Wed, 3rd Dec, 2014 Hellyer Gorge Rest Area to Cooee Point Reserve

Lovely morning as we packed up. I had left the phone in the car on the aerial as we didn’t have any service when we arrived. Now the clouds have cleared it got a few messages. One from my cousin Roald. They had sold their house in Perth and will be moving across the country to Corroibah, Qld. Roald said to drop by the house they lived in while my uncle managed the plywood factory opposite it, in Somerset. He has lovely memories of growing up there as kids.We are heading that way so will check it out.

Jon sent photos via text message of the work he has been doing in the backyard of the house around his spa pool. Looks very nice.

Back up the range. Got a glimpse through the trees of the gorge below. We can see across the timber plantations better with no clouds!!! Brighter look at the plantations as we headed back towards Somerset. 

The fence line is covered in blackberry bushes which are a pest but make the loveliest jam. Saw a dead Tassie Devil on the side of the road.

Passed a lovely little dam just before Henrietta. Back in the open farm country – even a few sheep. 

View from Elliott. There is a blue haze in the air – not sure if it is like the Blue Mtns and the eucalypt haze or it is sea spray as the wind is up. 

Down to the coast to Somerset. Found the house opposite the plywood factory. Took some photos to email to Roald.

Over the Cam River bridge. 

Into the little town of Cooee just east of Burnie where we will camp for 5 days on the point beside the old Abattoir. 

  

Set up beside a couple from Hervey Bay – Craig and Kathryn, and lots of others but it is roomy area. They joined us for a cuppa and big discussions about where to go, how to do it and all about our vans and trucks. Lovely couple.

Headed into town to register for the campsite at the Info Centre and to check what the weather will be like on the west coast as we are changing our plans after everyone we have spoken to on their way back complained about the terrible winds. I also asked about what the poppy fields looked like as we saw a light purple one with “Do Not Enter” signs. These are the poppy ones and the white fields are Pyrethrum which is used in pesticides and they supply 50% of Australia’s Pyrethrum. Also some of the white fields could be potatoes so now I will be confused. There are also lavender fields.

Steve got some new fan belts from Autobarn up the road. Cooee is called the “golden mile” as all the car yards line the main road. He tried the first one and it was wrong!! Little walk back and then he tried another one – success. He will get some spares tomorrow. Took Craig for a drive as he was interested in the intercooler for his car. Certainly noticed the difference.

Headed back to Burnie South to go to Fern Glade to try and find a platypus. Lovely area beside the Emu River. It is one of the 60 Great Short Walks of Tasmania. 

Found a nice polished rock carving of a platypus. 

A few signs of information but some need a good clean. They say even though there was a mill across the river the platypus always stayed here and it is the most likely place to be able to see one. 

Nice and quiet but no platypus. Interesting reading along the way as Steve had commented about their burrows being under the water in Qld, so now we are looking for ones above the waterline. 

Maybe one lives here. Will try later tomorrow if the weather holds as they are forecasting rain. 

Back to the van for dinner as we are going to see the penguins at 8.30 with Craig & Kathryn. Rang Roald and Joan in Perth to say we had seen the house etc and good luck with their move.

Glad we brought our big coats as it is a bit chilly. Fairy penguins are now known as Little Penguins – how bad is that for political correctness. I forgot my camera but remembered my torch. They gave us red cellophane to cover the lens so we don’t frighten the penguins. There is a boardwalk along the rocky area and over the beach and the penguins nest in burrows and in concrete mounds volunteers put in for them. There were a few babies out of their nests. Some still had lots of fluffy fir and others looked nearly ready to leave the nest. Took a while then the parents started to come in on the waves and climb up the rocks. They spent a long time preening themselves then they waddled up and started calling to their young. They stayed out of their burrows too and fed them which was great to see. Mad that I forgot my camera but we will come back again. Great night.

Egg Laying - Sept to Oct  40 to 70% chance of viewing a penguin

Chick Rearing - Nov to Jan  70 to 100% chance

Moulting  - Feb to Mar  60 to 80% chance

Non Breeding activities  - Apr to Sept 0 to 20% chance

The wind has picked up but Steve has the awning secure so all good.

Tues, 2nd Dec, 2014 Hellyer Gorge Rest Area

Quiet morning listening to the birds. Overcast again with light misty drizzle. Steve did my hair. Read more info about where we want to go etc. Nice relaxing day.

Followed the other walking track downstream. Met another couple from Newcastle along the way. They had been on the west coast too and said the wind drove them inland. Might have to rethink our next stop – apparently the wind settles in February. Will see after a few days at Burnie and I will check the weather bureau online. Had a laugh with them about pronunciation of Launceston as her Tassie friend had picked her up on it. A lady at Hall Point mentioned it to me too. I had said it as Lawnceston but it is Lonceston, I said are you from Newcassel or Newcarsel!! They also said the gardens below Smithton are magical. The chap had dairy farm and slowly changed it over to gardens over the past 22 years. Might have to call in and check them out. She said the bumble bees in there are something out of Jurassic Park!!

This walk hasn’t had much upkeep for a while as we climbed over logs etc. But it is magical with all the moss covered logs etc, could almost see the fairies flying around.

Found a couple of interesting fungi. Felt wet and spongy.

We left the side of the river and continued uphill. Some great trees in here.

They go a long way up.

Reached the end of the track at the road so turned round and went back down again.

And when they fall down they cover a lot of ground.

 The path was cut through this one.

Can’t work out how old it is – too much moss.

We know where they got the idea for the spongy stuff under playgrounds now – this moss. It is like walking on a trampoline.

Back to the river and to the van for lunch.

Lots of people stop here for smoko or lunch so always someone to have a chat with.

A couple of families who were at the national athletics comp in Penguin were going to have a go at fishing. Steve told them we had seen some under the bridge. They didn’t catch any – just one of the kids fell in the river so that was the end of that. Steve is going to have a go but his line, hooks etc are a bit over the top for trout.

A mosquito landed on the laptop – they are huge but mainly just fly around me.

Made some scones with lemonade, couple plain and a couple with sultanas. Not bad I must say and even Stephen said so. Forgot to take a photo as we gobbled them down.

Headed down to the river to see if Mr Trout is interested in a wobbly piece of plastic!!!

Steve tried this side first and only caught a rock. Had to clamber along the river edge to the other side of the bridge to get it off.

 His lure is the orange thing on the left. I was on the bridge looking down at it.

Then he flicked from there for a while. I saw one fish follow it across the rocks in the middle. I was standing on top of the bridge looking down. Then Steve tried from the bridge right to the spot I saw the trout yesterday eat the bug.

Don’t know why he wouldn’t be interested!! The fact it sinks, is big and nothing like a fly might have something to do with it. But it passed the time!!!

Washed the truck then had a quiet drink admiring our lovely surroundings. Opened the outside dropdown table and found we had a hitchhiker. He soon got his marching orders.

All up to date on the blog so settled down to read my book that I haven’t picked up since Phillip Island. Cooked dinner then heard a rustle in the bush. Put out some bread and he came back so managed to get a photo before he jumped off - it was a paddymelon (I think).

Went through Dan’s movies and had movie night.

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.