Tag Archives: bushwalking

Whyte River Walk

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Making the most of our time at Corinna, we embarked on another walking adventure into the Tarkine. Conveniently, the start of the 3.5 kilometre trail was right next to our cottage and, although initially a comfortable tramp along a boardwalk, the track soon required careful footwork around erupting tree roots.

Surrounded by dense forest, the track became easier.

Burrowing crayfish chimneys heralded the shallow waters of a tannin stained stream.

More treacherous tree roots threatened the integrity of our ankles

as our attention was captured by masses of mosses, lichens and fungi.

The vegetation started to change

and we soon had a glimpse of the Whyte River.

Curtains of mossy vines hung from branches

as we approached the confluence of the Whyte and Pieman Rivers.

The track then followed the Pieman

past forest giants, wildflowers and more spectacular fungi.

Huon pines dipped their unruly foliage into the water

as we returned to the Corinna tavern to relax with a beverage.

Old Telegraph Hill

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There are a few ways to experience the Tarkine Wilderness while staying at Corinna and the Old Telegraph Hill walk is one of them. The beginning of the 1.5 kilometre walk is easy going along a boardwalk through typical Tasmanian rainforest. Towering trees shelter luscious lichens and tannin stained streams.

Fifty metres along, the walkway ends and the trail becomes a little less obvious.

The old cable line reassured us we were on the right track.

Someone has thoughtfully fashioned a stile of sorts to help negotiate the huge body of a fallen hero.

We continued to climb, surrounded by ancient myrtles and leatherwoods

playing host to myriad fungi and lichen.

With feet slipping at all angles along the twisted track

we came across a series of dangling cables and a lone telegraph pole.

The step ladder and aerial confirmed our suspicion that this was our destination.

We had read that there was a chance of getting a signal at this point, although it was hit and miss. With some minor acrobatics we were rewarded.

We had a poke around and found some remnants of long abandoned equipment

before retracing our steps and following the cable downhill.

Toward the end of the boardwalk section, we noticed evidence of burrowing freshwater crayfish. They live in tunnel systems in muddy banks and seepages, rarely venturing out and they construct ‘chimneys’ made from balls of mud at the entrance to their burrows.

Time to warm up with a beverage by the fire.

Philosopher Falls Walk

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Having read some horror reviews of the condition of the road from Waratah to Corinna, we had no idea how long the drive would take, especially as some roads were still closed following heavy spring rains. We deliberated a diversion to explore Philosopher Falls, named after explorer James ‘Philosopher’ Smith who discovered the waterfall in 1871. Setting ourselves a time limit, we ventured along the trail

and were soon embraced by towering myrtles and sassafras trees.

Verdant ferns and mosses carpeted the ground beneath the canopy.

Suddenly, the thick forest transformed and an area of tall, spindly trees flanked the path.

As the canopy closed in again,

we were entranced by vibrant fungi, coloured courtesy of nature’s palette.

We came to a footbridge spanning a flowing creek, a tributary to the Arthur River, and made the decision to turn back.

Had we continued, we would have walked the track that follows an old water race built to supply Magnet Mine in the early 1900s. Eventually, a 210-step staircase leads to a view from the bottom of the multi-tiered waterfall. We will have to return one day when we have no time constraints.

Enchanted Walk

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There are many wondrous walks to choose from in Cradle Mountain National Park but my favourite is Enchanted Walk. Just over one kilometre long, the circuit takes around twenty minutes, depending on how much time one spends admiring the scenery. The trail starts at Cradle Mountain Lodge and follows Pencil Pine Creek as it bubbles along, embraced by mossy banks and majestic trees of the rainforest. On this morning the sunlight danced on the water, highlighting natures artistry.

Tannins from surrounding buttongrass moorland created a startling palette of orange hues amidst the shadows.

As we meandered further into the forest, verdant lichens complemented the russet glow.

At the end of the walk, the creek tumbles over rocks at Pencil Pine Cascades on its way to Pencil Pine Falls and, eventually, on a convoluted journey into the Forth River and Bass Strait.

Florence Falls

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We had worked up an appetite with our morning explorations of Litchfield Park and found a secluded spot for a picnic lunch alongside Florence Creek.

The spring fed watercourse bubbles along, tumbling over a series of cascades until it reaches the escarpment at Florence Falls.

A stunning panorama from the viewing platform takes in the lush monsoon forest surrounding the falls.

The multi-tiered falls drop around 40 metres in total while the main cascade is around 20 metres.

There are 160 steps to the swimming hole at the base of the falls. Tempting though it was to cool off in the pristine water, the return climb would have been a step too far.