Waterhouse Solitude

 

Waterhouse Conservation Area was our quick weekend getaway destination. Waterhouse is about a half hour drive from Bridport on the North East coast of Tasmania. The gravel road to get into the campsites was very corrugated which made for a slow drive in. It takes a good 15 minute drive along the bumpy road to get to the campsites. Waterhouse is one of our favourite camping destinations having camped here many a time before. So we knew exactly where we were wanting to camp and headed straight there and to our surprise Casuarina campsite 3 was completely free. We chose a spot in the corner that had a view of the ocean and setup camp. 

After my last camping trip of having some rude families setup their camp a metre from our tent, it was so nice to be able to camp in solitude with no one around. We were lucky enough to have the campsite to ourselves all weekend. 

After setting up camp we had some tea and watched the full moon rose on the sky while listening to all of the environmental sounds surrounding us. I could really feel my body relax in the seat and my mind start to unwind. 

The next morning after a sleep in and a lovely cooked breakfast by my master chef we got ready for the day to hit the beach. We checked out the waves at one particular spot as  my partner was going spearfishing. The wind was up a bit in this location so we decided to go to the boat ramp called Blizzards Landing, as this location was sheltered and a good place for a dive. Looking out across Waterhouse passage you can see the beautiful sand capped beach on the base of Waterhouse Island. There is one house perched on the hillside of this island and it looks so remote. Wish I had a boat to go over and explore the island. 

So I dropped Mick off to go spearfishing, jumped in the car and went to start it and the battery was flat. It was flat a few weeks earlier also. Mick had no idea as he was head down under the water. So I sat there and waited only fifteen minutes when I saw two cars coming. I jumped out and flagged them down and asked for some help charging the battery. They were lovely and got my car started again. I jumped in the car and drove to Bridport to the mechanics and luckily they had a battery that fitted my car and I got it replaced. I headed back in  just enough time.

We headed back to our campsite and had some lunch and then Mick headed back out for another spearfish and I read a book for half an hour and then went for a drive to a lookout on Homestead Road to take some photos. The photos were of Ransons Beach and looking out over Ringarooma Bay. 

I then decided to take a stroll up Ransoms beach to the rocks at the end of the beach. It was here I captured a few interesting pictures. A few pictures of birds on rocks and I found a really unusual rock that looked a bit like a crown.

I returned to camp to wait for Mick. He returned with some decent size flathead, abalone and a crab that he wanted to show me. I took some pics of the crab and then he released it back into the water.

We decided to go for a drive before tea along a soft sand 4WD track that we passed on our way in. This track took us to North Croppies Beach. We jumped out to take a look. You could also see South Croppies Beach which you access from a 4WD track extending from the end of the Blackmans Lagoon Road to the beach. It’s always good checking out new spots and seeing if they are any good for spearfishing.

We returned to camp and cooked up some tea. We headed to the beach for an evening fish, but the wind was up and we had no success. So back to camp to rug up and relax under the full moon and stars. 

Sunday we woke to the most perfect weather, not a drop of wind could be felt. It’s always the way when it is pack up day that the weather is perfect. We had all day to get home so we decided to hit the beach in the morning. The water was extremely flat and blended in with the horizon. Mick went for a final dive. I went for a walk up the beach and then hit the water for a swim and snorkel. 

The water was so refreshing and so super clear that I could see so far in front of me. Saw a few fish swimming around some rocks. I headed back from my swim feeling rejuvenated. I have just completed two rounds of chemotherapy and have lost my hair and I have to say the ocean water felt so nice on my scalp. 

I had the best short break camping at Waterhouse. I felt so relaxed being out in nature and the solitude was good for my soul. Definitely one of our favourite locations to camp in Tasmania.