Strahan - Trial Harbour

27 February 2013
Decided to go camping over to the West Coast for a few days when we got a call from Russell and Claire who were holidaying in Strahan, so a little change of plans, instead of Queenstown for the night we headed to Strahan to join them for  a couple of days.

The trip of was windy and hilly but we managed to get there after four hours and a little car sickness. The weather was cold and rainy, apparently that's quite standard for that part of the country. Not the best when you're only sleeping in a tent.

28 February 2013
Russell and us went for a little explore around the area, the men were keen on fishing. Pity it was blowing a gail and cold, however the kids still tried playing on the beach.

Carl and Russell going for a paddle

I took the time to film Carl and Russell on their way out on the blow up boat for a funny video but typically nothing happened. It wasn't until they were coming back in that the video camera would have been handy. Let's just say, Carl was very wet and freezing cold. Oh, and no fish.

01 March 2013
Today Carl, Harrison, William and I are off to experience one of the world's greatest railway journeys, the West Coast Wilderness Railway from Strahan to Queenstown. It was a fantastic day and we all enjoyed ourselves, me mostly as I could just sit and do absolutely nothing. The beauty of the train was equally matched by the scenery.

steam train to Queenstown

where we had lunch

some hills, trees and water

02 March 2013
Left Strahan and ended up at Trial Harbour, which is west of Zeehan. A beautiful and peaceful place. We would have stayed longer if we had of packed Harry's birthday presents.

camping at Trial Harbour

sunset at Trial Harbour

how to get a fire going when the wood is a little wet

03 March 2013
Homeward bound...really need a shower!!!

The drive back to New Norfolk was much more pleasurable than the drive over. The sun was shining and we stopped along the way to have a look at a few tourist spots.

First was the Iron Blow lookout at Queenstown. Queenstown is a place to be seen to be believed. Have no idea how people have lived there for so long.

all trees are gone long a go to feed copper mine

iron blow hole - Queenstown

Next stop, the Wall in the wilderness at Derwent Bridge. The Wall is a 100 metres long and three metres high wooden wall with carvings of the Central Highlands of Tasmania's history all funded and created by artist Greg Duncan. He still has a little way to go before it is complete, however what he has done is absolutely brilliant and well worth a look.

Further along the road you pass through two hydro electric power stations. The pipes feeding water into them are very large.

hydro electric power station

We stopped in on a couple of the nearby towns...it was eerie...well kept houses all of the same design and freshly painted. Didn't see a sole, so it felt like a ghost town, then there was the hum of the power station. There is six hydro plants in the area.

At Hamilton we caught up with our friends, Tom, Bronwyn, Harry, Joe and Charlie. We were going to camp but decided just to stay for drinks and dinner before heading back to our wonderful caravan.