Waddamana Power Station Tasmania

We took the kids on the platypus walk in Hamilton and then a play at the playground before heading off on today’s adventures.

Just out of town we filled up on possibly Tassie’s cheapest fuel at $1.959

We then ventured into Bothwell which we had visited before. The town with its own plaid and first golf course in Australia. It is also the place that one of Mark’s ancestors, William De Little (eldest brother of Robert -architect in Launceston and Arthur- great grand father), died. He was the town’s surgeon and met his untimely death falling off his horse and drowning in the Clyde River after seeing to one of his patients. Unfortunately we could not find his headstone from 1838. 

After a walk around we continued up the road to the Highlands Power Trail to Waddamana. The  power station was built in 1922 in a remote valley. As we drove along there were information panels. 

All the supplies were brought in on a horse drawn wooden tramway from Bothwell. 

Many farms developed along the route to feed all the workers.

The village at the power station encountered tough conditions and isolation. 

The hydro power station is now no longer in use but the original machinery can be viewed for free along with some wonderful historic information. 

Just up the road we stopped at Breakfast Bay, one of the free camps at Penstock Lagoon.

Hamilton Tasmania

After a spot of fishing on the lake this morning we set off towards Hamilton.

It was another beautiful drive through varied landscapes. We stopped at the geological centre of Tasmania.

We stopped in Tarraleah at the picnic area on the banks of the Nice River and the hydro power station.

We then managed to get a spot in Hamilton ($10pn) and relaxed and tried to stay cool on another hot day. By the end of the day there was no room to move! 

Very clean facilities 

The cafe

Kids did some hunting and gathering of the flora…

Mr Whippy… or Scoopa Doo here for ice-creams … gotta love that tune.

Luckily we booked to have dinner at the pub as we were there as the thunderstorm passed overhead.

 Our luck lasted as we walked back to camp before then the rain came again. It was welcome relief.

77km today 

Brontë Lagoon

The views over Lake Burbury this morning were beautiful with the fog hanging low over the water obscuring the surrounding mountains. 

Today we drove through the Franklin-Gordon National Park and stopped to have a look at few places,

Our first stop was the lovely forest walk to Nelson Falls.

We then did the short walk along Frenchman’s Cap track to the suspension bridge over the Franklin River.

We stopped in the carpark at Derwent Bridge and had lunch (it was after 2pm and the pub was closed). We weren’t interested in staying here so we continued on.

We decided to go to Brontë Lagoon for the night. We could see the smoke from the bushfires. Luckily they  were far enough away to not bother us.

Spotted another snake when we went for a walk towards the fishing shacks

Big pipeline here too… part of the hydro scheme.

We got a great spot again. But the water wasn’t too inviting.

It was a nice night for a camp fire …