australianhorizonsblog

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 24 – Mount Field National Park

October 30, 2024

Today we venture to Mount Field National which rises from cool temperate rainforests to alpines areas dotted with many lakes. The rainforest tree, Tasmanian laurel is very hardy. The creek from the track to Russell Falls. Tree being recycled back into the nutrient cycle. Family photo recreation – with a huge Dicksonia tree fern. The … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 24 – Mount Field National Park

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 23 – kunanyi – Mount Wellington

October 29, 2024

kunanyi/Mount Wellington is a dramatic backdrop to Hobart. The mountain rises to 1,270 metres above sea level and is frequently covered by snow, with snowfalls even occurring in summer. Rhododendrons in Wellington Park at Ferntree The Organ Pipes are towering dolerite cliffs are one of the defining features of kunanyi / Mt Wellington. The long road up … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 23 – kunanyi – Mount Wellington

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 22 – Historic towns and handkerchief heists

October 28, 2024

A drive through the Midlands. We start the day in the gardens at Launceston. Japanese maple Campbell Town Inn which was built in 1840. Campbell Town was established in 1826 as a garrison town with soldiers to maintain the displacement of the Tyerrernotepanner people who were formidable opponents of settler colonisation and aggression during the Black … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 22 – Historic towns and handkerchief heists

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 21 – Sheffield

October 27, 2024

With me having tested positive too, we limp on to Launceston to some accommodation that kindly took us in knowing the circumstances. Our current travels are a little underwhelming considering we were to drive the Murchison Highway through the high country and forests of the west to Zeehan, Strahan and Queenstown. We also had to … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 21 – Sheffield

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Days 19 and 20 – Burnie and the Devil of a virus

October 26, 2024

We are laying low for a few days due to a infection you may have heard of in recent years – the dreaded Omicron aka Kraken aka COVID 19. We may have made an error getting on the overcrowded shuttle buses at Cradle Mountain. But as only one of us has tested positive, I have … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Days 19 and 20 – Burnie and the Devil of a virus

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 18 – Fossils, giant crustaceans and Swifties

October 24, 2024

Wynyard Fossil Bluff. Fossils have been found in the 23 million-year-old sandstone headland. At the base is a softer 1.2 metre thick Freestone Cove sandstone, above which there is 24 metres of Fossil Bluff Sandstone. Capping the sandstone formations is a layer of basalt from the Table Cape volcano flow 13.3 million years ago. Gastropod … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 18 – Fossils, giant crustaceans and Swifties

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 17 – The North-west coast

October 23, 2024

“Buenos días, saludos desde Stanley!“ A receding hare I walked part way up the Nut with an unwell travelling companion remaining at the car. We then took a short drive up a valley to Mawbanna. We must be getting close to the honey farm. This guy is over 20 years old. Blue Hills Honey at … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 17 – The North-west coast

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 16 – Stanley

October 22, 2024

The Nut at Stanley – a 143m high massif thought to be an ancient volcanic plug jutting out into Bass Strait above the historic town of Stanley. Our neighbours An early morning visit to the port area revealed 1000 seagulls and a few other avian friends like these black headed cormorants…. …Gull chicks…. ..and a … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 16 – Stanley

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 15 – The Tarkine (pm)

October 21, 2024

Kanunnah Bridge over the Arthur River, taking its name from the palawa name for ‘Tasmanian Tiger.’ Upstream from the bridge Downstream The forested section of the Tarkine Forest Drive View from Sumac Lookout over the Tarkine rainforest Julius River Forest Reserve has cool temperate rainforest. Tasmanian laurel (Anopterus glandulosus) growing in the stream bed. Filmy … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 15 – The Tarkine (pm)

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 15 – The Tarkine (am)

October 21, 2024

Today we travel into the Tarkine Wilderness. The forest is filled with myrtle beech, celery top pine, blackwood and Huon pine. If Thylacines exist, it is one of the most likely places they will be found. But first the wild western coastal area with jagged rocks, wildflower heaths and the cleanest air in the world. … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 15 – The Tarkine (am)

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 14 – The Penguin coast

October 20, 2024

Welcome to my 300th published blog post. The Vale of Belvoir is a sub-alpine area near Cradle Mountain. The Black Bluff Range looks over the Vale. Wide angle image from Black Bluff Lookout with expansive views over sub-alpine areas to Cradle Mountain. Cradle Mountain from Black Bluff Barn Bluff from Black Bluff – I was … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 14 – The Penguin coast

Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 13 – Cradle Mountain – Dove Lake and Devils

October 19, 2024

Dove Lake Walk is a 6.3km circumference of Dove Lake nestled below the iconic Cradle Mountain. A selection from our walk: Marions Peak A small beach The Dove Lake Devil let us pass in peace. Honeymoon Islands – not likely to be disturbed out there. Ballroom Forest Mount Campbell and Hansons Peak Another beach Waterfall … More Down with the Devils – Tasmania 2024 – Day 13 – Cradle Mountain – Dove Lake and Devils