Mt Field and Gordon Dam

Very poor internet in Maydena last night so this is the catch up.

Woke to bright sunshine this morning and because we had a long day ahead we lit the fire, had breakfast, packed the car and was on the road by about 8.30.  First stop was New Norfolk to buy some bread for our gourmet dinner tonight (ham, cheese, tomato toasty) and grab a coffee before we wandered into the wilderness.  New Norfolk is a nice little town established in 1807 and looks like a huge paper mill is the heart of the towns employment.  The towns cafe makes a very good coffee and tasty sausage rolls.

Onwards to Mt Field National Park and a couple of short walks. First a 15 minute walk to Russell Falls and after all the rain over the last couple of weeks the falls were at their best.  We walked along a creek hoping to spot a platypus but looks like they may have gone north for the winter.  I’m sure the sun never gets to ground level as the fungi and moss all over downed timber and trees is so healthy.   I've never seen tree ferns as big as they grow here.

Back to the visitors centre, drive up the road to the Tall Timbers walk and you wouldn’t believe it but there were lots of tall trees on the walk, one measured at 77.17 metres.  Looking at the sign detailing these allegations seems to be about 20 years old so I’m guessing the tree is actually about 85 metres so I wish they’d update their signage so I can give you more accurate information.  I’ll be writing emails to Tasmania National Parks in an effort to motivate their staff!!

After we sorted out the Tasmania National Parks Service we started the hour and a half trip to Gordon Dam to inspect the Tasmanian Water Commission maintenance program.  They seem to be doing a good job, the dam wall is so tall and I couldn’t spot any leaks at all.  I did walk down the 2000 stairs to the dam wall.  Pam says it’s only 200 stairs but she didn’t do it so I’m not sure I credit her with any accuracy in this matter.

The drive out though was so interesting, started out in tall tree rainforest, going into rocky mountainous alps and low growing temperate marsh land.  There was no more than a 400 metres stretch of straight road in the 1.5hrs, I should have counted the corners but I’m sure that sort of information would be of no interest to you at all??  I can sure understand the campaigns motivation to lock these areas into a World Heritage Area all those years ago.

Arrived at Maydena at about 5pm after another very long day, looks like a two beer/one red wine evening and into bed before 8am.

Photos from the front yard of our house

Our next B&B??

Walking to Russell Falls

The Russell Falls

Creepy moss hanging off the trees

Some of the tall trees

Tall trees and a block head

Gordon Dam

Noelene living dangerously

Long way down

Vernon on the way down

Those stairs were locked

Looks like a zip line - no thanks!!

Someone made a late appearance....