Thursday April 18

Zeehan, Granville Harbour, Corinna, Reece Dam, Tullah, Lake Plimsoll and return to Zeehan

Interesting and varied drive and again just so much stunning scenery especially out at Granville Harbour and around Lake Plimsoll.  All roads good sealed surfaces however, the road out to Granville Harbour is gravel, narrow and bendy as is the road off the main road that goes out to the Pieman River crossing at Corinna.  If you want to take your car across the river it will cost $20.  I didn’t and decided to do the circuit via the Reece Dam Road, Tullah and Lake Plimsoll back to Zeehan.

  Granville Harbour

 Reece Dam which created Lake Pieman

 

Lake Plimsoll.  This is a stunning mountain scenery drive.

Friday April 19

 

After some low temperatures and a bit of frost it cleared to a bright clear sunny day.  Terrific drive out to Trial Harbour.  Glorious views down the west coast to as far as Cape Sorell at the entrance to Macquarie Harbour.  Stunning place.

 

View down the coast to Macquarie Heads

 

Trial Harbour



 My trusty steed basking in the west coast sun

 

In the afternoon I took advantage of the weather and drove out to Montezuma falls one of the highest waterfalls if not the highest waterfall in Tassie.  A lovely rainforest walk along another disused rail line which means it was easy going.

My experience with trains and old railway lines has bought home to me how critical railways were to settlement in the west.  In a place of rugged mountains it is amazing that railways were seen as a solution to getting minerals out and people and supplies in.

 

 

 

 

Saturday April 20

Another heavy frost so the annex was packed away wet but the makers tell me the fabric is resistant to mould.  On the road heading to the north west coast by about 10.30.  Dry, sunny but brisk day.  Called into Waratah on the way.  A lovely little mining town.

I headed for another recommended free camp at Riana Pioneer Camp Ground south of Burnie.  Very pleasant but all the powered sites were taken and the remaining sites were on a bit of a slope so went onto Wings Wild Life Park south of Ulverstone.  Anyway to cut a long story short I ended up at the Apex Caravan Park in Ulverstone.  Nice place and right on the beach.

Sunday April 21

After some further thought I decided to go through to Devonport and set up for 5 days whilst waiting for the ferry on the 26^th.  This also allows me to get some minor changes made to the annex as the makers are based here.  Before leaving Ulverstone I had a terrific breakfast at Lancaster House yum oh!

Arrived at the Abel Tasman Caravan Park at East Devonport, very close to the ferry terminal, mid-morning.  Met Chris and his partner from Queensland who are catching the ferry tonight and then heading to WA.  Chris told me about Wikicamps which is an app for iphones and android phones.  I have downloaded it ($2.99) and it looks as though it is going to be useful.  It is like Wikipedia in that users determine the content by adding comments, photos and info about camp sites, caravan parks and places of interest.  Afternoon in camp doing domestics.  Poured with rain for most of the night.

Monday April 22

Heavy showers for most of the day.  Went into town and spent the rest of day around camp.  Will be meeting Jim and Gayle for breakfast in the morning when they arrive on the ferry returning from Queensland.

Tuesday April 23

In and around Devonport.  Clear blue skies and warm sun out of the wind.  Took the front wall of the annex to the guy who made it for some alterations.  Very kindly, there was no charge and warm wishes for a safe journey.  Went for a bit of cruise out through the township of Forth and the major vegetable growing areas.

Discovered a free camping site that isn’t listed in the Camps 6 book.  It is on the banks of the Forth River in the grounds of the Forth recreation ground.  There are clean toilets and electric barbeques.  Very pleasant and only about 20ks from Devonport and about 12ks from Ulverstone.

 

Spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun and then for a brisk walk around the neighbourhood and along the Mersey River.

Wednesday April 24

You know when you are out driving and you see a directional sign pointing to somewhere you think it would be good to visit and you say to yourself that I must go there one day well, today I finally went to a place I have driven past the turn off to on several occasions.  That place!  Leven Canyon.  Located around 40ks inland from Devonport it is well worth the drive.

 

After leaving Devonport via Forth the undulating road takes you through some of the most productive vegetable farms in the country before heading into pine plantations and then rainforest before reaching the turnoff to the canyon car park.  There is also a pleasant picnic area here with toilets.

 

There are three walks that can be done separately or as a complete circuit of between 45mins and 1 hour(or longer) depending on your level of fitness.  The tracks are well made and one is a bit steep but undulating while another section includes 697 steps.  About 1.5ks further down the road from the car park there is also a steep walk down to the floor of the canyon about 20mins return.

I know, I know more rainforest and rivers but hey, I like 'em!

 

 Now, I know Tassie is a small place but you’ll never guess who I meet on the walk.  Remember Jennifer and Dennis from Lakes Entrance in Victoria who I had met in Zeehan?  They pulled into the car park just in front of me.  Small world.

Also met another couple who are from Warrnambool in Victoria.  They told me of their fishing triumphs on the banks of the Forth River at Turners Beach.  They caught 3 decent size black back salmon in the estuary.  One for you fisherpersons to remember if you are up this way.

Finished the day with a very pleasant walk along the walking/cycle path that runs from the ferry terminal past the caravan park I am staying at and along the coast to East Devonport.  6ks return.