Blackmans Bay
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Acknowledgement | by Nick Hancock, originally published in Craglets 6. | ||||||
Introduction | This climbing area is unique in Tasmania in that it consists solely of deep-water solos, a distinct sub-sport developed in sunny south-west England. As a result no ropes are necessary, but a kayak is useful to access the central and most extensive of the three areas. The rock is excellent dolerite rarely more than five metres high with, usually, good deep water to crater into. Deep water soloing is not without risks however, so keep an eye on the waves and weather and the odd rock lurking just below the surface! | ||||||
Access | There are three areas which have been climbed on. The southernmost of them is Double Zawn which is reached by driving 5km south of Blackmans Bay towards Tinderbox, and parking at an unfenced paddock opposite Block 267, from where a scramble leads down to Fishermans Haul Beach. Traverse north to twin narrow zawns. To get to the main area, Pinnacle Zawn, drive to Blackmans Bay and kayak south for about 2km until you spot a square pinnacle in the entrance of a deep zawn. Haul the boats out on the ledge at the northern entrance to the zawn. Alternatively, this area can be reached by driving down Fossil Cove Drv to the coast and then traversing south (possibly some short swims). To get to Soldiers Rocks, drive south out of Blackmans Bay for 1 km on Tinderbox Road then turn left on Suncoast Drive. From the driveway of numbers 47-59 head south behind the gardens of number 63 to steps leading down to the marine reserve, then scramble south to a long south facing wall. |
Stuck In the Pipe 30m 17 About 70m south again, traverse above a narrow seacave in an exciting position.
Fatman's Splash 25m 25 About 100 m south of Pinnacle Zawn traverse the big buttress via an amazing handrail just above the water. Easier from left to right.
