Sunday 18 January 2015

Zeehan, Strahan, Queenstown, New Norfolk

So pleased I decided to go to the Museum at Zeehan. I don't usually bother but this had a great display of rocks, crystals, mining info etc. Makes you realise just how amazing Mother Nature really is when you see her works displayed so well. 

Out the back of the museum a board walk takes you to the Masonic Lodge. the door is OPEN and all is on display. Very interesting. Next to that is the old police station then on to the Gaiety Theatre and art gallery. An excellent film about the region, mining and tourism runs in the theatre. Well worth watching. What a great way to link the historical buildings in the town and kudos to the people who thought about it.
Good road through to Strahan. Stopped at the golf club. $10 p/n to stay there. Had a look around this lovely old port town but it is quite touristy. It seems that every second cottage is now rented for holidays, and there are several cafes, boat/helicopter/plane tours from the waterfront. 
Went out to Ocean Beach - so glad I didn't take the caravan as the end of the road is quite small and really only suited to campervans. Found the very old cemetery on top of a hill, then up to the water tower lookout. There is only one grocery shop and  one fuel place (a bit hard to get in to) so stocked up.

On to Queenstown. Nice drive although still hills everywhere. Found the Gravel Oval  - they play on this grit - but decided to go on to Lake Burbury. Climbed up the 99 curves through the desolate landscape. They have worked out how to get vegetation to grow again it seems. Photo does not show how steep and windy it is but got there just fine.
Missed the turn to the Lake Burbury camp so on to the council camp ground. $5 p/n but no caretaker so checked it out and decided not to stay either.  Met a couple there who had been in to another camp – Thureau so went the 6km back to there. Had lunch but decided not to stay. Sloping ground and small area.
 More mountains, and area of bad fire. Must have been fast through the manuka. No leaves but the wood still standing. Collingwood camp – who knows what is there. I think the road has been closed on one side. A short tight bit of road in to there so didnt investigate. 

 On to Derwent Bridge. Missed the sharp turn to the boat ramp so turned at the lodge and back in  via another rather overgrown track. Was feeling really grumpy by now as I have scratched the van a bit  but did find the little  camping area. Went for a walk and decided there was no where else. May have to go back the way I came in as the turn to the highway is very sharp. Spent 2 peaceful days beside the river. 3 lots with kids the second night but they were fine. Plenty to entertain them along the banks. Fish jumping!
To Bradys Lake. Missed ‘the wall’ just out of Derwent Bridge. Much easier drive now – out into farmland. Checked out B
ronte village. Pretty rundown chalets etc but used the loo there. Info bloke at the store didn’t seem overly friendly. Rough road – sealed to the store then dirt.
Spent 2 cloudy, damp and cool days at Bradys lake. Found a nice waterside spot. A few others here.  Hobart has had its heaviest rain in years last night and more forecast all over Tasmania so will stay here again.  No radio or internetL Read so much my eyelids are ‘ticking’
Another grey day so off to Tarraleah. Long winding road down through very tall trees to the hydro station at Nive river rest area. Water piped from canals high above on both sides. Tarraleah is a little old hydro town set high above the gorge with tavern, Caravan Park, lodge – aiming for the wedding market I am told. On to Wayatinah Caravan Park. Another little hydro town. Still no internet so paid $2 for their access. Only $15 p/n for me and busy. Lots of bookings I gather. Had unlimited internet for a while so a bit of a catch-up. Rained again!
 Drove through Ouse to Bethune camp. Mob of dairy cows on the road so a bit splattered! Drove over the causeway and turned sharp at the top of the rise through a tight gateway. Bit sloped but found a spot and unhooked. Into Hamilton to empty loo and swap gas bottle. Only a pub/cafĂ© there. Good coffee, curry scallop pie. Curry overpowered the scallop so a bit of a disappointment.  Small free camp but great park and facilities above it. Paddock opp the pub is terraced for self contained units I gather. Back to Ouse for fuel and groceries. More wind and rain but at least I have TV and internet – and radio!  
I had hoped to go sight seeing but another blustery squally day so read, TV etc. yuk! Got up in the middle of the night and put the feet down - was worried that I would get blown off my blocks. Time for a CP I think so now at New Norfolk for a couple of days civilisation. Must be a big place - have seen 2 car yards already.
Will be around Hobart for a week or so - have to get the clutch done on the ute. Fortunately there is a lovely Grey nomad friend down here who has been a 'life saver' for me with recommendations etc.

Sunday 4 January 2015

To Lake McIntosh



Spent a night at at Gowrie. Heavy rain during the night. Lots camped there. Decided not to unhook the van and do the day trip to Cradle Mountain from the Gowrie camp - and very pleased I made that decision. I would have had to take that VERY windy road three times if I had done the 45 min (?) trip!!!!! The road winds way down to the River Firth then all the way back up. 1st & 2nd gear most of the way towing the van. Will do Cradle Mountain another time. 
Stopped at Black Bluff overlooking Lake Lea.  A large conservation area of native grasses. The vegetation certainly has an alpine feel about it - and the wind was cold! Cradle Mountain in the distance.

There was a farm of sorts along the plateau. Lots of trees have been cut and there was some fencing. Interesting that they use more wires here  and the new fences have steel battens - like NZ to keep sheep under control?
Came across an area of some sort of conifer with brilliant orange/red new growth.

About 7km of gravel roads ready for sealing once I turned onto the Murchison Highway. I was expecting truck rest areas - or ANY rest areas but nothing so far. But then the distances are not great between towns - just takes a long time to get there! I have to remember that 2 inches on the map may only be 50 km rather than the 250 km in WA. The roads do not have wide verges either so no where to pull over easily. All a new learning curve for me.
Out to Lake Mackintosh for a few days. Very pretty hydro dam. Had to drive across a narrow dam wall then down over a spillway. The lake is very full and if it spills we will be stuck here. A local tells me they will come and warn us to move if that is likely to happen. There is an island which is accessible for camping when the lake is lower.
I have been warned about Jumping ants and tiger snakes, and the mossies found me fast! BUT - it is quiet and pretty. Not sure if I will be brave enough to go swimming as some of the campers here are doing! Water is quite cool!
Shifted after talking to some locals. Around the corner at the end of the road beside another dam wall. On sealed area - dry and clean and totally silent at night. Seemed a shame to be at a lake with no view so this is heaven.Spent 3 peaceful days there. Went to Rosebery for fuel and checked out Lake Murchison. Saw a snake on a gravel road there. No where to camp though.
Next stop was Reece Dam. When a local tells you the road out to there is all FLAT for the large trucks taking gear out to build the dam he means NO CAMBER as opposed to no hills! Still - a very nice drive and not as steep as the road to Rosebery. Talking to some campers when I arrived  who suggested I didnt come any further as there were 2 Tiger snakes in the ditch between us! Back pedaled fast. 4 others lots came and camped with their swags late in the evening - a hot night until the thunderstorm hit about 5.30am! I headed of in the morning to Zeehan - a CP felt like a good place to be as this rain is widespread. A good chance to do the washing.






Saturday 3 January 2015

Tasmania 2015


Spent New Years Eve asleep on the Spirit of Tasmania. Braved the bridge in to Melbourne, found the off ramp and managed to park near the ferry. Very pleasant trip across. Upgraded from the ocean recliner to a twin share bedroom so got to have some sleep inspite of a restless chatty lady. The trip was so smooth other than a bit of rolling through the heads.


Off the boat by 6 am. Two cafes open to catch the early traffic - good business sense also as we couldn't get in to the CP until 8.30 am. Took a while for the food to arrive and the girl had no idea what a short black coffee was - so I did explain it to her - after drinking the long black.


 To Latrobe CP - unhooked and slept for 2 hours. Was raining most of the morning but cleared up so I went to Devonport to get groceries. Woolworths open but they don't take the rewards card! Strange. Everything else looks the same in the shop.


The next day I drove via Barrington to see a young friend who had offered me a spot to camp on her property. Unfortunately I was not confident about being able to get the caravan turned around, and the roads in to there are very narrow and winding, but had a lovely few hours chatting about where to go and what is worth taking time to see. Apparently all the fields of opium poppies I have seen are grown for medicinal purposes - only in Tas!
I dropped down to see Devils Gap then to the International rowing course at Lake Barrington. A long deep and dark lake with magnificent trees all around it. Another very windy road down to the rowing - probably wouldnt take a caravan down there, and no camping anyway. A very popular pancake cafe at the top - even the paddock opposite was open for people to park.
Mt Roland is quite spectacular - dominates the landscape. I am loving the trees and gardens - conifers, Rhodos, lawns, Golden Elms - all the things you dont see on the mainland!
Railton is a fascinating little place full of topiary figures. Very clever! Great bakery too. There is a free camp for self contained vehicles, and a dump.
Sheffield is another pretty place with lots of murals on the shops. Can camp at the show grounds but no trees. It also has a dump.

 First camp is at Gowrie - tucked under Mt Roland. Total fire ban today and severe warnings. Quite a few here - the first time I have come across a 'gaggle' - or maybe 'jabber' of single women - all 6 with motor homes and little dogs. Ugh! We have to park on a concrete slab - a shame as the grass looks so inviting. Will unhook and go to Cradle Mountain tomorrow.
So many older cars down here -  like NZ in many ways. Really looking forward to finding a lake camp where I can base myself for a few days. I think this will be a journey of very short trips. Takes a lot of concentration to tow on these roads, although the traffic is OK so far. Haven't come across any big trucks yet.
Called in to the Anvers Chocolate factory - very expensive but delicious - got a bag of seconds - creamy white strawberry flavour covered in dark choc. Also fresh cherries from a pack house!
Passed a few pine plantations  - very tall trees but no pruning or thinning - what a waste.  Maybe not grown for timber but....