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The road from Hobart to
the East Coast passes through the small but interesting settlement of Buckland.
Buckland is renowned for the historical St John The Baptist Church - click on
picture below. Well
worth the stop. Opposite the church there is a turn to the north which
heads towards Oatlands. About 14 kilometers along the road there is a sign
indicating the commencement of the Swan Port State Forest. Directly
opposite the sign is a 4-W-D track which continues along the side of a paddock.
A 30 minute walk along
the road will bring you to the edge of the Bluff River Gorge. (Just keep
to the right near the fence line). At one point there is a sharp right
turn and a slope to a rivulet crossing. A track is encountered near a makeshift
camping ground. The track continues over the fence and a
short walk up the hill takes to to the edge of the gorge. The track to the
right takes you to the start of the gorge walk - a close lookout for the plastic
tape markers needs to be taken. A very different and intriguing walk
passes through the gorge which has been carved out of sandstone. The track
passes by numerous colourful patterns similar to the Painted Cliffs on Maria
Island.
The track is relatively
difficult to find. The river crossing were difficult with a low water
level. The river would not be passable with even a slightly higher than
normal river level. The track is very well marked with tape but can be
difficult to find at times - particularly exiting the gorge at the north
eastern end. The track is quite steep in places and fairly strenuous.
Once leaving the gorge at the end of the walk one of the 4-W-D tracks is
encountered. The main road is a 45 minutes walk out.
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