The South Coast Track
Walk Description
Nomenclature: The 85km South Coast Track, from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek , was originally an escape route for shipwrecked sailors. Now a multi day walk for bushwalkers.
Location: The track can be walked either west to east or east to west.
Trackhead: Melaleuca or Cockle Creek
Walk Length: 85km
Walk Grade: LR
Latest Date of Information: 2022
Estimated Walking Timeframe: 6-7 days recommended.
Car Parking Area. Parking is available at the Cockle Creek trackhead.
Map: 1:100000 Map Area Map Track
Grid: GDA94
THE WALK
Melaleuca – Point Eric. 13.7km 4-5 hours.
Overview. The walk from the airstrip to Point Eric is on an excellent track followed by a 3km beach walk. Much of this track is boardwalk or hard dirt. Water is readily available from numerous creek and stream crossings.
Cross over the airstrip and follow the dirt track, with track arrows, for about 400m before crossing the bridge over Moth Creek, and the pad begins. The well-defined track continues across the plain. After 6.3km from the start, the track divides; the main track continues on and the Wilson Bay track veers to the right (west). Continue following the main track. After another 600m there is the option to veer off the track and climb New Harbour Range; about 3 hours return. The main track continues around the eastern lower slopes of New Harbour Range and joins Cox Bight. Onto the sand and a 1km beach walk to Freney Lagoon campsite. This is a good, sheltered campsite for about 10 or more tents; plus, beautiful fresh water flowing out of Freney Lagoon. There is a toilet at the campsite.
Continue up the beach for another 1.2km then up the steps onto Point Eric and follow the track for about 300m to the campsites on the following beach. This is a beautiful campsite in a very sheltered bay, with water available from Goring Ck, about 5 minutes further up the beach. Great swimming. There is a toilet at the campsite.
Point Eric – Louisa River 17.6km – 6 hours
A good 3km-beach walk follows from Point Eric to a good campsite on the E side of Cox Bight. Care should be taken during high tide when crossing rocky outcrops along this beach. I have been told there is a hut located about 300m inland about half way between Point Eric and the Buoy Beach. This hut is apparently from past tin mining in the area. The track crosses the Buoy Creek on the E side of the Bight then departs the beach heading inland. The campsite is 50m along this track. Room for about 5-6 tents in this area. Other small campsites are located in the area suitable for single tents.
The track has been upgraded and with many km of boarded track which makes going easy. After a couple of km the track crosses Billarichi Ck and climbs over Red Paint Hills, a good solid climb with views back to the coast. The track then drops away down to Faraway Ck with steps leading into and exiting this beautiful crossing. After a further 1km (the last hundred meters in thick mud) the track crosses Louisa Ck on a bridge. There is a small sheltered campsite on the western side of the Creek. After a short steep climb the track continues eastward. Look out for the track to Louisa Bay a few hundred meters past Louisa Ck. (The sidetrip to Louisa Bay is about 6.2km and takes 2-3 hours return. There is a campsite at Louisa Bay). The track then meanders around Spica Hills with a lovely lunch spot at the creek on the eastern side of the hills. A small bridge crosses this creek. The track then crosses button grass plain and is mostly duckboard for the first 2km, which is a pleasant surprise.
Cross the Louisa River and the Louisa River campsite is located on the E side of the river and has camping for 20-50 tents in many locations adjacent the river. (There are campsites and toilets on both sides of the River).
Louisa River – Deadmans Bay. 12.3km – 6 hours
Follow the good track out of the campsite and onto the plain. After about 1km the climb over the Iron Bounds commences. This is a good steady climb and took 2hours 20 mins to reach the highest point of the climb. Good views back to the coast and the terrain is easy going and boarded on the top. The track then starts the slow descent with about a 1.5km walk on duckboards before the true descent begins. A small campsite is located at Liawenee Ck about 1km E of the highest point of the climb around GR 569826. The descent is difficult and hard on both legs and body. Tree roots and mud plus large step-downs are common. A small campsite is located around GR 573812 and the low campsite is located around GR 575804 in the forest after the main descent.
The route from the bottom of the climb to Little Deadmans Bay is a re worked track and is well marked and an excellent dry track that follows the ocean. This was a real treat after the total confusion of past walks when the track crossed the button grass plain traveling all directions.
The campsite at Little Deadmans Bay is excellent and located beside a good creek. Room for about 15 tents in two large open but sheltered adjacent sites. This is the first of only two places where a fire may be lit.
Deadmans Bay – Prion Boat Crossing: 10.6km – 4 hours 30 minutes
The track descends onto the beach at Little Deadmans Bay then at the end of the short beach climbs up onto the buttongrass plain. Within meters the mud commences and the going is real slow around Deadmans Bay. The track drops down onto Turua Beach and passes a campsite on the eastern side of Deadmans Ck. Continue along the beach passing around a rock outcrop onto a second stretch of sand. Leave the beach near a small creek and the track then ascends to pass above Menzies Bluff, with its rocky cliffs, before descending down to Grotto Creek on the western end of Prion Beach. This is the entrance to Prion Beach. A 4km beach walk follows but it is easy going with excellent views of Precipitous Bluff from the beach. Near the end of the beach turn upstream into New River Lagoon and the row-boats for the boat crossing are easily visible about 100m around the dunes. Good view to Precipitous Bluff. Crossover the 200m crossing on the boats and there is a good campsite for several tents on the E side of the Lagoon. Fresh water is available from a creek about 200m up lagoon from the campsite.
Prion Boat Crossing – Granite Beach: 13.2km – 5-6 hours
The inland track commences from the campsite and follows above the beach for about 2km before crossing the Milford Ck at the bridge. The track then meanders around through open forest before exiting onto open terrain.
After about 2 hours there is a signposted junction for the short 450m each way sidetrip to Osmiridium Beach. There is a large sheltered campsite with toilet just after the track crosses Tylers Ck, and a pad leads down to the beach. A beautiful beach accessed along the wide Tylers Ck. Beach view E and Beach view W. View beach up Tylers Ck with PB in background.
Continue on the main track and cross Tylers Ck continuing SE across the open and muddy Rocky Plains. After the Rocky Plains the track continues ascending and descending through light forest for 2km before the track descends onto the beautiful and sparkling Surprise Bay at a marker. Follow the beach in an E direction crossing the fresh water Surprise Rivulet. At the E end of the beach, climb up from the beach and the good campsites for about 10 tents is located about 100m inland.
The track then ascends steeply up over a ridge before descending onto Granite Beach. While climbing there are good views back to Surprise Bay and the coast. Once on Granite Beach good views to Granite Cliffs to along the beach to the east. From the W end of Granite Bay walk along the beach, (rock hopping if the tide is high) to the E end of the Bay. The last 100m of the beach walk is rock hopping even in low tide. Just after Sandstone Ck outflow a short sharp cliff climb beside the waterfall follows. At the top of the waterfall the track ascends E for 200m where a reasonable camping site can be found. There is room for about 5-6 tents on level ground with room for many more on uneven ground. A toilet is located at this campsite. Water is available from the waterfall.
Granite Beach – South Cape Rivulet 9.6km – 5-6 hours
The track from the campsite immediately climbs up to the top of South Cape Range. This is another arduous climb with reminisces of the Iron Bounds. Lots of uphill with some muddy sections; but limited views. The views on the latter part of the climb are excellent with views to the north of the sharp Pindars Peak and flat Mt La Perouse. At the top of this climb good views to the Ironbounds, La Perouse and Leillateah, Pindars Peak and La Perouse, and Pindars and Precipitous Bluff (just in view).
The track soon becomes very muddy and going is real slow with mud, mud and tree roots being the norm for a couple of kilometers. This is a muddy section and probably the worst of the entire South Coast track; although much better in late summer. In summer water is available at an unnamed creek about 500m (20 minutes from the camp) west of the Track Cutters Camp. This good but dry (no water) campsite is located adjacent the track at GR 55 G 478439 5172292 and has room for about 6-8 tents. The track now contours around the ridge and again the going is slow due to tree roots; but a lot less mud. The last 2km into South Cape Rivulet is pleasant forest walking. There is a campsite on both sides of the Rivulet. The one on the western side has spaces for about 8 – 10 tents and a homebuilt table. Crossing South Cape Rivulet at low tide has about knee high water (in summer) and when the tide is in, lift the pack overhead and wade across the 10m of water waist deep. A good campsite is located on the E side of the Rivulet. However hang food as the native wildlife is hungry. Water is available from the Rivulet, although in high tide it may be necessary to walk upstream to get fresh water as the Rivulet is tidal. A toilet is located near the East campsite.
South Cape Rivulet – Cockle Creek: 11.2km 3-4 hours
The track follows the beach E for about 600m, view back to Rivulet, and a marker leads the route inland; before crossing over a small headland to a most beautiful beach leading towards Coal Bluff. A small campsite (about 3 tents) is located on the E side of this headland overlooking the beach. Drop down to the beach, at the exit, and follow the beach for about 500m and the route ascends from the beach, at a marker, and climbs sharply around Coal Bluff to Lion Rock Beach. An excellent viewing area is located on Coal Bluff looking back W to South Cape Rivulet and beyond. Good view of Lion Rock during the walk. Drop down past the marker onto Lion Rock beach the campsite for about 8-10 tents is located about 50m along on the left (N). Steps lead to this campsite. Good view to Lion Rock.
Another 600m beach walk along Lion Rock Beach, then wooden steps ascend from the beach; good view back along beach to Lion Rock. The track now bends around a volcanic headland before the track turns NE and heads towards Cockle Ck. Water is available from a creek 1km NE of the beach and the track crosses over a good creek about 1.4km into the walk. The walk from the beach to Cockle Ck takes about 100 – 120 mins and is mostly over duckboards or well trodden path. Finally the end of the track appears at Cockle Ck and the signoff book at the Parks booth. Camping is available at Cockle Ck with water available from a tap.
