Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Trip reports, stories, track notes. Multiple/large photos are OK in this forum.
Forum rules
Posting large/multiple images in this forum is OK. Please start topic titles with the name of the location or track.

For topics focussed on photos rather than the trip, please consider posting in the 'Gallery' forum instead.

This forum is for posting information about trips you have done, not for requesting information about a track or area.

Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Son of a Beach » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 10:34 am

For our 10th wedding anniversary, my wife and I spent four nights on Three Hummock Island off the NW tip of Tasmania from the 3rd to the 7th of January. The weather was superb (contributing to severe bushfires in other parts of the state). We did some easy day walks, diving (snorkelling), watched the shearwater (mutton bird) flock arrive back at the rookery, relaxed and basically just had a fantastic time on a wonderful island.

You can get a lot of information about the island, its history and the facilities there on its website at: http://www.threehummockisland.com.au

John and Beverly, who manage facilities there, are excellent hosts. They clearly have a great passion for the island and want to share that passion with visitors. They are doing a great job of looking after the place and they want to make sure that visitors enjoy their time there, and see and do as much as possible.

The flights to and from Wynyard (thanks to Seair) were a great part of the holiday and not just a commute, thanks to the brilliant views of Tasmania's spectacular coastline.

It was the first time my wife had ever been snorkelling, and that kind of thing is very much outside of her comfort zone. She ended up doing very well with a short snorkelling session every full day that we were there. I was very impressed with her when she got back in the water the day after we came very close to a 1.5m wingspan ray which really freaked her out.

Now for some photos...

IMG_0551.jpg
en route from Wynyard - Table Cape
IMG_0551.jpg (45.59 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0557.jpg
en route from Wynyard - Boat Habour Beach
IMG_0557.jpg (65.96 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1268.jpg
en route from Wynyard - The Nut, Stanley
IMG_1268.jpg (69.79 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1269.jpg
Sand patterns near Stanley
IMG_1269.jpg (71.68 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0588.jpg
Three Hummock Island
IMG_0588.jpg (43.08 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0592.jpg
Eastern end of Home Beach including The Marbles
IMG_0592.jpg (56 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0599.jpg
The settlement (as viewed just before landing) consists of three houses, a few sheds and an extensive vege garden.
IMG_0599.jpg (98.44 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0602.jpg
View of Home Beach from The Homestead where we stayed for four nights
IMG_0602.jpg (100.45 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0605.jpg
On the rocks near the jetty with Golden Beach in the background. The rock is granite with the largest feldspar crystals I've ever seen (up to about 10cm).
IMG_0605.jpg (96.59 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0609.jpg
Cape Barren Geese (introduced) are everywhere on the island (this pair is at the north end of Golden Beach).
IMG_0609.jpg (119.75 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0622.jpg
Walking along Home Beach towards The Marbles
IMG_0622.jpg (42.03 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0625.jpg
Looking towards The Marbles
IMG_0625.jpg (97.51 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1282.jpg
Standing on a rock near The Marbles
IMG_1282.jpg (41.91 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0639.jpg
In the early mornings and in the evenings there were Kangaroos everywhere.
IMG_0639.jpg (81.1 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0648.jpg
Granite near Burgess Point
IMG_0648.jpg (113.23 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1293.jpg
Amongst the granite near Burgess Point
IMG_1293.jpg (106.2 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1298.jpg
On a rock north end Spiers Bay
IMG_1298.jpg (72.85 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


PTDC0017.jpg
Ray - not sure if this is a Smooth Stingray or an Eagle Ray - about 1.5m wingspan, so not the largest I've seen but enough to seriously freak out my wife on her first proper snorkelling session
PTDC0017.jpg (50.88 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0654.jpg
The Five Sisters at the south end of Spiers Bay
IMG_0654.jpg (53.73 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0672.jpg
Even the coat rack had a real holiday look.
IMG_0672.jpg (63.59 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0678.jpg
View from the top of South Hummock (highest point - but not very high). 3h 10m return (including detour to Granite Hill) walking solo in ridiculously unsuitable K-Mart canvas elastic side beach shoes. Still not sure why I didn't do this one barefoot, as it would have hurt my feet a lot less.
IMG_0678.jpg (83.33 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0683.jpg
Panorama looking East from Granite Hill towards South Hummock
IMG_0683.jpg (37.15 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0687.jpg
View of Home Beach and settlement from Granite Hill with Hunter Island in the background
IMG_0687.jpg (111.42 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


PTDC0021.jpg
Getting back into the water the day after the ray experience - very brave of her as it is way out of her comfort zone. I was proud of her.
PTDC0021.jpg (134.94 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


PTDC0031.jpg
Snorkelling
PTDC0031.jpg (43.14 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


PTDC0033.jpg
A few fish
PTDC0033.jpg (58.85 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_1304.jpg
Perfect weather - the view from the Homestead again
IMG_1304.jpg (69.77 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0690.jpg
Fading sunset over Hunter Island while waiting for the Shearwaters (Mutton Birds) to return to the rookery under the protection of darkness
IMG_0690.jpg (37.56 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0691.jpg
View of Home Beach and the settlement just after take off, en route Wynyard
IMG_0691.jpg (61.26 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0721.jpg
The Nut and Stanley, en route Wynyard
IMG_0721.jpg (48.63 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0726.jpg
Bushfires behind Sisters Beach / Rocky Cape area
IMG_0726.jpg (41.32 KiB) Viewed 21837 times


IMG_0735.jpg
Table Cape, en route Wynyard
IMG_0735.jpg (73.54 KiB) Viewed 21837 times
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby ULWalkingPhil » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 11:13 am

That would be a great place to go hammock camping.
User avatar
ULWalkingPhil
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2316
Joined: Wed 05 Jan, 2011 2:14 pm
Region: Queensland

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby north-north-west » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 6:30 pm

From the wings and snout it looks more like an Eagle Ray, but it's hard to be sure from that shot. I didn't think they got that big, either.
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens."
User avatar
north-north-west
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 15069
Joined: Thu 14 May, 2009 7:36 pm
Location: The Asylum
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Social Misfits Anonymous
Region: Tasmania

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Strider » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 6:42 pm

north-north-west wrote:From the wings and snout it looks more like an Eagle Ray, but it's hard to be sure from that shot. I didn't think they got that big, either.

Definitely an Eagle Ray. They get that big....
User avatar
Strider
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 6030
Joined: Mon 07 Nov, 2011 6:55 pm
Location: Point Cook
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Son of a Beach » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 6:49 pm

Apparently Smooth Stingrays get to 2m (which I didn't realise until looking it up the other day), are quite placid, and often sit on the bottom with their tail pointing straight up like the one we saw. Eagle rays get much bigger and are also quite placid, and have long thin tails like the one we saw.

The ray we saw at Three Hummock Island had covered most of its skin with sand, so I couldn't tell what colour it was or if it had any particular pattern or markings on it.

(I once watched a nearly 3m eagle ray swim right under me in less than 2m of water down at Coles Bay.)
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby corvus » Fri 11 Jan, 2013 7:54 pm

Nice one
SoaB it has been on my to do list for many years :)
corvus
collige virgo rosas
User avatar
corvus
Vercundus gearus-freakius
Vercundus gearus-freakius
 
Posts: 5538
Joined: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: Devonport
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Nuts » Sat 12 Jan, 2013 10:56 pm

Looks great Nik!!
iv'e had my kayak out around Robins/Walker, the area is teeming with sea life. Must get to 3 Hummock one day, chickened out on the crossing, the tides are pretty edgy around those islands.
User avatar
Nuts
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 8632
Joined: Sat 05 Apr, 2008 12:22 pm
Region: Tasmania

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Son of a Beach » Sun 13 Jan, 2013 2:28 pm

Yes, they warned us that the tidal flow can be as much as 8 knots through those passages and many people have got into strife because of that, even in small motorboats.

I did notice that the marine charts suggest it is only up to 2 knots though.
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby stepbystep » Mon 14 Jan, 2013 11:23 am

Thanks for sharing Nik, looks to be a great getaway, and congrats on the anniversary :)
The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders ~ Edward Abbey
User avatar
stepbystep
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7707
Joined: Tue 19 May, 2009 10:19 am
Location: Street urchin
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby ofuros » Tue 15 Jan, 2013 11:07 pm

Great island get-away, Son of a beach.
Looks like you had some great weather too......

You sparked a few long forgotten memories......
Chased mutton birds in my younger days on that very island,
tiger snake heaven in the rookeries. As you said the returning shearwaters at dusk is something to behold.
Glimpses of fast moving pods of dolphins offshore & free diving for crays & abalone in our spare time.
Lots of secluded bays to explore.

Thanks for sharing those pics.....its a very special place, overlooked by many.
Mountain views are good for my soul...& getting to them is good for my waistline !
https://ofuros.exposure.co/
User avatar
ofuros
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1919
Joined: Fri 05 Feb, 2010 4:42 pm
Region: Queensland
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Nick S » Wed 16 Jan, 2013 8:42 pm

Thanks for posting Nik, never really noticed that corner of Tassie before.
Looks like a chilled out place for a holiday. You see many lobster or abalone?
User avatar
Nick S
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
 
Posts: 624
Joined: Thu 20 Mar, 2008 4:55 pm
Location: Launceston
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Son of a Beach » Thu 17 Jan, 2013 7:49 am

I saw a lot of large abalone. I didn't see any crays, but I wasn't really looking for them. I don't scuba and didn't have a weight belt.
Son of a Beach
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 7014
Joined: Thu 01 Mar, 2007 7:55 am
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Bit Map (NIXANZ)
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Overlandman » Mon 21 Jan, 2013 2:45 pm

Brought back some memories, I had a few trips over to THI during the 80's / 90's when I was Flying.
Spent some time with Eleanor & John Alliston, plenty of stories there, got both of Eleanor's books, great reading.
Glad you had an enjoyable trip.
Regards Overlandman
Whatever, Wherever, Whenever
Overlandman
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1566
Joined: Sun 13 Nov, 2011 5:22 pm
Location: Tasmania
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby Robbins1 » Mon 04 Feb, 2013 7:29 am

hi SoaB,

first post here. Can't carry a pack anymore due to dodgy old knees but sea kayaking is my passion and I have spent many, many weeks paddling around the Robbins / Walker, Three Hummock, Hunter and Albatross Islands area.

It is an area that not many people even think about getting to - truly a jewel in Tasmania's crown. Shepherds Bay on Hunter Island must be the best kept secret - easily rivals Wineglass Bay and there are no b....y tourists :D

Love the forum - takes me back to the days when I could lug a pack on my back,

cheers

Iain
Robbins1
Nothofagus cunninghamii
Nothofagus cunninghamii
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu 31 Jan, 2013 10:32 am
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Male

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby myrtlegirl » Mon 20 Jun, 2022 4:14 pm

I went to THI shortly after seeing SoaB's post. A really good trip, lots of beach combing, snorkelling, walking. We stayed in the accommodation.

I'm wondering if anyone has camped at other areas on the island for a few days, such as Mermaid Bay up the N end or West or East Telegraph beaches? Initial enquiries some years ago suggested you needed permission and this probably wouldn't be given, but without giving too much away I've since heard from a reputable source that this may not be the case.

PM me rather than post here.

Cheers,
myrtlegirl
myrtlegirl
Athrotaxis cupressoides
Athrotaxis cupressoides
 
Posts: 154
Joined: Wed 06 Jan, 2010 3:40 pm
Region: Tasmania
Gender: Female

Re: Three Hummock Island (many photos)

Postby tastrax » Mon 20 Jun, 2022 6:31 pm

...and if folks would like to help with some conservation on the island then there is always this Wildcare group that visits annually (or maybe twice a year?). Lots of sea spurge to pull!!

https://wildcaretas.org.au/branches/wil ... ck-island/
Cheers - Phil

OSM Mapper
User avatar
tastrax
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2047
Joined: Fri 28 Mar, 2008 6:25 pm
Location: What3words - epic.constable.downplayed
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: RETIRED! - Parks and Wildlife Service
Region: Tasmania


Return to TAS Trip Reports & Track Notes

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests