A couple of hours up the East Coast, and a fun, slightly hairy 4 wheel drive into Little Bluestone Bay, and we were at our camping spot for the night. It was a beautifully warm, summer’s afternoon, and as we arrived we lucked out by securing ourselves the last tent spot in the camp.
We’d had lunch in Coles Bay prior, so after setting up the tents, two climbing crazy adults, four adventure hungry kids, and one landscape photography inspired adult hiked down the hill steps to Lassies Wall, scoping the location and climbs for the next morning.
Right on the coast – as in, one step too close to the edge and you’re toast, because a wave might easily pull you in – this beautiful spot had to be respected for it’s incredible scenery as well as for the reality of its dangerously steep cliffs sides.
After camp dinner and an early night, we woke up to what was to become a scorching day in the early 30s. Two extra keen parents had set up all the top ropes along the cliff side before breakfast and prior to the sun packing some real heat, so we descended for a morning of climbing and investigating on the beautiful white granite boulders.
The morning also turned into the best example of ‘forrest schooling’ the Danish way, with the youngest two using only water holes, sticks, rocks, and a single water bottle to create streams and find water paths between, under, over, and through the massive boulders. A perfect playground, and once they learnt not to go too close to the edge, and had earned my trust, and gained their own confidence, they spent hours playing safely in between climbs. Basically, my wish for the future of the Australian School Curriculum was in evidence right in front of my eyes: nature, student interest, outdoor excursions, inquiring, constructing, and ultimately experiencing and learning through a combination of teacher scaffolding and own initiatives. Confidence building challenges and freedom to explore in Tassie’s fresh sea air, safety at its foundation.
We finished on an even higher high, which is entirely possible in the magnificent Freycinet National Park, at the magical Friendly Beaches, a quick pit stop on the way out of Coles Bay. Never ever have I seen sand quite so white, waves and water as turquoise, skies as blue, or smiles as big, all at the same time.
Pure goodness for the soul. May this year hold much more of that, for everyone.
CHRISTINA NIELSEN FOTOGRAFI 