Sun, 30th Nov, 2014 Hall Point, Sulphur Creek (Penguin district sightseeing)

The weather bureau said some rain was coming so woke to an overcast morning and a lot more wind. Glad we are protected by some trees where we are parked.

Went for a walk on the other beach. The rocks are covered in a green moss and there is a lot of smelly weed here and penguin burrows. Further along though the sand is clear of weed and looks lovely. Lots of people walking their dogs. Soft sand and strong wind made it a good walk. Grey clouds over the Strait and puffy ones over the hillside.

Went to the end where a chap was riding in on little waves. More people were turning up then we realised it was a surfing school. Turned around when we reached the rocks. Looking back at the camp area on Hall Point.

Not sure why the township is called Sulphur Creek – didn’t smell!! Lots of old houses but plenty of new unusual homes being built.

This one has used 3 different colours in the brick wall.

Our home sheltered from the wind.

Headed off for a drive. Stopped at the Sulphur Creek boat ramp where there is another geological site. Interesting, now I know what the standing up slate rocks were.

Headed to Penguin for a better look around. Parked on the esplanade and wandered down to Penguin Creek. There were little info plaques on the ground.

Looking onto the hill behind us, some have very interesting gardens.

Unusual tree.

The butcher was situated here by the sea. The timber yards next door.

We were parked beside the creek when we first arrived on Beecraft Point (got my info brochures now from the Information Centre – Mr E J Beecraft was the first settler to secure land here). There was a Wharf there which was constructed in 1872 but demolished in 1929. Certainly looks different now.

Wandered over the road to follow the creek around. Goes down to a park with lovely gardens and a bridge over the creek. They have made a pool area but a bit mossy now.

There is a fish ladder but didn’t see any fish using it!!

Love these trees. The one on the right looks like it has snow on it.

A couple of ducks enjoying the sun. Then a drake flew in and went for the other duck. She squawked and flew off screeching – then the white one follow (was he the Ugly Duckling as he didn’t look anything like the other two).

Fruit tree – haven’t worked out what they are yet.

Lots of lovely flowers. Some people have magnificent gardens.

What a contrast of buildings – lovely old Church and a modern warehouse looking house.

The creek meanders through Hiscutt Park. The brochure says the area was an environmental problem so the Council acquired the old railway years and some private land and constructed a weir which created the artificial lake in 1984. The Dutch windmill was built and presented to the community by the Dutch settlers of Penguin in 1988 as a gift in the Bicentennial Year.

Across the road is the railway line and railway station. The railway stopped transporting people about 20 years ago. The Penguin History Group meets there now and it looked like the rooms could be booked for meetings etc.

Beside it was the old Penguin Gaol that the Apex Club had relocated in 1992.

 Peered through the peep hole at the bars on the other side.

 Good strong lock.

The front of the Uniting Church which was built in 1903.

Another info plaque.

We will go for a drive later through Dial Range to go for a walk.

Interesting how Penguin township came into being – because of the need for timber for the house that the gold rush in Victoria created. Good picture of Penguin back in the day – shame it wasn’t a bit clearer.

Fairy Penguin info – they can swim up to 40km/h and can travel about 60km from this beach. They weigh approx one kilograms and stand 30 cm high. The average lifespan is 7 years and some retain the same mate for life. Normally they have 2 eggs and they are laid in spring. The task of incubating the eggs is shared by both parents and takes approx. 36 days. Chicks are helpless when first hatched but after continual brooding for approx. 15-21 days, the parents leave the chicks unguarded by day, only returning at night with food. After approx. 57 days the chicks have lost all their down and have grown waterproof plumage allowing them to fledge and go to sea. Young birds disperse widely and are not seen again at the colony for at least a year, most returning the following season. After breeding adult birds undergo an annual moult which takes approx. 16 days. In this time penguins cannot feed as they have lost their waterproof plumage and so they live on fat reserves they have accumulated. Birds can reach double their normal body weight when preparing for moult. Birds return to the water after the completion of the moult to “fatten up” before the onet of the next breeding season. A botanist named the town after the little Penguins in 1861.

Further along the footpath are more plaques about the penguins.

Went into the Info Centre and collected another pile of brochures. Someone has their penguin collection on display.

Amazing wedding cake decoration made in 1991. It is a copy of the Penguin Uniting Church and was done from pictures.

Mr Penguin in his suit at the Info Centre.

Got a history brochure so went looking for old buildings. This building was built in 1904 and  the Commercial Bank of Tasmania operated from here.

This was originally the police station, council chambers and magistrates court in 1908. The Gaol was located behind this building.

Located the Lions Club park which was listed in my book as a free camp. They have made it day only now – we wouldn’t have fitted in anycase. They had some lovely plants.

Looking over the next beach.

A chap detecting on the beach. There was a tin mine in this area in the early days. The flowering garden on the on the edge of railway are the work of two retired residents, Max Perry and Gordon Ling during the 1980s.

Amazing the railway runs right through town so close to everything with no guard rails etc though it only comes past 4 times a day.

Looking back to east over Penguin Beach.

In 1888 a bakery was built on this site by W Kidd. B Brown built this building in 1912 and it was used as a bakery until the late 1960’s. Next door was Thomas’ store, opened in 1904.

The first hotel was built in 1887 by J Taylor, the following year it was sold to Captain Anthon for the sailing ship “Eveline”. The present hotel was built in 1949 after a fire destroyed the previous building.

Stubb’s building built in 1895.

We don’t have good internet at Halls Point so I sat at a park bench doing my uploads while Steve went and got some generator fuel. The breeze is getting quiet cold.

Headed through town looking for the turnoff to Dial Range. Didn’t find it so followed the coastline. These are the 3 sisters.

We should have climbed down to look for gemstones.

Amazing the narrow road right beside the railway on the edge of the coastline – very picturesque.

Further on was Goat Island which you can walk to at low tide which it is but the tide is coming in so decided not to go in case we get caught.

There is a fish trap off the beach and kids were trying to round up fish – only found puffer fish.

We drove into Ulverstone. They have little fences between the beach and the railway to try and protect the penguins. Back out onto the Highway to try and find Dial Range. Turned off onto Dial Road and followed it passed acreages etc. Passed a big motorcross track and signs about trailbike rides etc. There were lots of hill climb 4WD tracks too. Found the Penguin to Cradle Trail but no other signs about all the walks you can do in the Dial Range. Nice drive but gave up and turned around and headed back. 

Back through the back of Penguin – a lot more houses then we thought. Went back to Sulphur Creek and turned up a Zig Zag road – thought it sounded interesting. It wound its way up the hill and through a big farming area – not sure what they were growing on the vines and on the little trees but they were all protected and there were acres of them.

Should have stopped and asked the question when a chap waved but the driver wouldn’t stop!! A maize/wheat type field then the poppy field.

Back down the bottom, looking up the hill we drove up, located right on the edge of the beach area.

Jon sent a text photo of his spa and surrounds that he has been working on.

The wind has picked up but we are protected. Wandered out for a couple of photos as the tide is quite high. Hasn’t washed Mr Seal out to sea yet.

Trying to get a photo of this bird – another one to identify.

Caught a good wave spraying up between the rocks.

Looking back to the point.

Walked over to the other beach for a photo. A lady told me where she sat watching the penguins surf in last night. Rain started to drop so back to the van. Looks like we might be in for some not so nice weather for a week but we can't complain, so far it has been lovely.

After tea wandered down to see if any penguins have come in early as it is quite dark because of the clouds. I stood on the beach so I could see them surf in this time as they come up close to the rocky outcrop. Two popped up and waddled up the beach then 4 more. One arrived alone and stood for a long while waiting for some others then they headed off calling to their young so they knew which way to go. They are so cute.