Start at the
motor gate to the Cape Hermes Lighthouse. The lighthouse was named
after HMS Hermes, the survey ship that surveyed Port St Johns in
1891. The footpath angles up to the right above the road and up
a small valley to the radio mast. It is steep but every pause affords
magnificent views over the town and river mouth. The mast attendant's
garden surrounds his home so pick your way to the track that zigzags
down the steep hillside to the lighthouse. It is advisable not to
take any short cuts. In season this hillside is a mass of blooms
of Watsonias, Dwarf Erithrinas. Cape Honeysuckle and Plumbago.
When the guard
is present he may allow you to look over the workings of the lighthouse
which is built from local dolomite. From there you can follow the
track back to the gate or you can descend a very steep path (very
slippery when wet) to the lighthouse rocks and then the rocky track
past such famous fishing spots as Skeffington and Paul's Cove to
the old hotel.
Driftwood is
usually piled up on the rocks.
