Mon, 1st Dec, 2014 Hall Point, Sulphur Creek to Hellyer Gorge Rest Area

Rain during the night. Strong winds are rocking the van as they are now coming from the east rather than north. Packed up and headed towards Burnie so we can get some water at Cooee Point Reserve and use the dump point. I got on the computer to do some uploads while I had reception. Interesting being in the van as Steve crawled from the water point to the dump point – all good, just the wind chimes making a good tune and our Bathurst plastic mugs swinging on the hooks.

Headed off to find Guide Falls near Ridgley. As we leave Burnie it is a good climb up the hill to Mt Campbell (150m above sea level) and Upper Burnie. Passed a turnoff for Upper Burnie Lookout so will check that out when we are stopping at Cooee later. Found Woolies so will get my groceries there next time as there is plenty of parking room.

Lots of dairy farms here and the open green fields remind us of the Tablelands again. When we had commented on how green it was around here Alan had said that they had needed more rain as the hay was not good quality. Well they are getting a bit today. Only passed one milk truck so far. Through to Ridgley (320m) then down the valley to Guide Falls (160m). Interesting information about Freshwater Sponges.

Lovely creek.

They have those big nasty ants here too.

Zoomed in the strange rock formation.

A little waterfall along the way. It was making a major crashing sound as the water was tumbling rocks under the falls.

Big tree has just fallen over.

Steve said this is probably where they got the idea of stamped concrete.

Walked down to the bottom of the falls – not high but wide. Would be lovely on a hot summer’s day to sit with the cool spray flying over you – if they get hot summer day’s here!!

Fascinating rocks formations.

Up the stairs to look at the top of the falls.

Then looking over the top of the falls.

Lovely area with two good parking areas – could sneak in here for a night. Majestic trees – no koalas though.

So tall and straight.

This one had to share its space with another tree.

Followed the ring road through to West Ridgley as there were a couple more waterfalls on my list but we couldn’t find any signposts. The weather is closing in so kept on going. Back up a range and through eucalyptus tree plantations (340m) on the plateau. Back down again to Tewkesbury (240m) and the rain is getting heavier. Turned on the air conditioner to demist the windscreen but it didn’t work. Haven’t used it much since Bathurst. Climbed back up to 440m and more timber plantations. It is a lovely drive even if it is drizzly – just like Millaa. At least it is washing the sea salt spray off us. Onto a gravel road for 11km – good road, just hope we don’t meet any timber trucks. We are up in the clouds now at 520m. Lovely tree ferns line the road.

They probably don’t see the sun much up here going by the amount of moss growing on everything. It is all tree plantation areas with roads going off with signs labelling the different areas.

Through cloudy Oonah - a dot on the map but we couldn’t find a house, just more trees. Back onto the bitumen onto Murchison Highway (450m) then a climb up along the ridge so that we are looking down on the plantations – would be a good view on a clear day (510m). We are now in pine plantation area and still in the clouds. Lucky there has been no traffic at all.

We start down a very windy range for 11km to Hellyer Gorge (like Gillies Range), trouble is we will be going back up it again in two days when we head back to Burnie. Out of the clouds and the rain is only a light sprinkle as we cross the Hellyer River bridge and turn into the rest area (260m).

A huge bus with its car trailer is there and it isn't a big area. We backed into a nice spot and set up camp. After lunch headed off for a walk but stood chatting to the owners for another hour. The bus couple were from Brisbane and then their friends pulled up (Toowoomba). They were all coming back from the west side as the wind was howling – oops might have to change our plans. It is not a big area with barricades that you put up tents on the other side of. Trouble is now there are so many travelling with vans these places need to be reworked. Another van pulls in for lunch. We headed off for the 15 minute walk down to the river and along the bank. Very picturesque and tranquil. The Hellyer River joins the Arthur River which winds its way out to the west coast.

Lots of mossy trees and the grass is like a moss too.

Will come back later to see if we can see a platypus. Looking upstream.

Looking downstream towards the bridge.

Up onto the bridge (looking downstream) and Steve threw in a big bug he found. It kicked around on the surface and eventually a trout darted out and ate it, followed by another one.

Up the track to the van.

I made a cuppa and some pikelets (Mum’s recipe). Shared them with the others while we chatted. They are heading off south to the Finger Post near Warratah. One lady said that I need to get a new Everyday Rewards card from Woolies as they have a different one to the mainland. Apparently they started the card here first and offer a lot more rewards so when they took it to the mainland they created a new card and offered us less. That would be right.

The clouds are parting and the sun is shining now so set up the table and am working on my blog outside with the sound of the rapids and tweeting birds. There a few mozzies annoying me but they aren’t biting. Steve found we lost the air conditioner belt so after he cleaned the outside of the van (got dirty on the gravel road) he is now changing all the belts. What a good boy he is.

Unfortunately of the three belts he has carried around for years, he could only get one of the three to fit. Luckily it is cold so we don’t need the air con – only as a demister. Will have to check out if there is a Nissan dealer in Burnie as these ones were from Super Cheap!! The sun has disappeared again.

Had a wander down the track to see if we could find a platypus but no luck. Went across the road where there is more open camping but it hasn’t been used for a long while as there are trees down etc. Quiet night as there are not many cars come past. Watched our Tassie caravan DVDs as there is no TV or phone reception.