Derwent Bridge - 11/04/2024

Derwent Bridge (population 40) is a small local community in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.

We chose to park at a self contained free camp at the local pub - Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel which is right by the Lyell highway.

 

Derwent Bridge is the home of "The Wall" - a 100m sculpture piece by artist Greg Duncan.  No cameras are allowed inside.  This is simply brilliant.  Entry fee is $20. 

The gallery consists of a double sided 50m wall of wood carvings of exquisite detail and is a must do if you are ever in the central highlands of Tassie.  (https://thewalltasmania.com.au/)

Derwent Bridge is a convenient home base to explore Lake St Clair about 6km away from town (I use the term 'town' loosely.  After The Wall, we enjoyed a very nice burger for lunch at the 'Hungry Wombat' headed out after leaving The Wall to Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.  We spent a couple of hours at the lake taking our time to do one of the shorter walks along the western coast of the lake.

Pink Mountain Berry

The junction of the Cuvier and Hugel Rivers

Next morning before we left the area, we took another drive out to the lake at sunrise.  The weather came in heavily overcast along with a misty drizzle.  

Lake St Clair

Lake St Clair

A little fresh sunlight finally broke through.  This is Pumphouse Point which is an accommodation venue.

 We departed Derwent Bridge to head west along the Lyell Highway.  Next stop - Queenstown.

 

 

Gordon River Road - 10/04/2024

While at Mt Field National Park, we also did the extra walk to Horseshoe Falls which is upstream from Russell Falls on the same water course.   The walk is a little more taxing but not too bad - just lots of stairs.  The stairs however, are manufactured and consistent and most are with handrails.  So worth the extra distance onward from Russell Falls.

Horseshoe Falls, Mt Field National Park

Later that day, took a trip along the Gordon River Road - destination, Gordon River Dam.

What a beautiful drive!  Although we had rainy weather descending on us along the way, it added to the beauty and mystery of the place.  The drive takes you through rainforest lined tunnel vegetation and out to mountainous surroundings - simply spectacular.  The trip took us considerably longer than most as we were stopping so often along the way.

 

Mount Mueller

Bitumen Bones

 

"Bitumen Bones" by Alex Miles - inspired by the poem "Wombat" by Sarah Day

The drive took up past the shores of Lake Pedder.

Lake Pedder - the weather continued to deteriorate

By the time we arrived at the Gordon River Dam, we were dodging blowy light rain and ducking for cover while grabbing shots. 

Gordon River Dam - part of the Tassie Hydro scheme

Really enjoyed the overall dive and experience.

Russell Falls - 10/04/2024

Our next stopover is Mount Field National Park - the home of Russell Falls.

We camped up at The National Park Hotel which is an area out the back of the pub and only a short drive from the points on interest within the National Park.

The area out the back of the National Park pub

 

Now, way back in the early 80's, I did an oil painting of Russell Falls I took from a photo in a book of Australian landscapes I was given as a birthday present.  When we first planned to travel to Tasmania, of the first items on the bucket list was to visit Russell Falls.

Oil on Canvas (1981)

Russell Falls, Mt Field National Park

 

Huon Valley/Bruny Island - 08-09/04/2024

We chose Huonville in the Huon Valley as a base to explore the area south of Hobart.  

Huon Valley Caravan Park

 

We are on a condensed timeline from here on in as we have pulled our return sail date on Spirit of Tasmania forward by a month.  Whilst in Hobart, I checked into the ED at Hobart Private Hospital.  Still experiencing random symptoms apparently related to the surgery in Geelong, they poked, prodded and scanned me for hours.  The MRI scan revealed an unrelated 'incidental finding' which concerns me, so we've decided to shorten our adventure.  Trying to deal with this stuff is too difficult while you're a moving target.

 

Fortunately, we will still get to explore this beautiful state for another couple of weeks before we have to be in Devonport to board the boat.

First stop in the Huon Valley was to call in for a lunch at 'Willie Smith's Apple Shed'.  The hot apple pie is to die for.  There is also a small 'Apple Museum' at the end of the restaurant worth a browse.

We shared a plate of Apple Pie and Ice Cream - sensational!

Anglican Church at Huonville

On day two, we caught the ferry across to Bruny Island for the day.  Got to travel most of the island - top to bottom.  The island was a good bit larger and somewhat drier than we expected.  

Of course, we checked out the bread fridge and bought a couple of sourdough loaves.  An enjoyable day all round.

Below are a collection of images from our day on Bruny...

The Sealink ferry trip to Bruny is about a 15 minute journey ($50.00 vehicle and 2 passengers)

 

Adventure Bay Beach

Bruny Bakery - 'The Bread Fridge'

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Neck Beach

Neck Beach

 

Cosy Corner

Rock formation at Cosy Corner

Rock formation at Cosy Corner

Two Tree Point - Capt Cook pulled into the bay here.  These two trees are documented to have been standing in 1777.

Makes the postie's job a lot easier!