An Australian couple travelling in Europe in a motorhome (Bluey), exploring Australia in a caravan and a self built Isuzu expedition 4 x 4 motorhome (Buster).
Today we explored more of the hinterland forest. We began with a beautiful 15mins stroll through picturesque rainforest to the base of St Columba Falls, at 90m, it is one of Tasmania’s highest falls.
We got directions from a ranger to Evercreech Forest Reserve via the forestry tracks which were mostly in good nick.
An hour later we had pulled up at the reserve.
We did the 1km circuit of the “White Knights’, the white gums giants left to grow after the logging in the late 1800’s.
We then did the 40min loop walk to Evercreech Falls. Another ancient rainforest with huge tree ferns, plenty of different fungi and a very unhappy snake.
The falls were pretty as it cascaded down a mossy rocks.
After having to cross the river we walked back to Buster through more open dry forest.
We then returned to the bitumen and 30km later we were parked up for the night in Fingal at the RV stop next to the old saw dust burner.
In 1827 the settlement here grew around a convict station.There are still a few building from their era including Convict Cells (isolation cells) and a Probation Station (hold up to 300 convicts doing cheap labour).Later the township became more populated when gold was discovered 10km away. This is reflected in some substantial buildings being built.
Today we made up for yesterdays day of repos… we travelled 150km, shopped and dumped at St.Helens and did 4 walks in the Blue Tier forest.
Leaving Cosy Corner at 8am we ventured to the end of the road to The Gardens lookout, named after the masses of wildflowers in the area. Although it’s a lovely spot we thought the views around Cosy Corner were better.
We did see Koala rock! Interesting fact is that Tasmania have no koalas in the wild.
It’s also the start of the Whale Trail.. but with our luck we won’t see any.haha
We then doubled back and continued on to St Helens. It is the largest town on the east coast and was perfect for shopping at the IGA, dumping and filling Buster and getting fuel. We then headed inland to the Blue Tier forest drive. We began our exploration with a 2.4km/1 hour pleasant walk to Halls Falls. The weir here was built by tin miners and used also by a portable sawmill.
Saw heaps of these pretty beetles along the track.
Further along the road we had a look at the remains of the Anchor tin mine stampers. It was a short 900m/ 20min stroll through some diverse forest.
A little further along the road we turned off to Blue Tier conservation area. We were surprised to be the only ones here. There were many walks to choose from but we decided on the quaint short walk (15min) but picturesque Goblin trail. The moss, ferns, white coral lichen along the board walk and little stream made it feel like a fairy tale.
Feeling adventurous we decided to explore a little further and walked 1.5km/40mins return, up to Mount Poimena (816m alt.) which offered great views.
Views of bay.
As this is the end of the road we drove back down to the intersection and continued on Lottah Rd towards the A3. 3km from the end we followed the pointer sign to the Blue Tier Giant Tree carpark. We were a little surprised at how overgrown and narrow the track was but having nowhere to turn around we continued on eventually reaching the carpark without encountering anyone coming the other way…phew.
As it was getting late we decided to only walk to the big tree and back(2.3km return not the full 3.2km circuit). Although the tree was impressive, we were amazed at the huge tree ferns and the walk was so beautiful under these gorgeous ferns.
We managed to get out without issue and drove down to Pyengana Recreation Grounds for tonight. Close by is the Pub in the Paddock and Priscilla the pig.
