31 December 2024 Esmeralda Bay Track to Providence Bay and top of Coal Shaft Bay cliffs .
At 9 am a group of us set off for Esmeralda Bay in our tenders to the start of the tracks to Providence Bay and then to the top of the Coal Shaft Bay Cliffs . Some of you may remember earlier historical information which was provided to participants that Providence Bay was named after the ship sailed by Captain Broughton who named the island after himself on a survey mission for Governor Macquarie .
Upon
reaching Providence beach there was an unscripted swim by certain members of the group who used the opportunity to cool down . Note the yacht on the sole mooring in the bay . After this we also visited the local fishing village enroute to the Coal Shaft cliffs .
Left - Providence Bay with some us swimming and a sole mooring in the background . Right – Fishing village cabins in Esmeralda Bay
The walking part of the trek ended with our arrival at the top of the Coal Shaft Bay cliffs from where we could check that our boats had not dragged and were still where we left them .