]

I was wondering, when we got to Petal Point, if we had left the state and gone to far north Queensland. The beach was long, with beautiful, soft white sand and turquoise water. Add to that the heat and the only things missing from this faux tropical paradise was a cyclone and palm trees.

The ground, in the place we decided to camp was mainly sand. Other places had grass and in different spots there was a bit of a rocky base. Our little hide away was well sheltered, you wouldn't have known we were there unless you stumbled upon us. We had little paths leading in all directions and we wandered through these to discover more of the area. A couple led down to the beach, one to the toilet, which was well marked.

This seemed to be a popular place. Many families came here to take their young children for a swim at the well protected beach. The boat ramp was nearby and there were also many people coming to go fishing or diving from boats. We took a walk along the entire length of the beach and met no-one.

The closest fresh water is located in Gladstone, so fill up before going out to petal point.

There are a lot of birds and we also saw wombats and wallabies.

Overall this is a nice spot. I give it I would like to go back in winter when it is cooler to check it out further.

[toni_n_daz]

Beautiful spot......unfortunately the fishing has been devastated after they allowed a trawler to remove approx 400 ton of flathead

[Shane V]

That's a lot of fish. Didn't do any fishing there, not really a fishing type person. It was just a beautiful place to visit.

[tassiesim]

School holidays coming up and winter , I wonder what the camping situation is like here then anyone feel like a camping trip for a few days hhmmm hint hint my camping companions

[Shane V]

Hey Sim,

When are the school holidays? This is very tempting. Have always wanted to see what this place is like in the cooler months.

[tassiesim]

I have school hols in 3 weeks from now, but looks like my plans have just changed and I may be working will let you know ...

[Shane V]

Okie dokie Sim, look forwaard to hearing from you

[ghosta]

Im surprised noone has mentioned the convict built ruins in the area.

Its a shame they are totaly neglected and allowed to fall into a heap of rubble....

[Shane V]

Hey ghosta,

Welcome I didn't know about the convict ruins in this area. Would you mind enlightening us a bit more about them? Thanks. I know I would like to check them out sometime.

[Mystic]

Thanks for the pic ghosta. Would also like to know more, especially about where in the area they are situated?

[ghosta]

Thanks for the pic ghosta. Would also like to know more, especially about where in the area they are situated?

Head directly North of Petal Point up the beach, go around the headland and along the next beach to the next headland. You will see some cacti at the end of the beach ...thats the cemetary. Look up and you will see the small building in Pic 1. In Pic 2 you can see Petal Point in the background.

History? The original Cape Portland Homestead, built by convicts, early 1800s. Cannot find any more information....perhaps nobody cares about these "old ruins". Certainly Parks and Wildlife dont want to know about them....they hope they will fall into a hole in the ground and dissapear.

It seems a shame...

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[Mystic]

Thanks for that info. Understand now why we didn't spot it...Cape Portland is a private sanctuary with signs advising uninvited guests not appreciated. If these are on that land then they are in private property, hence Parks & Wildlife, etc not doing anything with them. Might have to do some research.

Great shots.

[Shane V]

Thanks ghosta Will definitely have to look into this a bit further, I wouldn't mind seeing these.