Dropping the pick behind the wreck of the William Pitt

Depending on the map you are reading and who you are speaking with, this is known as Canoe Bay or just 'Walkers'. Walkers Creek runs into the top of this bay within Fortescue Bay and there is a bush walkers track around it's edges too. Walkers therefore suits it well, and we are not so convinced about the Canoe Bay name. This bay is within the Tasman National Park and is a little ripper.

Sea eagle patrolling for dinner

Wreck of the William Pitt.

Shagadelic Baby! these shags love a nice perch.

Fortescue Bay was once a bustling fishing port with a freezer and cannery. Timber was also exported via this bay. The William Pitt (seen above) was at one stage used as a breakwater in another part of the bay near the cannery. It broke loose in a storm and washed up at the head of Walkers creating an interesting folly and breakwater here.

Walkers was the preferred anchorage for up to 10-15 boats, we were told. It's not hard to see why. Among fishermen it's reputed to be the best anchorage on the East coast of Tasmania. That all changed when a National Park was proclaimed. Bulldozers were brought in and leveled the shacks, cannery and all evidence of occupation and then set fire to the lot, we were told! The only evidence left behind was the William Pitt. It's remains a superb anchorage and stunning with it.

Sun going down to the West.

We didn't hog Walkers to ourselves...

....we shared with 13Beaufort.

Fishing for Trevally. Jason worked small nets along the shore all night.

We met Jason the local fisherman. He fishes 4 nights a week and drives a truck for 3 days. He worked his nets all night. It was freezing. In the morning the Bloke called him over to offer him a coffee. He was very informative and grateful for the chat and the coffee and unbelievably, threw a Trevally into our dinghy. Thank you, soooo much Jason!

Golden sun beams illuminating the tree tops just before sunset.

When you anchor here you are in a pond in the middle of a forest. If ever you are down this way, it's an anchorage not to miss and will be treasured in our minds eye as one of the best to date!