2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Sat, 14th Feb, 2015 Golf Club, Strahan to Trial Harbour

Happy Valentine’s Day. Woke to heavy rain. Going out in sympathy to Cairns as they are supposed to be getting lots of rain.

Steve noticed the tyre was still going down and after checking for another nail he found that the rim has split. He went around to the servo hoping he could get the tyre changed onto the spare rim but they couldn’t do anything. Will have to wait till Monday in Zeehan.

Rain has stopped so packed up and headed off with overcast sky. Past the pine plantations again and the turn off to Henty Dunes. Over the Henty River and uphill past a Scenic Lookout. Steve wasn’t stopping as it would have been an uphill start!! As we get closer we run along the edge of the Professor Range. Mainly low scrub here.

Slowly climbing up to 250m. Mt Dundas is shrouded in cloud in the distance with just the top peeking out (1143m).

Past a big coal pit. Big drive today, 46kms to Zeehan (180m). Another historic mining town. Pulled to dump point area where you can park overnight. Amazing how drizzly weather changes your outlook on somewhere – place looked dank and dreary. Drove into the main street and stopped at the park. A boat sculpture representing the ‘Trial’ that Trial Harbour was named after further across on the west coast.

Everyone had said that the Museum here was a definite must to do. Went in to check it out $15 each but there were a few buildings and heaps and heaps of machinery, displays and information etc. I had taken a photo of the Dubbs & Co Locomotive, “Murchison” out front. It was used on by Emu Bay Railway Company from 1900 to 1961.

The Museum is in the old School of Mines building which opened in 1902.

Chatted with the young lady about where to stay and she recommended driving down to Trial Harbour with the van. Decided we would do that so will do the museum tomorrow.

Went for a wander down the main street. This is the Gaiety Theatre, a majestic old building. The Theatre and Grand Hotel was built in 1898 after the first hotel here (The Royal Exchange) was burnt down in 1884. It was one of the first to be constructed of bricks which were made locally. All these building are now part of the Museum and are slowly being restored as funds are available, hence the $15 entrance.

Before heading down to Trial Harbour I suggested we check out the Spray Tunnel I had seen on the map. Down a narrow dirt road – starting to wonder where we were heading – then we found a big open parking area and info board all about the Silver Mines. In 1890 there were 370 leases pegged in this area – not all were successful though.

The tunnel was first dug as an exploratory adit and then to link up with the 2 foot tramway to allow the passage of the 10 ton locomotive and boilers to the site of the stamper mill.

Leanne had headed off and was at the other end of the tunnel by the time we entered.

Mainly thin skinny trees here.

Back over where we parked the car is the remains of the Silver Spray Mine’s operations. Only some concrete blocks are left.

And deep holes. The chap we met at the tunnel said that anywhere you climb around these hills you will find old mine shafts.

Headed back to the van and the sun has started to peek out about 2.30pm. Headed off past Mt Agnew (846m), another area of mines.

She said the road was 10km of bitumen then a good dirt road.

It was low grass area so easy to see anyone coming towards us. Another reasonably flat area. No wonder the Roaring 40s just ‘roar’ through here.

First glimpse of the Southern Ocean again.

Looking back to Mt Zeehan (702m).

This is part of Ocean Beach that runs up from Macquarie Heads.

Not much room should we meet someone.

Looking down over Trial Harbour. We are amazed at how many houses are here.

A chap had stopped us up the top saying there was a hard hairpin turn at the bottom. It was sharp but there was plenty of room to go out wide so the van didn’t drop too sharply.

Parked and went for a walk to check out the camping area. Narrow rutted road to where 2 other vans were parked. There were a couple of other camp spots into the scrub as well for tents. Worked out there was enough room so the boys went back to bring the vans in.

Steve started backing in beside the van there and a lady poked out her head and said to me “you can’t park there, that’s where my husband parks his car”. I ‘nicely’ said that it was the only spot for us to fit and there was plenty of room for his car on the other side of their van. She closed her door. Oh well, you meet all types.

Rick got his van into position but they had problems levelling it so Steve gave them a hand.

The other van on the front said he would be leaving in the morning and explained that the cranky lady just sits in the van all day and reads books. Her husband is nice so we aren’t worried.

Leanne and I went for a walk down into the township. Most looked like they were weekenders but some have spent a lot of money on the houses.

Some lovely flowers to brighten up the place.

An impressive pile of driftwood. Hope it doesn’t go up in smoke.

Scary looking chap at the entrance. Wonder what he is cooking for lunch.

At the boat ramp we found some info boards.

Great view up past where we are camped.

The boat ramp.

It was nearly 6pm but the sun was still shining and we found the History Room. The owner Brian said to come up. Lots of old relics in the yard.

The little hut was the “The Assay Lab”.

We met Shirley and chatted away. Great view from their verandah. We could see our vans clearly. It was such a lovely afternoon too that we thought what a wonderful place to live.

Picked up an info brochure - The town was originally called Remine, pronounced Rem in ee. The harbour was named after the small vessel “Trial” carrying Mr Ingleton who was to be the manager of the Montagu Mine on the south Heemskirk Field. It was driven ashore overnight during a gale. When reporters of the Mercury Newspaper arrived and on asking the name of the boat on the beach, raised their mugs in spirit and proposed the toast “Here’s to the health of Trial Harbour”. So the spot was name on the 10^th March, 1881. During its hey day (1890s) there were two hotels, general store, restaurant, blacksmith’s shop, post and telegraph office and police quarters, along with houses, tents and camps. On 26^th Feb, 1887 a bush fire swept through Remine and burnt almost every building. Most of them were rebuilt. On the 12^th Oct, 1887 the boat, after which the harbour was name was wrecked and lost while trying to get into the opening she had been the first to enter. Lots of mines were established in the north north-east of the township. Transport from Trial to Zeehan was by packhorses along a very rough road. The need for the port of Trial disappeared when the railway opened in 1892 between Zeehan and Strahan. It was used for a few years after this for the supply by boat of rails for the Federation Mine. What did remain of the township was again devastated by fire and wasn’t occupied again until the early 1900s. Today, 100 years later there are 46 dwellings, which are mainly used as holiday homes with a few permanent people. Shirley said there are 10 permanents now.

You can see the old packhorse zig zag track going up the hill.

Will come back tomorrow to go through the museum. Stumpy smiles as we leave.

Will have to make a deposit tomorrow.

Great view out the kitchen window. Will sleep well tonight listening to the waves.

A young couple camped down the road walked out of the scrub behind our van. They had climbed up the hill behind us to enjoy the view. As it looked like we should get a clear sunset we decided to go up to watch the sun set over the Southern Ocean. Had drinks and nibbles with the others then dinner.

8pm headed up the path. What a walk!! – straight up but what a fabulous view. Zoomed in on the vans.

Just behind the back of our van is another pathway that leads down to the creek which flows out into the sea. The walk then continues on around the edge through the scrub.

Looking back to the hill behind us and there is a waterfall up high.