Tamar Valley

 

Today we explored the Tamar Valley from Launceston via a circuit that runs up & down the river Tamar.

Beaconsfield Mine Museum

We started the day with a visit to the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre. We had estimated that we would be there around 1-1/2 hrs and then we'd move on. How wrong we were. There was so much to see & do that it took more than double that.

There was a museum area with a stack of antique machinery, including relics from mining operations spanning from the late 1800s up until when the mine was closed in 2012.

The model of the old mine shaft was very interesting. It had moving parts demonstrating how the elevators work.

The was also a memorial/information area for the trapped miners, who were rescued from a mine collapse in 2006. It was quiet dark so we don't have any photos of it. The hand knitted scarfs above were part of a support program for those who were impacted by the collapse.

Outside we checked out the top of the century plus old mine shaft. along with more old machinery.

All smiles for some more modern mining equipment.

The modern elevator shaft is set up within a stone's through of the old mine building where the new winch is located.

By the time we were done, it was lunchtime. We set off for Beauty Point where we hoped the local fish & chip shop had some decent fresh produce.

We were in luck! The fish & chips were awesome and also had a nice view despite the overcast conditions.

Also at Beauty Point was Seahorse World. Kerri sat it out but the rest of us went in for a look. Incredibly, they had lots of seahorses. They breed them for the aquarium industry which takes the pressure off the wild populations that have been decimated by over collecting.

There were also touch tanks where you can harass the animals.

Other animals included an octopus and a king crab called Barry.

The stars of the show were the weedy sea dragons.

We drove back the Launceston via the Batman bridge. It isn't that spectacular, but... it's Batman's bridge!

Lilydale Falls

After a long and windy drive across the range we finally stopped at Lilydale Falls, just outside Launceston. The trail start from under an abandoned railway bridge and follows the valley up past two pretty little waterfalls.

Lower Falls

Upper Falls

Then it was less than half an hour's drive from the falls to our accommodation in Launceston.

Saint Columbia Falls

St Columbia Falls was the first waterfall we'd seen on this trip. It is accessible via a short walk trail though lush forest down into the valley below. We were a bit disappointed with the lack of water, but it was the middle of summer and Tasmania is experiencing a drought, so it is to be expected.

The walk along the train was worth it for the grove of tree ferns that it meanders through.

 

Binalong Bay

 

We had been so very comfortable in our spacious house with spectacular views and resident wildlife. Reluctantly, we had to move on from Bicheno. Today we would transit to Launceston the long way round starting with Binalong Bay.

As we set off the rain started and became progressively heavier the further north we travelled. Fortunately it let up as we got closer to beautiful Binalong Bay.

Binalong Bay

Binalong Bay is part of the Bay of Fires which is charactorised by the red lichen that grows on the tidal rocks.
 

Binalong Bay also has a spectacular beach. The silky white sand squeaks under your feet. Harry was in his happy place digging holes & launching sand bombs. He and I even went for a body surf in the crystal clear (and cold) water.

Relectantly, we left this magical place as we still had a lot to see. We made a quick stop in Saint Helens for snacks and found a dragon! (below).

From Saint Helens, our route headed inland and into the forests and farm land. It soon bought us to the Pyengana Dairy Company where it was time for cheese tasting & milkshakes. The dairy had an automatic milking station where the cows come in when they feel like it. As a reward they are able to snack on their favourite food while they are being milked & get a scratch from a rotating brush on the way out.

Freycinet Peninsular

This morning we were woken up before day break by a passing dry lightning storm. It was one of many during the morning that had Harry very uneasy.

The family of Bennett's wallabies were still around close to the house in the early morning which gave us something to see while we were eating breakfast.

The early wake up meant that we were on the road early. Today was much less driving as we were back tracking south to the Freycinet Peninsular. We were away by 7.30 am which gave us the jump on the crowds despite the 40min head start having to travel down from Bicheno. The main aim of the day was to do the short but steep hike up to the Wineglass Bay lookout and maybe descend down to the beach in the bay.

It all started pretty well with the car park near empty and everyone enthusiastic about the climb. A short way into the ascent we were able to stop to look back over Coles bay and the mainland. The skies looked to be clearing so we pressed on with Harry leading the way.

Unfortunately, one of the many dry lightning storms blew across from the mainland and scared the life out of Harry. He managed to find a rock to hide under for a while.

We pressed on to the summit with lightning occasionally striking the peaks above us. Harry was terrified. Then the rain started forcing us to find shelter for 5 minutes until it had passed.

We took our obligatory shots from the lookout but didn't stay long because Harry wanted to go back to the car where he wouldn't be scared anymore. Sadly, the photos weren't exactly postcard worthy. Unfortunately it took the gloss off what should have been a highlight of the east coast.

Wineglass Bay.

 

We descended back down to the car park much to Harry's pleasure. Ironically, by the time we were back at the car, the weather had cleared. Oh well. We weren't about to hike back up to the lookout so we moved on to Cape Tourville.

Cape Tourville

 

There is a short loop track that circles the Lighthouse at Cape Tourville. The views from the track are stunning with a fraction of the effort of the Wineglass Bay climb. In fact, from the cape you can look back into Wineglass Bay and the peninsulas that encompass it (above). The cape cliffs dive into the ocean and seem to keep going into the abyss.

Cape Tourville was the first place that we saw the red growth on the rocks that are characteristic of the northern part of the east coast. We also saw a number of jagged rocky islands scattered near the cape.

Needless to say, Harry was far more impressed with Cape Tourville than Wineglass Bay & he wasn't the only one.

Friendly Beaches

 

We made one stop on the return to Bicheno at Friendly Beaches. We pottered around the rock pools and marveled at the extensive stretches of powdery white sandy beach.

 

Sea Hare

 

We had our lunch overlooking the beach and watched the sea fog engulf the peninsular. The beach suddenly didn't feel so friendly anymore, but it was an integuing phenomonen.

We were back in Bicheno by mid afternoon, where the fog had also claimed the ocean views. 

Aspley River Waterhole

We set off for the Aspley River Waterhole, a short, off-road drive from our house on the hill. It is a pristine clear water pool which was quite cold despite the summer temperatures. Harry was very brave and swam right across to the far side of the lake.

We were happily enjoying the cool water before a helicopter started buzzing overhead. As it tuened out, it was part of the fire fighting group and we had to leave because of a blaze in the neighbouring valley.

Superb Fairy Wrens.

Back at our base camp, Harry & I went around the gardens photographing the resident fairy wrens. They were busy flitting around chatting & catching bugs.

One of the males was especially proud of himself having caught himself a juicy march fly! The fairy wrens became our best friends from now on because the march flies had already made themselves very unpopular.

As dusk approached, the Bennett's wallabies started to reappear from the forest. They didn't seem too concerned by our presence.