Fri, 13th Mar, 2015 Northeast Park, Scottsdale (Carvings & waterfall exploring)

13 degrees at 8am. Black Friday but we hope it will be a good day instead. Though a big bang got us jumping. Steve thinks one of the timber trucks blew a tyre coming down the hill past us. I worked on my blog for a bit then packed our lunch and drove into Scottsdale to head to Legerwood – oops went the wrong way but found the Info Centre and came out with a lot more info to read!! Back down past the camp area and heading to Legerwood. A passing van flicked up a rock that went bang but the windscreen didn’t crack so hope it didn’t get the solar panel.

Through rolling farmland which is lovely and green compared to Burnie area. Up a range through forestry plantations or tree farms for the ones owned by people rather than the Forestry. Over Billycocks Hill at 345m. Lots of logging trucks going by loaded with logs. Very picturesque drive.

Turned off at a chainsaw carved man pointing the way to Legerwood and more carvings. A timber truck rumbled by when we stopped at the park (300m).

Wandered around looking at the amazing carving paying tribute to the local men who lost their lives in the Great War. The trees were planted in 1918 but became unsafe in 2001 so instead of having them removed the locals raised money to hire Eddie Freeman of Ross carved these statues using chainsaws. The carvings are based on actual photographs of the soldiers.

It was very moving and amazing to think of the skill Mr Freeman has to create these statues.

There was a great life poem where the donation box was – “How to live your Dash”.  Will put it up on Facebook too.

They have also put in a memorial garden for families who have lost loved ones. Very nice area. The old train station is now toilets, BBQ picnic area and a little kiosk.

Checked out where the rock had hit – it was the windscreen but just two little marks, didn’t crack. Made a big enough noise. Steve liked the sign in the unisex toilets.

As we headed out of town we had a great view across to top of Mt Victoria 1213m.

Turned off onto a dirt logging road to find Ralph Falls. Magical views over the valley and hills covered in the timber plantations.

Headed into Mt Victoria State Forest, climbing along the edge of the hills. Took a photo at 680m elevation. Lovely and green and tranquil.

Looking up the valley.

The road was good but narrow.

Further along there was a sign about the hand stoned wall which we think meant the steep cliff side below the road was reinforced with stones as the other side was just solid rock. Great view from 840m elevation back down over the valley.

Pulled into the carpark next to the picnic shelter at Ralph Falls. Certainly is a popular spot going by the number of names on the walls.

The lady at the Info Centre had said it was closed but there is another walk so we thought we would check it out. Had some lunch then headed off to explore the circuit walk. A lot cooler up here. Started off down the walk to find the toilets. All seemed ok so kept following the trail.

Stopped at the turn off to the lookout that was closed off. Great view back down to the valley from here.

Water flowed past so took a photo of that as ‘the falls’ since we can’t get out to the falls!!

We walked out to another open point and could look across to the lookout. Couldn’t see any damage.

I literally crawled out onto a big rock to look back at what I thought was the falls.

Then down to the bottom.

Then down to the valley.

Climbed back up to where Steve was above me and took a shot of the rock I crawled out onto – brave wasn’t I!!

Steve said the real falls were on the other side of us and fell down from this creek.

I could just make out the top of the falls.

We decided to walk back to the lookout as I saw another path. Looking back to where we had been standing.

Walked along the path carefully but there was nothing wrong with it at all other than being narrow. The lookout itself was perfect. So glad we walked out the view was amazing over the Ringarooma Valley.

Ralphs Falls were spectacular being just a narrow ribbon of water falling down the fluted cliffs of Mt Victoria. It is the longest single drop waterfall in Australia (100m cliff top to valley).

 Looking down the valley floor where the water flows away to head out to the Bass Strait.

The ‘other’ falls was nothing to look at but with a bit of rain might be good.

Zoomed in on the top of the falls where we had been next to before.

Back on the track and we cross over the creek. I can’t find the name of it on my maps but I think it flows down and into the Ringarooma River.

 Lovely and clear.

Up some steps – of course!!

To a flat open rock area with another great view over the RingaroomaValley. Wonga Mick has been here again with this rock stacking.

Looking back to the road we travelled up.

View to the top of the rocks of Mt Victoria above us.

Zoomed in on the coastline and Bass Strait in the distance.

Following the path through lovely treed area. I loved it – there was something special about the feeling here.

Of course when one tree comes down, a lot come down. The bracken will grow quickly here with all the sunlight coming through.

Out onto another point for a different view down the next valley.

Looking to the right then left of us.

Turned off to follow the markers to Cashs Gorge lookout.

The walks are worth it with views like these.

Little Christmas trees.

Heading further around the track and onto a boardwalk. Lots of wombat and devil poos along the way.

Out into the open scrub area.

Pass the site of the original bridal track though not sure if we are walking on it or it goes another way – not the best information.

Out into the button grass country.

Across the top of the creek that flows to Ralphs Falls.

Back to the carpark and on the road again. Heading down through open button grass area that is a lot wetter than the other side up the mountain. There is a lot more water on the side of the road and there is a lot more potholes. Down through more forestry area then across a river at 500m. No sign saying the river’s name either. Roads are cleared here as the trees are starting to close in on the road.

Through more forestry plantations.

Road narrows as we head into more rainforest.

Across the South George River (280m) that flows down from St Columba Falls.

Turned onto a bitumen road then up to the carpark for the Falls. Made a cuppa and chatted with a couple from Bundaberg. Headed down for the walk to the falls through an info hut. Very interesting.

I saw the big intake pipes when we crossed the bridge.

Lovely walk though there were a few low branches to watch out for.

Half way down we spotted the falls – this is the top half.

Down through the very tall tree ferns.

Across the river – someone saw a platypus in here recently.

Got down to the bottom viewing platform and the sun was just at the wrong angle but I managed to get some nice photos holding my hand to block out the sun. Lots of spray floating around.

More facts – height, 90m, one of the tallest in Tasmania. Volume of water – 42,000 litres per minute (on average). In the winter months this increases to in excess of 200,000 litres per minute. The falls have never been known to run dry. Catchment area – 4200 hectares of mountainous thickly forested country, including the north-eastern sides of Mt Victoria and Mt Albert. It flows into the sea at St Helens in Georges Bay. The water flows over granite.

Some more info.

Selfie.

Some more photos with the sun beaming down.

Steve had moved the car down to the entrance before we walked down. Now we notice we can see the falls clearly from here, but the walk was good so you were underneath it.

Headed down following the river downstream where it was meet the sea near St Helens. Out into the flat Pyengana Valley which is the St Columba property (120m).

Turned off to check out the camp area at the Pub in the Paddock. The pub is heritage listed as it was created about 1880 when the sons of the family spent more time drinking than running the farm. Read about it on the info board back at the Falls.

As we drove in a couple of road motorbikes whizzed pass us on the dirt in a rush to meet their mates at the pub, making the dust rise – brainless!! We pulled over and went to chat with a group at a picnic table. I thought they were the campers having happy hour but they were a group from South Australia doing a quick tour in a bus. Had a great chat with them then went into the Pub for a look around. Lots of old photos, funny sayings etc, wasn’t game to take any photos though as there was price signs on some of the sayings.

It is also famous for its beer drinking pigs. Priscilla is the Princess in the Paddock.

 She is a healthy specimen and wasn’t interested in a drink at this point.

She got up, had a stretch then turned around.

In the pen next door used to be Pinky – not sure what happened to her/him. Will have to send that to our Pinky!!!

Across the George River then turned back towards Scottsdale rather than going on to St Helens. Looking back at Mt Victoria again.

Up the Weldborough Pass which is a narrow windy range to 600m elevation. Turned off to Little Plains Lookout but the trees have grown up. Great view over the tree tops.

Zoomed in on Edwards Peak.

Then Mt Albert.

Some interesting information about this area called “White’s Farm”.

Heading back down the other side of the Pass looking over the lush pastures.

Through Weldborough (380m), “Wilderness & Wildlife” and over Weld Hill where the sign said 373m.

Further down the range to 200m at Moorina where there is gemstones etc to be found (need to spend some time here.

Past onions being harvested by a big machine – we could tell by the smell.

As we head into Derby we pass the “Fish Rock”.

Across the Ringarooma River (160m) into Derby. Looks like a lovely little town with lots of history about its tin mining. Nice free camp here so will be back to explore further.

Another look at Mt Victoria as we head through Branxholm and back to where we turned off to Legerwood.

Up and down the hills again back to Scottsdale (220m). The park is full again and we have a whizbang on one side and a motorhome right beside our awning. Had to put our truck on the edge of the road across the front of the van.

Poured a drink and walked over to the lake where a platypus was busy working his way around the edge. Watched him for a while then headed back to the van as it is starting to cool off. Leftovers tonight which is nice. Feeling chilled in the van though the thermometer says it is only 19 degrees. Weather says there is a cold front coming, shame as we were just thinking how lovely and warm it was during the day.