Freycinet Hazards Circuit
After our amazing recent trip to Maria Island, our next runcation couldn’t come soon enough. So I was hugely excited to be jumping in the car on a Friday afternoon and heading up to Freycinet. After a hilarious evening, the team got up to rain falling like Australia’s international reputation and were soon on our way to Freycinet National Park. We headed out along the Hazards Track, moving at an easy pace, slowing down regularly to navigate sections of slippery rock that punctuated the early sections of the track like capital letters in a Donald Trump tweet.
It was a cool and overcast day, but the trees crowding the narrow track showed no concern for social distancing and made it a lot warmer so I was soon discarding clothes quicker than an adult entertainer with somewhere to be. After about 40 minutes we came down onto Hazards Beach, where we stopped for a quick snack before beginning the long jog along the sand to the far end of the beach.
Much like an episode of any reality TV show, the beach seemed to go forever (although it was much more enjoyable than reality TV). There was a gentle breeze blowing into our faces as we ran and the sand was softer than the Newscorps’ stance on the growing threat of right wing terrorism, but eventually we came to the end of the beach. We considered running further, but eventually decided to turn around and begin our way home.
Much like an episode of any reality TV show, the beach seemed to go forever (although it was much more enjoyable than reality TV). There was a gentle breeze blowing into our faces as we ran and the sand was softer than the Newscorps’ stance on the growing threat of right wing terrorism, but eventually we came to the end of the beach. We considered running further, but eventually decided to turn around and begin our way home.
Near the western end of the beach we took a right turn up the sand dune and onto the short track that crosses the isthmus. There was so much mud. There was really no way of getting through this section without getting dirtier than Australia’s coal industry. The rapid-fire conversation continued as we cruised through the deep green scenery (I am told I might have been responsible for a lot of this- sorry, not sorry guys). It was temporarily replaced with shrieks when Bouch decided to hide behind a tree and jump-scare Elaine.
After a lovely interlude taking in Wineglass Bay from ground level, we began the climb up to the lookout, which rose as sharply as national debt under a liberal government. This wasn’t exactly the most enjoyable section of the run for me, but I was really thankful for a chance to do some stair running as I have done very little hills this year.
After a lovely interlude taking in Wineglass Bay from ground level, we began the climb up to the lookout, which rose as sharply as national debt under a liberal government. This wasn’t exactly the most enjoyable section of the run for me, but I was really thankful for a chance to do some stair running as I have done very little hills this year.
Not stopping for a few photos at the lookout would have been as unthinkable as Scott Morrison doing anything to protect Australians from Covid 19, so we turned right when we reached the saddle and were quickly at the lookout. It was a touch overcast at the top so Wineglass didn’t quite have its usual colours but it is always an amazing view regardless. After a few minutes taking photos (and Gabby taking photos for every other walking group that was up there) we turned and followed the trajectory of Gladys Berejiklian’s reputation heading down to the carpark. For the most part, the new track was smoother than the espresso martini’s Bouch made after the run and Ben observed that Tasmanian runners have a different idea of what “nearly there,” means on the way down, but eventually we came out at the car park.
Today was just another glorious Tasmanian run. Wonderful scenery and company. Not too warm and for the most part we saw few other runners or walkers. Another time I will have to come back here to do the longer circuit but for today, we were happy to head back for swim.