From office to epic — my Three Capes Experience
I work for a walking company, but I sit in an office most of the day.
I sift through countless images of stunning vistas and write descriptions of how you'll feel when you reach the lodge after a long day out on the trail. I concoct the perfect cocktail of words to capture the taste of freshly shucked oysters and the sense of accomplishment as you catch your breath at the top of that ominous peak. I write about how you might start your journey with a group of strangers but end it in united camaraderie, albeit a little sorer and slower than when you began.
If you've received any communications lately, chances are they've come from me—sorry, not sorry.
But I’m not here to tell you about what I do while working for a walking company and sitting in an office.
Recently, I traded my desk for the track—the Three Capes Track, to be precise. A trail that winds its way 50 kilometers around the Tasman Peninsula, a place known for its towering sea cliffs, expansive views, diverse ecosystems, and unpredictable weather. I was somewhat prepared for all of this, but what I wasn't prepared for were the things that truly left an impression on me.
Whale Song
I was lucky enough to share the trail with a perfect stranger named Blake. Radiating positivity, Blake was a joy to be around and a force to be reckoned with when it came to whale spotting. He took it seriously, and we seriously thanked him for it. Over our four days on the track, we saw whales every day. And not just a glimpse of something that might have been a whale, might have been some seaweed, but rather those kinds of mesmerizing, once-in-a-lifetime encounters that you only hear people talk about. Thanks to Blake, it happened over and over... and over again. One such encounter will be etched in my memory forever. It was an epic day—we’d hiked Cape Pillar and the Blade in perfect conditions, and as we made our way back up the dolerite cliffs towards Pillar Lodge, we were greeted by a pod of humpback whales breaching below us, their massive bodies arching gracefully against the backdrop of Tasman Island. It sounds surreal, and that’s exactly how it felt.
There’s something about seeing whales in the wild. Time seems to stand still. There’s no option but to stop and be present, to marvel at their pure existence, and perhaps even to ponder your own. As they made their way along the coastline, they began to sing. An eerie, guttural sound reverberated up the cliff face, sinking deep into our souls. The sound was neither happy nor sad—it simply was. It became clear that they were communicating, connecting with one another, and in that moment, we too felt connected to something greater than ourselves.
Keep reading or view our Three Capes Signature Walk
The Three Cakes Track
I wish I could claim credit for that pun, but it’s an on-track joke that gets thrown around when the weather closes in and the Capes become enshrined with fog, rain, and other Tasmanian weather-related delights. “Not to worry,” the guides will jovially say, “we’re now on the Three Cakes Tour instead!”
We had exceptional weather, I might add, and still got to experience the Three Cakes Tour. At Tasmanian Walking Company, we talk a lot about the food—three-course dinners prepared by culinary experts using local ingredients and perfectly paired with regional wines. But we don’t talk enough about the cakes. Food always tastes better after a day of bushwalking, but hand on heart, these were the best cakes of my life. Of your life, if you book the Three Cakes Tour.
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The Company of Strangers
As a self-confessed introvert, the idea of spending four days, 24/7 with a group of strangers naturally came with a side of mild apprehension. But, to put money where my (marketing) mouth is, I was keen to dip my toe in the water and see what might unfold—and hopefully experience that camaraderie I so often write about.
The group was an eclectic mix—a combination of people you wouldn’t ordinarily curate together, hailing from all walks of life, converging for a shared experience. When you remove people from the walls of urban chaos, you also witness the breakdown of busyness. Add a challenging climb into the mix, and you start to see something even more profound: the stripping away of pretences, replaced by raw and honest connections.
What’s beautiful about taking people out of their every day routines is that it allows them to be more present, more open to new experiences, and, perhaps most importantly, more themselves. For those four days, it felt like we’d known each other for a lifetime. We found ourselves in a bubble of—no word of a lie—united camaraderie, all the while knowing its expiration date was inevitable.
As our host at Cape Pillar Lodge said as we left on our final day:
"It's been a pleasure, and in case I don't see you again, have a nice life."
Raw, unfiltered honesty—just like what nature offers. We serve jam and cream with our scones (freshly baked, of course), but when it comes to nature, we take it on the rocks.
And you know what? I’m bloody glad I work for a walking company and get to have these experiences.
Molly
Keep reading about the Three Capes Track:
Learn about the Tasman National Park→
Our Three Capes Track Reviews→
Stay at Cape Pillar Lodge→
Read our 4-day Three Capes itinerary→
A New Era of Adventure Awaits on the Three Capes Track→
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