Day 8 - Gordon River

...She is a 33.8m catamaran, purpose-built for cruising in the sensitive environment of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Her unique hybrid-propulsion system featuring electric motors, allow for quiet cruising while on the Gordon River, making for an unforgettable and immersive experience in this incredible environment. 

And with that we stepped aboard the 'Spirit of the Wild' and settled into Our Premium Upper Deck seats for a 6 hour cruise on the Gordon River. 

30 minutes after leaving Strahan we sight the narrow  opening where the Harbour and the Southern Ocean meet.  THIS is Hell's Gates - yes, it was once hard to navigate but also it was the entrance to Hell on Earth that was the Penal colony of Sarah Island.

Today we had calm seas and navigated the narrow channel with ease. *

We heard stories of ships wrecked and lives lost on the rocks and shallow sandbars.

We travelled past Salmon and Ocean Trout farms, learning about this industry .. and that we will be enjoying a beautiful Chef prepared meal of Salmon from here as part of our lunch.

From Hell's Gates we travel noiselessly down the Gordon River.   

Marvelling at its beauty and being thankful that we still have it.

Time to stretch our legs, we stop at Heritage Landing and take a walk through the temperate rainforest.

With carefully built boardwalks and information on each Tree type and what it was used for - I could have stayed a lot longer here.

But 'Time and Tide wait for no Man' and neither does Lunch!

Back on board we enjoyed a beautiful Buffet with a selection of Tasmanian Produce (and an Open Bar for those that indulge).

We were also treated to a Welcome Coffee & Pastry

Morning Tea - Soup & Canapés

Buffet Lunch

Afternoon Tea - Sweet Canapés & Drinks

"Before Port Arthur there was Sarah Island"

 

Tasmania's Oldest and most Remote Penal Settlement is our next stop.

Isolated, and brutal it operated for just 11 years and in that time it became Australia's largest Shipyard at the time.

With the Ruins slowing disintegrating back into the landscape, and the environment regenerating after being stripped bare for its resources, the stories are re-told by Guides from the Round Earth Company, to remind and educate.

Learning from this, makes us better people and it should never be forgotten or erased from the History Books.

And so we leave the Cold and damp of Sarah Island and return to the 21st Century.

 

We continue Our Cruise, marvelling at the Beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage place and taking way more Photos than I know what to do with.

Before finally docking back at Strahan where we wandered the Port area, chatting to the locals in the shops before returning to our accomodation for the night.

*

This is my favourite photo of the entire tour.

A reminder that there is always a Light to Guide Our Way.

John 8:12

Research and Reference:

Gordon River Cruise:

Australian Geographic - Sarah Island

Day 7 - Visiting Queenstown

Today we are travelling just 2 hrs down the Road to the Township of Strahan.

By 10:45 am we had arrived at Queenstown for Morning Tea and a Walking Tour of the Town

Our Bus collected us, and a Local Guide at the Tourist Train Station and we were taken to the Queenstown Speciality Timber Yard

We learnt about all the different types of Timber that specifically grows in Tasmania and how they are now reclaiming Old discarded Timbers from Scrap heaps and River beds no matter what they look like - for use in High-end Sculptures.

(I loved this piece - Old and gnarled looking very much like a Dragon about to swallow a large River Rock.  I wonder what someone will do with it!)

We Drove through the Historic Lyell Copper Mine opened c 1890 and currently in 'Caretaker Mode' awaiting a decision to re-open.

We saw the effects of the Toxic Metal Pollution of the local Rivers.

And learned of the Environmental and Economic effect the Mine had on the area.

From here we returned to the restored Paragon Theatre, where we were treated to some very Welcome Hot Soup. 

And a screening of a Documentary Film on one of Australia's most significant environmental battles. The 1980s campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River.

From here it is just a 25 min drive to our next Stop.

The Strahan Village Motel. 

Set on a hillside with Views of Macquarie Harbour.

(Pretty good View to wake up to!)

Click the Link to see the Film we watched:

Saving the Franklin River Documentary.

Day 6 - Cradle Mountain

Day 6 marks our Half way point and as usual there is no sleeping in.

At least we didn't have to pack our bags before we headed off for Breakfast today as we are staying an extra night.

The weather hadn't improved and all were thankful that we were not on the road today.

However....  It did make for some very soggy sightseeing.

Cradle Mountain National Park exists today due to the Vision of Gustaf and Kate Weindorfer. 

Having climbed Cradle Mountain in 1910 and seeing the Valley below Gustaf stated...

"This must be a National Park, for the People for all time.  It is magnificent, and People must know it and enjoy it." 

They, along with friends purchased some 1200 acres to prevent it from being logged.

This morning we visited Waldheim Chalet, built as a Home and Guest Chalet from local King Billy Pine.  

It stands as a faithful replica* and memorial to these wonderful Pioneers.

This afternoon, with the weather clearing and a 'Picnic Lunch' in our Backpacks, a few of us and our tour guide, set off to see how much of the Dove Lake Circuit we could manage.

I had Google Mapped this Hike before we left Melbourne and so I knew there were some 'challenging' sections.  

I also knew there was a couple of points where we could turn around if things got tough, but so far so good.

And then it started to rain. 

We had long passed the turn back point but were still to hit the 'difficult' section and...

I started quoting Tolkien

feeling much like I was trudging on to Mount Doom!

The rain turned Mountain sides into Waterfalls and our Path into Streams.

We were glad of our hiking poles and I took time to survey each section before I set a foot forward.

It really was the safest way.

Others had either turned back or were way ahead of us, leaving DH, Myself and our Tour Guide - who was thoroughly enjoying herself. 

I am sure she must have photographed every drop of rain!

And then, you turn a corner and see the 'Home Stretch'

The path not so scary - and lets face it we had long since abandoned any idea of keeping our shoes - or any other parts of us dry!

Last photos of The Dove Lake Circuit - the Iconic Picture Postcard (well... maybe not today) shot of the Boathouse.

Today I learned a new saying ...

"There is no such thing as bad Weather - Just Inappropriate Clothing".

We were beyond wet - 

The only thing left to do was to squelch back to our cabin, wring out our clothing and the contents of our backpacks (including that Picnic Lunch) And be very grateful for the Fireplace in the Room.

It was an awesome day - Would we do Dove Lake again?  Definitely!

We did go for another walk once the sun actually came out, to the Enchanted Forest while the rest of the group went to the Wine & Cheese tasting. 

And today I got a new Fitbit Badge!

Granted when I found out I just had 6 Floors to go I found a deserted staircase - just incase that trip back to our cabin wasn't FIVE floors !!! 

* * * * 

Further Reading & Research (This is why my Posts take FOREVER to write!)

"On 16 May 1922, the land extending from Cradle Mountain south to Lake St. Clair (some 161,000 hectares) was proclaimed a National Park. The park came into being largely as a result of the considerable efforts made by Gustav, Kate and friends – they had campaigned over many years to have the government recognise the unique nature of the region and to preserve it for all to enjoy." *

* Reference: https://www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au/about/history/

**Replica rebuilt after a fire see   parks.tas.gov.au 

Reference for more Information   Gustav and Kate Weindorfer

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone.

Let others follow, if they can!

Let them a journey new begin.

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

tags: life, poem

Day 5 - Woolnorth to Cradle Mountain

Australia has a lot of places that can be said to be in "The Middle of Nowhere" and that is where we are going today.  

To the Northwest Top of Tasmania. 

              -  Cape Grim -

It is isolated and where we are going - you can only get to, 

if you book a tour.* 

The first photos I took today were at 8:25 am. We had already met our Guide and were on our tour of  Woolnorth Station and the Roaring 40's Wind farm.

We have driven through, around and even slept beside Wind Turbines over the years but this time we were privileged to be Educated in the Operation and Management of this Incredible Resource.

We learned bout the Manufacture of the Turbines, Use and Maintenance, and also the End of Life applications for the Turbine Blades.  

Which have been re-purposed into things like Playground shelters or Buried into farmland to create artificial reefs to assist with erosion issues.

We also learned about the Environmental Impact on Wildlife - Where, with careful management the Wild Birds and Tasmanian Tigers have been encouraged to nest away from the Turbines by relocating their diet of Carrion to safer areas - Taking just one Generation to change their patterns.

Some of the more hardier of our tour tested their strength against the might of the Roaring 40's Winds.

It was the only time I saw this Scotsman in a Jacket!  

It was COLD..... and Very, Very Windy.

Also positioned at Cape Grim is the Kennaook / Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station.  

With the closest Landfall being the Southern Tip of Argentina, and having the Cleanest Air anywhere... it has been measuring Air Quality and Pollution levels since 1976.  

Our Tour concluded with a talk on the History of the Area including the Aboriginal Massacre of February 1828. 

Followed by a very welcome Morning Tea.

From here we journeyed South.  Stopping for Lunch and a tour of Lobster Ponds Haven.

Sadly no Lobsters were on the Menu as this is an Educational facility providing information on the endangered Freshwater Lobster. 

From here the weather turned ... Unpleasant.

Whereas this Morning it was Cold, 

Now it was Cold and WET.

So no one minded that we didn't stop on the 125 km drive to our Accomodation for the next 2 Nights at Cradle Mountain.  

When we pulled in to the Information Centre - and I had Mobile coverage again - We found out just HOW cold it was!

Gotta Love the "Feels Like" Temperature!!

It was a long day and we were more than pleased to find a welcoming "Log fire" burning in our Cabin.

* * *

Thanks for staying with me this far.

I have provided links below to Information on the Woolnorth Wind Farm, The CSIRO Air Pollution Station as well as the Cape Grim Massacre.  All of which are well worth further reading.

Woolnorth Wind Farm

Kennaook/Cape Grim Air Pollution Station

Cape Grim Massacre

Day 4: Travelling to Smithton

 

After a lovely 2 Course Breakfast at 

Grain of the Silos - Launceston

we hit the road once more.

A short 4 km sidetrack took us to Cataract Gorge.

Unable to cross the Suspension Bridge as it was being restored, I took the opportunity to take some awesome Reflections Photos.

By the time 10:00 came we were looking for Morning Tea and it didn't disappoint - 

Tea and Scones at the Van Diemens Land Creamery. 

(With Icecream tastings too!)

Anyone would think that all we did was eat - But with a lot of miles to cover today our next stop was 75 km down the road at the delightful coastal town of Penguin, where we enjoyed a Picnic Lunch with the Ducks at Hiscott Park.

Next Stop - Stanley.

Standing 143 meters above the Town of Stanley The Nut is the core of a long extinct Volcano 

It was here that I truly tested going outside my comfort zone.

A Chairlift ride to the top 

And if I had let fear get the better of me I would not have enjoyed the magnificent 360 deg views over the Town, Across Bass Strait and towards Rocky Cape National Park.

Safely back on the ground we head off to Highfield House.

"Highfield Historic Site offers a historically accurate vision of a gentleman's home and farm of the 1830s. The house is being restored over time and its elegant Regency design, convict barracks, barns, stables, and a chapel are surrounded by a large ornamental garden."  **

Highfield House, built by Edward Curr who was Chief Officer of the Van Diemens Land Company in 1824 as a home for his growing family. Times were Brutal and the environment inhospitable.

It has been sympathetically restored over the last 20 years and interesting sections retained.  

I particularly liked the selection of wallpapers on the staircase.

"The approach has been more to stabilise and retain the patinas of age than to restore it fully.

You can see the effects of time and almost feel it's passage at Highfield and the ever-present gusts of the Roaring Forties further adds to that feeling." ***

There is a haunting soundtrack playing in some rooms adding to the atmosphere, bringing a connection with the Past.

Some say the house is haunted... 

I did not sense anything but the coolness that accompanies these Historical properties.

 

Well, that concludes our trip today.  

It has been a big day, travelling 256 km. 

Dinner and accomodation for tonight is at Tall Timbers in Smithton.

Further reading and quote references:

The Nut - Chairlift

Highfield House

Restoring the Timber Floors

** Highfield Quote:

***  Restoration Quote

Day 3 - The Road to Launceston

8:00 am may have bit a BIT early to arrive at a Winery but we were not here for the Wine Tasting,

although that was on offer, 

We were here for an appointment with ...

... A Helicopter!

After the mandatory Safety Briefing it was Off to see Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula from a different perspective.

And it was such a beautiful morning too!

We went out over the water and beyond the breakers

Coming around to see the paths we travelled yesterday..

If you are able to look closely at this photograph  - you can see The Cape Tourville Lighthouse and our Companion 'Chopper.

It was an absolutely awesome experience.

That we both thoroughly enjoyed!

But it ended all to soon and it was time to Hit the Road.

This afternoon we toured the Historic "Woolmers House" circa 1820 - Early 1840's.

There is more to this estate than what our tour covered, but taking into consideration other Historic Properties, we thought it needed a lot of restoration.

Next we were treated to an unscheduled stop at The Tea Equation.

I didn't know that tea was grown in Tasmania having the most Southerly Tea Farms in the World.

And we were treated to as many samples of the different varieties as we wanted.

Back on the Bus and 10 minutes down the road we pulled in to our stay for tonight. The beautiful Peppers Silo Hotel  - Launceston.

Situated on the confluence of the Tamar and North Esk Rivers it is a repurposed heritage building made up of four 35 m Grain Silos.

Today we travelled 190 km - Tomorrow is another Adventure

 

Click the link for more Info:

The Tea Equation:

Peppers Silo Hotel