The Sorell Municipality. Community, Coast, Country. The Sorell Municipality spans an area of 583sq km and is home to a beautiful beach-lined coast, picturesque countryside and unique forests. One of the great assets of the Municipality is its stunning natural spaces: beaches, parks, rivers and recreation areas, all of which are highly valued by the local community. This guide has been created to share the variety of experiences available in our Municipality for both residents and visitors alike. 2 Contents Key to Map Symbols 7 Our Tracks and Trails Our Tracks Area Map 8 Introduction - Safety and Conditions 10 Boat Ramps 12 Bike Racks 14 Viewing Areas and Lookouts 15 Dunalley Walkway 17 Lewisham Foreshore Walkway 18 Orielton Lagoon Loop 19 Waterway Trail 20 Wielangta Forest Walk 21 3 Contents Carlton Carlton Beach 23 Connellys Marsh Connellys Marsh Beach 24 Dodges Ferry 25 Blue Lagoon Beach Our Beaches Okines Beach 26 Park Beach 27 Red Ochre Beach 28 Tiger Head Beach 29 Dunalley Dunalley Beach 30 Lewisham 31 Lewisham Beach Marion Bay Marion Bay Beach 32 Midway Point Penna Beach 33 Midway Point Beach 34 Primrose Sands Primrose Sands Beach 35 Pittwater Orielton Lagoon 36 4 Contents Dodges Ferry Boat Park 38 Dodges Ferry Recreation Reserve 39 Dog Exercise Park 39 Skate Park 40 Dunalley Denison Canal Park 41 Our Parks Imlay Street Park 42 Skate Park 43 Lewisham Lewis Court Park 44 Midway Point Billy Kessarios’ Memorial Park 45 Fenton Street Reserve 46 Flyway Island 47 Sweetwater Park 48 Primrose Sands Primrose Sands Park 49 Sorell Pioneers Park 50 St George’s Square 51 RV Short Stay Site 52 Dog Exercise Area 52 Pembroke Park Sporting Precinct 53 Skate Park 54 5 Public Toilets Disabled Access BBQ Key to Map Symbols Map to Key Car Parking Play or Exercise Equipment Boat Access Dog Access Restrictions apply - please check for signage or refer to Sorell Council‘s Dog Exercise Areas brochure. No Dogs Kayaking Fishing Swimming Surfing Beach users advised to avoid swimming 6 Map of Area Map of 7 Safety and Conditions This guide has been developed to provide information about the use of particular areas within our Municipality and the various activities available. Most Southern Beaches are not patrolled and can be dangerous in certain conditions. The eastern end of Carlton Beach is the safest place to swim when surf lifesavers are on patrol. Introduction Introduction Please keep the following in mind: Read and obey all warning signs. If you are unsure of the conditions look for a Life Guard or do not enter the water. Never swim alone. Protect yourself - wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, long clothes or rashies and drink plenty of water. Never swim or go boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you get into difficulty, stay calm, float and raise one arm until help arrives. Weather and conditions are variable, therefore the information in this booklet should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your own abilities. For more information on beach conditions see: www.beachsafe.org.au Tasmania's weather: The weather in Tasmania can be incredibly varied. Always check with the Bureau of Meteorology before going boating or walking. Phone: 6221 2000 Website: www.bom.gov.au. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. 8 Rips: Rips can be recognised by the contrast with the surrounding sea. If the sea is calm, the rip is where there is a channel of ripples in the water. If the sea is rough the rip may be where there is a channel of calmer looking water. If you get caught in a rip don’t panic, float with a rip current or undertow. Do not try to swim against it. To escape a rip, swim parallel to the beach Introduction Boating: For information on boating safety and licences contact MAST (Marine and Safety Tasmania) on 1300 135 513 or go to www.mast.tas.gov.au The environment: For the safety of the environment: Avoid sensitive environmental areas such as dunes and bird breeding areas. Keep to tracks where they are marked. Always take your rubbish with you. Always clean up after your dog - look for the red dog faeces bins. Dog access: Dogs are allowed off lead at some beaches at certain times of the year, but must always be under the effective control of the owner, and responsive to commands. *Please check for local signage or refer to Council’s ‘Dog Exercise Areas’ brochure for further information. 9 Boat Ramps There are five public boat ramps located throughout the Sorell Municipality. Boomer Bay Access off Boomer Jetty Road Public Toilet Boating Fishing Swimming not advised Boat Ramps Boat Dodges Ferry Access off Tiger Head Road Public Toilets nearby @playground Boating Fishing 10 Dunalley Access off Arthur Highway Boating Fishing Very tidal. Small craft only. Boat Ramps Boat Lewisham Access off Lewisham Scenic Drive Boating Fishing Primrose Sands Access off Linden Road Public Toilets situated up the hill Boating Fishing 11 Bike Racks There are several bike racks around the Municipality for you to use whilst you rest, shop or play. Community Administration Centre (Council Offices), Sorell Pioneers Park, Sorell, St George’s Square, Sorell Sorell Park and Ride Facility Bike Racks Bike Flyway Island Park, Midway Point Sweetwater Park, Midway Point Boat Park, Dodges Ferry Shop precinct in Dodges Ferry Primrose Sands Community Hall 12 Viewing Areas and Lookouts There are several viewing platforms and lookouts located across the Sorell Municipality. Dodges Ferry Viewing area at Spectacle Head in Dodges Ferry which overlooks Frederick Henry Bay. Part of the Whale Trail along Tasmania’s East Coast. There is a Whale sculpture, interpretation boards and seating Viewing Areas onsite. Dunalley Canal There are two viewing platforms located along the Dunalley Canal Walkway which provide stunning views over the Canal. Great spot for photography. Marion Bay Beach Viewing platform at the beach in Marion Bay. Overlooks the bay and provides a great spot for watching wildlife and taking photographs. Beach is patrolled by Parks and Wildlife. Marion Bay Scenic Lookout The lookout has forest views one way and ocean vistas the other. Stunning views provide an ideal position for taking photographs. The lookout is approx. 8.5 km along Wielangta Road from the Arthur Highway, via Kellevie Road. 13 Tracks and Trails and Tracks 14 Dunalley Canal Walkway Access off Arthur Highway Concrete and gravel path winds along the Canal from the bridge, through to the Tasman Monument at the junction of Imlay Street and Esplanade. Public Toilets at both ends of Walkway. Two viewing platforms off the Walkway overlooking the Canal. Car Parking at both ends of Walkway. Dunalley Tasman Monument. Seating. Signage along Walkway. 15 Lewisham Foreshore Walkway Access off Richards Avenue A 110 metre long track from Richards Avenue down to the foot bridge crossing China Creek. Gravel steps and track. Dogs allowed on lead. Lewisham 16 Orielton Lagoon Loop A scenic walk or ride around the Orielton Lagoon through Sorell and Midway Point Combination of gravel and concrete/asphalt pathway. Relatively flat terrain, with some uphill section through Miena Point Midway Park. Suitable for a variety of users - walking, running, BMX bike riding, scooters, prams etc. Brilliant views from the Causeway across the water to Five Mile Beach area. Viewing of local bird life. Car parking available at various points along the pathway. Some seating along Loop. Map of full route is available on Council’s website - www.sorell.tas.gov.au - Sorell 17 Waterway Trail Access via Pelham Street and Stores Lane The Waterway Trail is 2.5 metre-wide trail which meanders along the Sorell Rivulet and links Pioneers Park through to Stores Lane. Car parking available. Public toilets - wheelchair access (in Pioneers Park). Access to Waterview Sanctuary (from Stores Lane end of Trail). Storyboards outlining historical and environmental areas of significance are placed along the trail. Sorell Dogs prohibited. 18 Wielangta Forest Walk Wielangta Road provides a scenic drive detour from the Arthur Highway through the forests from Copping to Orford. The Sandpit Forest Reserve picnic area provides a great stopping point for a picnic in one of the two stone shelters. From here you can take the Wielangta Forest Walk, which is a 2 hour return walk that follows the route of an abandoned tramway to the remnants of the old timber milling township of Wielangta. The mill Wielangta Forest operated from 1911 to 1924, with cut timber carted on trams down the coast to Rheban where it was loaded onto a jetty and shipped off. There is also another shorter walk through the rainforest (20 minutes return) at Robertson's Bridge. Marion Bay Lookout is also off Wielangta Road and provides a lovely view over the forests and out to the ocean over Marion Bay. For further information contact: Car Park Sustainable Timber Tasmania Phone: 6235 8353 Woodfired BBQs 19 Beaches 20 Carlton Beach Access via Raprinner Street A popular and patrolled summer surfing and swimming beach, the beach is backed by a coastal reserve. Several walking tracks cross the dune to the beach. Public car park. Public toilet. Swimming conditions - the beach is potentially hazardous, particularly if waves exceed 1 metre. Waves average about 1 metre but can be higher. Beware of rips. Carlton Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club patrols (east end of beach) First weekend in December to the last weekend in March. Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm and Public Holidays. Carlton usually offers beach breaks, however in a big southerly swell the Carlton River mouth bars can produce good lefts, with rights off the Spectacle Head end.