Day 5 - Taylor's Landing to Surfleet Cove: Overnight near Donnington Beach

Jul 12

We would like to acknowledge the Barngarla people, the traditional owners of the land on which we walk, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are present today.

For 2km the track goes inland through varied vegetation, before returning to the eastern coast of Jussieu Peninsula for the remainder to its northernmost point, Cape Donnington.

Day 5 map. The route goes inland for the first third of the day then returns to the coast. The elevation gain 166 metres.

*The swamp tea trees tower over the road.*

Male hiker walking towards camera along a single foot track through head high shrubby vegetation. The sea and islands are in the background. — *Islands everywhere.*

Hiker walking along a single foot track away from camera through dense mallee vegetation. — *The vegetation varies enormously depending on how recently it has been burned.*

*This area is a high fire risk in summer.*

Hiker walking along beach with sea on his right. — *And soon along the beach once more …*

I just can’t believe we have this beauty all to ourselves, every day. It is astonishing.

*The “non existent” hiker camp north of MacLaren Point.*
*The coordinates are: 34 47 16.8 S 136 00 05.2 E*

*The smooth track is easy on the feet*

*- very different to yesterday’s limestone!*

A green wooden track sign with white writing at junction point — *Intersections are well signposted, and the Investigator Trail markers are generally intuitively placed.*

Female hiker walking along a single foot track through dense but low vegetation. She is a long way ahead. — *Birgit speeding ahead … again … we really should have given her more to carry … a lot more!*

*Soon we are no more than a dune from the sea.*

Two hikers stiing on a low limestone outcrop looking seaward having their lunch — *Lunch*

*with a pod of dolphins! They put on a wonderful show, corralling fish, with the young ones leaping and splashing.*

Another wooden green track sign with white writing . 2.8 km to go for the day.

Hiker walking across bare rock at the top of a low cliff. There's is a large fishing boat out to sea. Dots on the horizon are tuna pens out to sea. — *A fishing boat chugs past and a line of dozens of tuna cages come into view on the horizon. We are close to Port Lincoln, yet the lack of other hikers on the track make it feel much more isolated.*

Hiker leaving bare rocky area and entering the bush along a single footed track. The vegetation is dense and quite high on either side of the track. — *The trees are getting taller – this is older, unburned forest.*

A large white tent on a tent platform. It looks as though it hasn't been moved for a long time. — *If you’d prefer there’s “Glamping” available at September Beach Campsite. We take a peek inside. It is pretty downmarket glamping, sort of like a uni student’s share living room.*

Tempting as it was we pass September Beach campsite with its dozens of spots and dozen or so cars, vans and tents, and continue to our water drop just in from the lighthouse at the Cape. We’re after something a little less populated.

Two tents set up on clear ground amongst mallee trees — *We set up camp in the bush near the light house where we’ve left some water*

An island is a short way offshore. In the foreground is a bare rocky area with lots of birds sitting on the rocks. — *…before taking a walk to the lighthouse and point, soaking up the evening rays and Donnington Island, along with some feathery friends.*

A blue bowl filled with thick potato soup. The ais a handful of croutons are sitting on the surface of the soup. — *Potato, leek and artichoke soup with sourdough garlic croutons – yum!*

Next Day

Investigator Trail Planning and Tips

Helen McKerral

Day 5 - Taylor's Landing to Surfleet Cove: Overnight near Donnington Beach

Day 4 - Taylor's Landing to Surfleet Cove: Overnight near Maclaren Point

Day 6 - Taylor's Landing to Surfleet Cove: Surfleet Cove