St Helens, Bay of Fires, Douglas Apsley NP 6th-7th February

Flowering Eucalyptus

The first thing that hit us as we drove through this part of the coast was the beautiful flowering eucalyptus trees they really put on a show and were brimming with flower along the streets of Ansons Bay, St Helens and Binnalong Bay.   

Binnalong Bay

Like so many of the small towns along the east coast, St Helens came to early prominence as a safe haven for the whalers and sealers. The discovery of tin at nearby Blue Tier in 1874 transformed St Helens  into a major port servicing the tin mines and the main transit point for the thousands of workers, including Chinese immigrants, making their way to the diggings. The mines prospered up to the turn of the century and when they finally closed many of the miners resettled in St Helens.  

Today St Helens is home to a commercial fishing fleet.  It’s also a major tourist centre with visitors attracted to its beaches, game-fishing and SCUBA diving among magnificent kelp beds and underwater caves.  We checked out Binnalong Bay and then onto the Bay of Fires intending to have a good few sunny days at one of the five Camp grounds dotted on the 13km stretch of Conservation Area.  

 Lines used to launch boat

The area is certainly spectacular and the camp grounds are quite large but they were packed - we hadn't realised that  Tassie has 8 weeks of school holidays and there is no charge for the stay (up to a month), you just need your park pass.  The campgrounds were full to over-brimming so we decided to enjoy the beauty of the place and find somewhere a bit less crowded to stay.  

Spectacular Gorges

We arrived at Douglas Apsley NP around 6pm so with still plenty of sunlight we decide to take a look about. Spectacular river gorges, waterfalls, tranquil pools, large stands of dry eucalypt and pockets of rainforest combine to make this a wonderful experience.  We washed off the salt water in one of the clear (very cold pools) and enjoyed the tranquility of this special place.

Anne taking a dip

  

We were not planning to come to this park and knew very little about it but if you get the chance go there some great walks and really worth a look.

Mount William National Park 4th - 6th Feb

Mt Williams NP - Stumpys Bay

We left the Tamar region and headed for Mt Williams NP stopping off along the way for a haircut (Rob) and explore towns along the way.  We crossed the mighty Tamar river and stopped for a walk around the Waterhouse Conservation area.  Its great to travel the back roads and out of the way fishing villages.  Rain has started-up again.....

Arrived at Mount William NP late afternoon with storm looming over the long lonely white sandy beaches, (no-one but us at our campground).  We decided to make the best of the sun and explored the beaches, coastal lagoons and granite boulders. The bird life was abundant and we met a friendly local (a Bennetts Wallaby), soaking up the afternoon sun who didn't seem too worried by our presence. 

Bennetts Wallaby

We got back to our camp both  wet, but glad we got to see so much of the area.  The next day was rainy and windy but we decided to put on our coats and explore the Northern section of the park (Cape Naturaliste and Musselroe Bay).  

Feisty Fairy Penguin

We met a penguin who we thought must have been injured, as he didn't move at all as we came closer, but, just as Rob went to examine him more closely  he was most feisty indeed, and let us know that he certainly had no injuries.  Later in the day the sun broke through in patches and the wind dropped which was most appreciated.  We loved this National Park - Tasmania really has some very special places.

Sand dunes with lots of animal tracks

Pure white sand dunes were also a feature of this park.  The picture on the left depicts animal prints in the sand.  Another feature of this park is that we rarely saw anyone else we just shared the beaches with the animals.

Below are some of my favourite pics of this area - click on them to enlarge.

Coastal Lagoon

Coastal Lagoon

succulent creeping plant

Native Pigface

Unusual sea sponge shell attached

Fishing boat taking shelter in bay

Cape Naturualiste

Granite Bolders

Night visitor

Bakers Beach, Narrawntapu NP 1st - 4th Februaury

Denis's back yard (low tide)

What a little paradise we found at our friend Denis's home at Baker Beach!  We worked with Denis on Lizard Island and had planned to catch-up on this trip.  We can understand why you left Lizard Denis!

We enjoyed a few too many bottles of wine together and some great food.  The Ocean Tuna was the best,  thanks so much Denis!  We ate fresh veges from the gardens and hot house and canoed up the Rubicon estuary on high tide into Port Sorrell, with no-one else in sight, how peaceful.

Denis's from the canoe

Bakers Beach is right on the doorstep of beautiful Narawntapu NP.  Long beaches, dunes, lagoons, small islands and the park’s many inlets and low mountain ranges are the features of this unspoilt area.  Birds are abundant as well as mammals. We had a perfect weather for exploring the park and with a packed lunch made a day of it.

View of Bakers Beach from Narawntapu

We walked to Archers Knob via the Springlawn Nature Walk then onto Badger Head and onto Copper Cove for a swim and lunch.  The views were spectacular (I know I use this word a lot but Wow this place is beautiful) we had an absolutely fabulous day.

Check out the pics below taken in the park and at Denis's.  My favourite is the pic of the black cockatoos taken after sunset on our last night at Bakers Beach (Click on the photo to enlarge).

Black Cockatoos at Denis's

Jetty at low tide

Sunset

A few songs -a few too many wines

Narawntapu Nature Walk

Narawntapu Lagoon

Archers Knob Walk

Archers Knob Walk

Coastal Forest

Abundant wildflowers

Views over Lagoons and Port Sorrell from Archers Knob

Dragon Fly mirrored in lagoon

Narawntapu Sand Dunes

Liffey Falls 30th - 31st January

Arrived at beautiful Liffey Falls and walked the track to the lower falls - the water is crystal clear and the sandstone bottom provides fantastic mirror images and views of the life below.  The Liffey River rises on the northern edge of the Great Western Tiers, flowing through dense cool-temperate rainforest of myrtle, sassafras and leatherwood before plunging over these spectacular waterfalls.  We found a beautiful spot at the campground on the banks of the river and were welcomed by fellow campers on our arrival.

Rob & Strattie weaving

What a special feeling it is when you walk into a place & immediately feel like you're with old friends!  Lyndon, Pete, Rob and Strattie certainly made us feel like that and we enjoyed the short time we had with you all.  The patient Rob gave out spinning lessons to Lyndon and Pete while Strattie weaved her magic beside the crystal clear waters.  There were some tales told well into the night from stories of travel to romantic love stories and activism. A great night  - thanks for sharing with us!

I loved this place and it seemed even better to explore the area in the rain the next day.  Recent flooding had caused some damage to the paths - the height of which was quite astounding.  Below are some of my favourite pics taken here, just click on them to enlarge.

Clear sandstone bottom

Our camp spot

Falls walk

Manfern

Forest walk

Pete gets a spinning lesson

Mole Creek, Tullampanga, Chudleigh, Deloraine 30th January

A Day At  The Creek

Mosied on down to Mole Creek in time for the Day at the Creek music festival. People had turned out in force for the annual event the bands were fun - we particularly like Boil Up a 9 piece reggae, funk, soul band - great music fantastic harmonies.  People danced non-stop and we found the evening to be very laid back so we joined the dancing throng and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

Ants Head Wrestling?

We found a spot to camp down the road and found ourselves fascinated by a couple of ants one being pulled along by the head  Funny what you do when there is no TV eh?

Tullampanga

Next morning we decided to explore the Tullampanga (Allum Cliffs) area just on the outskirts of Mole Creek.  Tullampanga  a sacred celebration place for a number of Aboriginal Tribes  because of the highly prized ochre found there.

 

Native Cherry Nut

Tulampanga is part of the Gog Range, with the beautiful Mersey river flowing through this dramatic gorge.  The native cherry trees were fruiting so we enjoyed picking and eating some.  The fruit is really only the hard nut on the end of a fleshy receptacle which gets more succulent and redder as the fruit ripens. The fruit tastes a bit like a cashew nut. We also enjoyed the red fleshy bits.

Chudleigh Community Garden

We arrived at Chudleigh mid morning. You get a sense of the community pride of Chudleigh residents from the immaculate rose gardens which extend along the full length of the town.  It was definitely worth a stop and a visit to the Honey farm where you can enjoy free tastings, watch the bees make honey and raise their young through a glass hive and learn about the traditional

The Honey Farm

ways of honey collection around the world - very interesting and we devoured our delicious gourmet honey ice cream. The Honey Farm is run by a local family, they make their own ice cream and the best nougat I've ever had.

Chudleigh Who's Patricia Woods?

Meander River Deloraine

Not sure what this pic is about but I'm sure glad my name is not Mrs Patricia Woods (see plaque on restored home left. Click on photo to enlarge).  Can anyone tell us more about this?  The mind boggles! 

Back on the road to Deloraine where Rob scored a great pair of jeans for $1. We were intending to stay here but after a few hours looking about we decided to move on.

Below are some other pics taken today we love - very pretty scenery - Just click on the photo to enlarge.... 

Making string from Stringy Bark

Busy Flying Ants - Tullampanga

Wild Pansies - Chudleigh

Tullampanga

Apple Blossom Roses - Chudleigh

Rob - Deloraine

Rugspin Rose with bee - Chudleigh

Free standing stone fence - Chudleigh