Thursday, February 24, 2011

Launceston Area

It may surprise some folks, like it did us, that this view is about 5 minutes from central Launceston. It's the suspension bridge at Cataract Gorge, the rugged scenery surrounding the bridge is the gorge itself...
Lee & Joey on the chairlift @ Cataract Gorge...
Upstream Cataract Gorge...
 Tom, Joey, & Sam on the suspension bridge...
A pan shot of the Cataract Gorge area. It was created by early settlers to Launceston for their 'recreation'...
Another feature of Launceston is City Park, again right in the city heart...
A couple of residents at City Park are these Japanese Monkeys. Looks like a helping hand from his/her mate...
In the middle of City Park there is a lovely building that houses all sorts of flowers. Lee has a sample here...
Outside chess challange between the 'Old Bull' and the 'Young Bull' (Joey). Nice place to relax...
This fine example of Ivy growing up the house walls, was taken near Railton. Railton has a neat collection of topiaries comprising all sorts of animals. We passed through on our way to Devonport to catch the ferry back to 'Australia' - our Tassie experience was drawing to a close - this time around anyway...

West Tamar Area

A sample of the beautiful scenery between St Helens and Scottsdale on the north-east of Tasmania...
 After arriving at Launceston and setting up we headed along the West Tamar Hwy. This shot of Joey is at a lookout named after a murderer - Brady's Lookout....bit unusual? I think so too...
A pan shot of Brady's Lookout shows the Tamar River snaking it's way along....
This mine site at Beaconsfield was in the National news a few years ago when a collapse trapped two miners.
The monument set up to acknowledge the many Australians who helped during the rescue of the two miners at Beaconsfield - Todd Russell and Brant Webb - and honour the memory of Larry Knight who lost his life in the same incident in 2006...
A little further along the road brings visitors to Platypus House where this fellow was photographed...
Also at Platypus House are these Echidna's - unusual looking creatures to be sure...monotremes is their scientific name...
During our walk to the summit of the lookout at Greens Beach Sam decided to 'Abijer' the rest of us when he disapproved of something that was said...cheeky little fellow!!
Sam & Joey at Greens Beach...
Lee, Sam & Joey @ Greens Beach Lookout - see Bass Strait

Friday, February 18, 2011

Bay of Fires & Eddystone Lighthouse (Mt William NP)

At the southern end of the Bay of Fires is Cosy Corner where camping is allowed, a very pretty place - even on an overcast day!
Pan shot of Cosy Corner
Lee managed to catch one of the locals in full flight...
We had lunch at Policemans Point a bit further north - another nice spot...
Three of my favourites!!
Sam enjoying a bit of playtime at Policemans Point...and dad too!
The rocky boat ramp at Eddystone Point...
This pan shot shows the rock type and colours that give the Bay of Fires its name. All along this coast they can be seen...
Eddystone lighthouse and flowers in the foreground...quite an isolated area...

This view is typical of the coastline around Eddystone Point...



Joey at the base of Eddystone Lighthouse

St Columba Falls (Near St Helens Tasmania)

We tripped out from St Helen's to the highest waterfall in Tasmania at 90 metres high - St Columba Falls. Here is the unusual entrance to the walk...
Lee's 'slowed shutter' photography of the stream along the walk that visitors see before arriving at the Falls...
 St Columba Falls...very nice.
On the way back to St Helens we stopped by an unusual tourist attraction - Priscilla the beer drinking pig!! Some Princess!!
Unfortunately, we were stuck in a Tasmanian traffic jam for five whole minutes!!

Bicheno Area

On the Central East Coast of Tasmania is Bicheno. It's a quiet place with a scenic surrounding area. This shot is back towards town from the point...
Just south of Bicheno is the blowhole that wasn't working the day we arrived because of the lack of swell. The rugged rocky shoreline is set in a backdrop of forested hills. The cloudy day added to the 'hemmed in' feel...
One of the highlights for the boys is making new friends at the meeting place for travelling kids - the playground. Here's Sam with Alyssa at Bicheno Caravan Park...
Just north of Bicheno is Douglas-Apsley National Park. There is a couple of day trek that the really fit and keen tackle. We stuck with the 20 minute return walk to the lookout!
Skimming Sam at the Apsley Waterhole practicing...

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Geeveston & Mt Hartz NP

South of Hobart bring visitors into Houn Pine country. Geeveston has a history in timber even today. There are huge pillars that greet visitors entering from the north as the picture shows. You can see the size of them compared to the power poles!!
One of the more impressive buildings in Geeveston is the bakery. Constructed of solid timber inside as well as the exterior. The figures pictured have been carved using a chain saw!!
Sam gets a little closer to the statues. Kiss the statues for good luck says the sign - sounds like 'blarney' to me!!!
Sam & Joey say hi to Dr Oswald...
The timber history and visitors centre has a replica timber truck on display. Lots of work in its construction...
Heading towards Hartz National Park we came across an old steam engine and 'log puller'. Designed to haul out the huge trees after being felled. Ingenious design for the day it was built!!
The Hartz Mtn NP is an Alpine area covered in snow in winter. At the peak of the Arve Falls walk we saw the Falls. Quite nice but not in the same category as Russell Falls!!
A pan of the Hartz Mountain area...

Russell & Horseshoe Falls And Gordon River Dam

On our way to Russell Falls in Mt Field NP. Lush temperate rainforest and the occasional Sam to make things interesting...
Here's the big Joey at the worm grotto. Apparently they glow in the dark and it's unusual because they aren't in a cave??
Some of the massive trees that were cut down for houses during the gold rush years in Victoria came from this area. The biggest are the Swamp Gum that can grow to 120 metres!!
It's hard to get how big these whoppers are...didn't even get the top of the tree in this shot...
One of Lee's favourite shots.., this is Russell Falls...very nice.
Another angle of Russell Falls...
The durnies @ Russell Falls
A 'vertical pan' of Russell Falls into the stream below...
A bit further in and you find a smaller fall - Horseshoe Falls
Sam and the Dragonfly....who is really watching who?
Lake Pedder on the way into Gordon River Dam...
Some information about the Gordon River Dam...
This is the Dam wall. It is a curved structure both horizontally and vertically which engineers designed to give it extra strength. The dam wall is the highest in Australia.
A section of the stairwell that is alongside the dam wall. Workers can go all the way to the bottom - good for the leg muscles...
This shot shows the large crevice on the back side of the dam wall - it is massive when you look straight down into it!!
A pan view of the wall edge and resulting lake...
The hydro-electric scheme details...note the depth of the system in comparison to the Hobart casino building to the left!!