Macquarie Harbour, Gordon River

Monday, Mar. 2

An early start and a walk into Strahan to catch the 9am ferry to The Gordon River. Leaving Strahan, we headed east across Macquarie Harbour towards the harbour entrances known as Hell’s Gates.

Strahan Harbour

Hell’s Gates

As the weather was remarkably good, the skipper decided to extend our cruise further south to see Cape Sorrell and the Cape Sorrell Lighthouse.

Cape Sorrell Lighthouse

On the way towards The Gordon River, we passed the Tassal Salmon and Ocean Trout farms.

Tassal Fish Farms

We reached Sarah and spent an hour on a guided tour around the ruins. After last nights theatre show, all was fresh in our minds.

Sarah Island

We then stopped off at Heritage Landing to checkout the 2000+ year old huon pine tree. Last time I was here with Basil Chin 10 years ago, it was still standing. It was very sad to see it on the ground but from old things, new things grow.

2000+ Year Old Huon Pine

A few metres down the path we came across a 70 year old Huon Pine growing from the remnants of another old tree fallen several years ago.

70 Year Old Huon Pine

On the way back to Strahan we took in the fantasitic reflections on the river along with beers, smoked salmon and soft cheeses left over from lunch.

The Gordon River

That evening we dine at the local seafood restaurant and then popped across the road for some to saver the atmosphere of the local Strahan Pub.

Mike, Colin, Sally and Jan at the Strahan Pub

The Ship That Never Was, Strahan

Sunday, Mar. 1

That evening, we went to see the local production of “The Ship that Never Was”. We had heard about the play but weren’t to sure what to expect. As it was it turned out to be a pantomime about 10 convicts that stole a boat from Sara Is and sailed to Argentina. We had no idea that Mike had auditioned for one of the lead roles and was more then at home on the boards.

Mike in “The Ship that Never Was”

Not to be outdone, Sally and I went out the back and locked two cast members in the toilet and took their places on centre stage (actually, somewhere near the rear).

Sally and Colin in “The Ship that Never Was”

An absolutely excellent day had all round.

The APT Railway, Strahan

Sunday, Mar. 1

We have booked seats on the APT railway between Strahan and Queenstown. A journey that none of us had experienced and there was a level of excitement from all of us. I was a little disappointed to discover that the train was being pulled by a diesel loco and not one of the original steam locos that had been restored for the service. I did find out that the locomotive was an original APT appliance. More pleasant surprises were to come.

APT Railway Train

Sally and Jan on board APT Train

The train followed Macquarie Harbour to the mouth of the King River were it followed the river almost to the King river gorge.

King River

Before we reached the gorge the train stopped for lunch during which we swapped trains. We were told that when the diesel engines were introduce, they were unable to drag the ore trains over the hill where the APT system was employed so they were used for the flat section to Strahan and the old steam local kept dragging the heavy loads over the hill to Queenstown. This would explain why they were still in service when the railway shutdown in 1963.

Steam Driven APT Train

On this leg of the trip, we traversed the King River Gorge

King River Gorge

Before turning north following the Queen River towards Queenstown.

The Queen River

Upon reaching Queenstown, we spent an hour wandering around and then hopped on the coaches taking us back to Strahan.

Queenstown Railway Station

Mt Field to Strahan

Saturday, Feb. 28

Another long drive today to Strahan on Tasmania’s West Coast. Before this, I went to see the Majestic Russell Falls and as Sally had had enough walking yesterday, I headed off alone.

Colin on the Russell Falls Walk

The Falls are excellent. I tried to capture their essence on camera.

Russell Falls

On the trail back, I passed this fallen giant so stopped for a Kodak moment.

Colin inside a Fallen Giant Swamp Gum

The road on the way passed Tarraleah and Tungatinah power stations both been fed from opposite sides of a valley into the one river.

Tarraleah Power Station

We stopped at Lake St. Clair for lunch, but as there where no day facilities there to park the trailer and boil up a billy of tea, we turned around and found a little river bank on the boundary of the NP and made a sandwich and cuppa in a far more suitable scenario.

We drove through Queenstown (a most breathtaking drive down the side of Mt Roland, much to Sally’s dismay and to find out later, Jan’s as well) and onto Strahan.

Queenstown

Strahan was an interesting destination. Luckily for us, Mike had called ahead and booked the two last powered van sites in all of Strahan. This was evident by the number of RV’s parked in any and every available car park in Strahan. As we were setting up in our site located outside the gates (in the front yard of and employee) we saw several RV’s and vans turned away, onto the streets due to insufficient holiday parking in Strahan.

Mt Field NP

Friday, Feb. 27

Mike and Jan headed for the Tarn Shelf Walk and Sally and I drove to Lake Dobson and then to walk to the Mt Mawson Mt ski resorts.

Mt. Field NP

Tarn Shelf from Mt Mawson

Sally and Colin on the Tarn Shelf Lookout Walk, Mt Mawson

Colin on the Tarn Shelf Lookout Walk, Mt Mawson

Lake Dobson from Mt Mawson Ski Resort

Mt Mawson Ski Fields

On the drive back to Mt Field, we stopped and wandered around the Tall Timber nature walk taking in some of these 80m forest giants.

Sally in front of an 80 Swamp Gum

Then back to camp for well earned drinks and a Sally Roast.

Mt Field Campground

South Port to Mt Field

Thursday, Feb. 26

We broke camp early with a long drive ahead. Sally and I drive through Fern Tree on the slopes of Mt Wellington then through Hobart, New Town and New Norfolk.

Derwent Valley from Fern Tree

Mike on the Road to Mt Field

Colin and Friend at Mt Field Campground

Cockle Creek

Wednesday, Feb. 25

As planned, we headed south to Cockle Creek. The camping down here looked excellent and we were all saddened that we couldn’t spend some days here. However, we saw the Whaling Monument and took luncheon at the Parks and Wildlife station on the Southern NP.

Whaling Monument

Cockle Creek

Sally and Colin in front of Cockle Bay

On the way back to South Port, we stopped to at the South Port Railway and although not taking a ride, found the station and stuff there very interesting.

Mike at the South Port Railway Station

We then returned to the Southport Pub (Refuted to be the southern most pub in Australia) for dinner and drinks.