Wed, 18th Feb, 2015 Mackintosh Dam to Luina (Corinna sightseeing)

Cool overcast morning. Packed up and headed to Waratah. Noticed some more bee hives here at the dam too.

Over some lovely new road, then the old road with lots of roadworks. Up and down hills again. Climbed a range to 710m as we go along the edge of the Cradle Mountain area. New roads are nice and wide. At 770m elevation we pass the turn off to Cradle Mountain that we took back in December. Seems so long ago now. No view along here as we are in a tunnel of trees and Steve has got the truck wound up to 90km on this straight flattish road and into 5^th gear. 

Past Fossy River Rest Area (660m) and we turn off to the left at the “Fingerpost”. Still haven’t found out why it is called that. The sun is out now but the wind is still cold.

It was a big drive, 40 minutes total to Waratah. Looks like a lovely little town. Did a lap around it looking for the dump point etc. While the boys did the duties we walked over to the Council Office to find out about the camp here. It used to be free then I heard it was $6 now. When we enquired the young lady said the new council of Wynyard/Waratah have now put it at $20/n for no power and $25 for power and water. She apologised as they are not happy with the new rules. As we were discussing it a chap commented that he stopped about 10 km further down the road to Corinna at the abandoned township of Luina. I remember Alan saying something about it too – also to watch out for the big trucks travelling in tandem carrying silica. We had a look at the camp area which is behind the Council Office – like a little van park, all in a row. After discussing it with the guys we decided to go on to Luina. Unfortunately he didn’t mention the range we had to go down and it was 16 km not 10. Found it ok (330m elevation) just past the Whyte River. Just the remains of the bitumen roads are left so found a clear area and set up camp.

Our ‘friendly’ march flies have followed us. Had a cuppa and packed our lunches to drive down to Corinna on the west coast.

Past lots of State Forestry area.

Up and down and along the hillside edge of the overlooking the forests of the Tarkine. Wouldn’t like to get lost out there (440m elevation).

What a beautiful coloured dam. Turned out to be the tailing dam for the iron ore mine at Savage River.

Big tyre at the entrance to the mining town of Savage River. The mine company is called The Grange.

Lots of accommodation here.

Now onto the dirt road. Very white dirt so will be easy to see the road or traffic in the distance.

Stopped at the lookout just out of town (380m). All about the Tarkine.

More beehives out here. Those beekeepers must do some miles. Mt Meredith (810m) stands out.

Through open scrubland to rainforest as we head into Corinna that was established in 1894 (big signs telling us a few times are we drive in!)

Steve dropped me off to read the signs while he parked the car. Some history about the area and the ferry driver.

Next was the old butcher’s shop.

Across the road was the Post Office with the Roadman’s Cottage up to the right behind it.

The old pub is accommodation now. I like how they still have the old bicycle out front that was in the old photograph.

Across the road is the Corinna hotel now with lots of information outside. There are lots of walk but the main one we wanted to do was the short one to see the Huon Pines.

I wanted to get to the Philosopher’s Falls though they say is it a bit harder walk.

Another long walk is to Mt Donaldson.

Lots of walks combined with canoeing.

Old history on Corinna.

On a little boardwalk I found a plaque and a lovely big Huon Pine that is about 60 to 100 years old.

Another Huon Pine stump they say is 400/600 years old according to its growth rings.

Leanne went down to check out the ferry.

Across it goes.

And back from the other side.

Great sign about the Fatman Barge.

Looking up and down the Pieman River.

Headed off to do the Huon Pine walk (20 mins). Looks like no one has been keeping the paths clear.

Nice walk though.

Interesting information about the Pining on the Pieman.

We thought we would be seeing lots of Huon Pines but this is about all there is. These old ones were spared from logging because severe flooding meant their shape had formed badly.

Went back to the cars and had our lunch at the picnic tables by the river. I decided to do the Whyte River Walk which was 1 ½ hours. It is a forest walk providing superb views of the Pieman and Whyte Rivers. The others headed back to the vans.  Steve’s foot was hurting.

The campground is down by the water. Little platforms are provided for tents etc but not much room for caravans. This one was called “Riverview”.

The track heads off from the end of the campground along the Pieman River.

Looks like an old slipway.

Was an interesting walk though I spent most of my time looking down as it was very bumpy over roots, logs etc.

Up the stairs and down the other side.

Spied a couple more Huon Pines along the water’s edge. Though not the majestic looking ones I thought we were going to see.

Found a sign just resting against the tree. Someone had cleaned the “you are here” spot so I am just about to turn onto Whyte River.

Looking down the Whyte River to where it meets the Pieman.

Further along was a board about the Whyte River Mine which was a gold mine.  Fancy someone carted this picnic table in here!!

Not the most exciting river. Keep expecting a croc or something in the murky water.

The biggest tree that I have seen.

Started to climb up the hill away from the river. At least the boardwalks are ok.

 Because the rest is lumpy or muddy.

As I came up through the trees I could hear the ferry going back and forth so I knew I was on the right track.

But eventually I came out up where the cabins are further up the hill from the river. . Only took me 50 minutes all up.

Walked back to the ferry area to find Steve. The tour boat was in.

Found Steve and headed back out of Corinna. Turned off onto the Western Explorer Road which would go all the way up towards Arthur River on the west coast. A couple of backpackers in their station wagon stopped us to ask where they can get fuel from. It was 59km back to Waratah or 51km and a ferry ride down to Zeehan. They were organised!!! Drove up to Savage River. Not very exciting though Steve did see one trout. Lots of 4WD tracks going off into the bush. One looked like it was a mud track type.

Had a cuppa then headed back. When they have summer here it is lovely.

Back to the Savage River Grange mines. Zoomed in on some trucks working in the distance.

 The water certainly is a lovely colour though not very good for you.

Back to the van. Leanne was collecting marchies in her bucket!! A lady popped in to invite us over to their campfire for a drink later. They were at couple of streets over!!!

Grabbed our drinks, nibbles and chairs and headed off the way she went along a path. Was a bit further than we thought. They are Queenslanders in a big bus who have been on the road for 7 years and have been in Tassie for 16 months so far. We found out from them that the mine here was called Cleveland Tin Mine and Luina was the township. Across the road from where we are camped was the servo and shop with the school nearby. This was 30 years ago. After the houses etc were removed (taken to the next mine area) the NP & WS came through spraying all the non-native plants. All that is left is the bitumen roads and the gutters etc. Later they did an aerial seeding with Mytrle, Sassafras etc to revegetate the area. It certainly is working. Apparently there has been some exploratory work happening so maybe the mine and town will spring to life again one day.

He also said that the mine just outside of Corinna was a silica mine of the highest quality. They only take 2 big truck loads out each day (that’s what Alan had told us about).

He was a wealth of knowledge which was handy. He also said that the Grange Mine at Savage River mined Iron Ore. It is sent as a slurry via long pipelines to a Port near Wynyard.

Learnt lots and enjoyed our chat but the march flies and little black bugs just about drove us nuts so headed back to the van for dinner. It must have been the smoke the bugs were after as there wasn’t any at our camp. Enjoyed our dinner outside for a change. Cooled off about 8pm.

Texted Dan to check he hasn’t been eating any of those ‘bad’ berries that have been on about on the news. He said it was all good.

Had good internet here so uploaded 3 days to the blog (6 to 8^th Feb – so behind but life has been too good).