Old Telegraph Hill

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

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.

Mountain Valley

Mountain Valley is a secluded retreat in the Loongana Valley, we first discovered while on holiday here.

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50km inland from the coast of northwest Tasmania, this 61 hectare Private Nature Reserve nestles beneath the majestic Black Bluff.

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There are six eco-cabins to choose from, our favourite is Blue Wren.

The Leven River flows through the property

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and many an hour has been spent idly waiting to spy the elusive platypus.

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Across the bridge,

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the path follows the river. Trout can be seen jumping in the shallows

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and the native hens appear when you least expect them.

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The path becomes narrow and we still search for that perplexing platypus.

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Native creatures abound in this sanctuary – wallabies, possums, quolls, birds and of course, our gorgeous pademelons.

We watched Tasmanian Devils and quolls eating their evening meal on the verandah. Our host placed tasty morsels for them at dusk and they slowly came after dark as Michael sat motionless among them while I opted to watch through the window.

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The guided walk to the glow worm grotto took us through serene grassland,

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and we learned the beautiful foxglove is regarded as an environmental weed in Tasmania.

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There are many walks to take through fern glades

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and rainforest

to discover hidden caves.

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There is much more to explore at Mountain Valley, it is a wonderful experience and for those who are feeling energetic, there is the walk to the top of Black Bluff.

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I am looking forward to our next visit. http://mountainvalley.com.au

auspicious autumn

Autumn is a busy time in the garden, with two truckloads of mulch to spread

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and firewood to get in for the winter. We don’t cut down trees in our forest but sometimes nature helps out.

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It’s hard work – he cuts,

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I stack

then Betsy helps us take it up the hill.

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I find some fascinating features in the forest

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trees that appear to have died have not.

We split

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and stack the wood ready for our winter warmth.

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The garden still has some colour

and the bees love the callistemon.

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Five years ago I made a bench from the branches of our pruned fruit trees.

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Sadly, it has succumbed to the elements.

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Maybe another project…..

Territory Wildlife Park

On a perfect winters day in Darwin, we set off to discover Territory Wildlife Park, situated about 60km south on 400 hectares of natural bushland. We spent a few hours wandering through woodland, wetland and monsoon habitats.

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Along the Monsoon Vine Forest Walk is one of the largest domed walk-through aviaries in the southern hemisphere.

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Birds weren’t the only creatures in the aviary.

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The surroundings were stunning

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with the occasional surprise at ground level.

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Some of the trees had created fascinating designs of their own.

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The Park is well set out with a shuttle train continuously travelling the 4km loop, a welcome service as the temperature rises. Each exhibit entrance is adorned with cute critters and clever decorations.

The display of free-flying birds at the Flight Deck was amazing.

The eagle trying to break open an emu egg with a rock showed the innate behaviour is still strong in these birds in captivity.

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Neil, the bush stone-curlew stole the show.

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Just when you think you’ve seen everything there is something new to surprise.

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