Tasmania Part-5
Trip Start
Mar 16, 2009
1
Trip End
Mar 23, 2009
Strahan, Australia
Monday, March 23, 2009
We finally made it to the West Coast of Tassie and our first stop was a town called Hamilton. We used Hamilton for a launching pad to see the surrounding sites as it was pretty central. We quickly set up the van so we could take a drive to the historic town of Oatlands. The town is full of sandstone buildings dating back to 1821 and is regarded as one of the finest examples of an historic village in Australia. The town also has one of the only flour mills in Tassie similar to those in Holland and was built in 1837. These days it has a very good quality op shop attached to it, much to Cherie's delight.
Hamilton was a great place to stay, but not much happening, except when we arrived as the next day the town shut down for a complete overhaul of it's electrical supply. We were unaware of this until Cherie had put a load of washing on. Now this wasn't any ordinary washing machine! This was a brand new front loader!!! You know what they are like with the door locking your washing in. So guess what, the door would not open. Thank goodness Dave managed to prise open the door with a jimmy bar, just kidding! We got the washing out just in time before the power went off, but missed being able to put it through the dryer. This is not the first time we have carried a basket of wet washing around with us all day.
From Hamilton we also took a drive to Strathgordon to view the Gordon Dam and to visit Mt Field National Park. On the way to Strathgordon you couldn't help but notice the protesters along the way with their banners across the road and the blockage of logger tracks. The Gordon Dam and the scenery is worth the long drive, it's simply stunning. The dam holds the most water in Oz and was built in 1974 and to give you a idea of it's size, there was 154,000 cubic meters of concrete used in the wall. After the Dam we stopped off at Mt Field National Park and took a walk to the Russell Falls. Out of all the waterfalls we have seen this would rate so far as the prettiest waterfall we have seen and a must see for anybody.
Our next destination was Strahan and on the way we stopped off to see Lake Sinclair. Claire was loaded in the backpack and we did a few short walks around this pretty lake to try and tire the kid's out but 2 hours isn't enough, they were still playing up. Lake Sinclair is the deepest fresh water lake in Australia at around 167m deep.
We arrived in Strahan for a well deserved break after quite a bit of running around, and this was the little seaside village to do it. We booked ourselves on the six hour long Gordon River Heritage Cruise which takes you up the Gordon River into a World Heritage listed area. Dave took the first cruise by himself and Cherie took the cruise by herself the next day to give us both a break from the children, and it was incredible. We also visited the Hogarth Falls and sampled some of the local seafood. Strahan is a place that is full of Huon Pine history and carries its smell. It is one of the only places you can still see it being cut with a vertical reciprocating saw.
Our last stop for the West Coast was Waratah, this was an overnight stay while visiting Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain is well known for it's photographed pictures of the Little Boat Shed beside Dove Lake. This was the day where we were determined to wear the kid's out. Guess what! Claire was as quiet as a mouse and slept most the way on daddy's back while Jacob was heard for miles around the lake as this boy continued to talk the entire 7 km journey around the lake. If you ever have the chance to visit Dove Lake, you must do the full circuit as the walk is surperb.
That folk's is another wrap from a tired wrapper.
Next stop Stanley, Bye for now.
Comments
Sounds like fun!
Hi guys,
Am very jealous of your travels. I love Tassie, it is so beautiful and calm :)
We have been busy ;)
I resigned from work last week! Will try and give you a call for a chat some time soon.
Lots of love
Felic xxx
Hello Guys
What fantastic photos you've taken! They're picture postcard ones. Good work to the photographer of these latest shots!!!!!! Can't believe I missed being the first to make a comment this time...ggrrrr! :} You must be almost ready to head back to the mainland? Safe travels and keep up the wonderful blogs!
Love The Skinners