Fiery Bays and Crashing Tasmanian Waterfalls
January 8th 2007 21:22
After a very long drive through the farmlands of northeast Tassie I finally found the Bay of Fires, so named because of the red lichen that grows on the rocks. It is such a peaceful part of the country - I never saw another person or car for the entire time I was there. The water was tourquoise and looked very inviting although the chill in the air told otherwise.
However, I have jumped ahead here. Before getting to the Bay of Fires an interesting sight appeared along the roadside. Up a massive tree trunk, all top branches and layers removed, was a man with a chainsaw, carving figures from the wood, all in commemoration of World War I. It was amazing the detail that he managed.
A few more hours driving through farms and dodging yet more roadkill led to a tattered sign on the roadside. A sign that promised to lead to a waterfall 11km away instead headed up a steep incline to the top of an extremely high mountain. I swear it never looked that high from the turn off! But it was well worth it. The wind was blowing in wispy clouds so it felt like you were down at normal level, until a break in them flashed vistas off far-off fields and tiny country towns.
The waterfall was really amazing, gushing down the mountainside and disappearing into the trees far below. Curiosity led me down a cool forest track, littered with fresh running mountain streams and tangled vines clinging desparately to tall tree trunks. As I neared the bottom of the falls I could hear the water loudly echoing through the leaves and one final turn in the bend led to....
Tired and cold I pulled into Bicheno just as the sun was starting to set. Beautiful, pink stained sky, nice glass of red....what a perfect end to a magical day....
However, I have jumped ahead here. Before getting to the Bay of Fires an interesting sight appeared along the roadside. Up a massive tree trunk, all top branches and layers removed, was a man with a chainsaw, carving figures from the wood, all in commemoration of World War I. It was amazing the detail that he managed.
A few more hours driving through farms and dodging yet more roadkill led to a tattered sign on the roadside. A sign that promised to lead to a waterfall 11km away instead headed up a steep incline to the top of an extremely high mountain. I swear it never looked that high from the turn off! But it was well worth it. The wind was blowing in wispy clouds so it felt like you were down at normal level, until a break in them flashed vistas off far-off fields and tiny country towns.
The waterfall was really amazing, gushing down the mountainside and disappearing into the trees far below. Curiosity led me down a cool forest track, littered with fresh running mountain streams and tangled vines clinging desparately to tall tree trunks. As I neared the bottom of the falls I could hear the water loudly echoing through the leaves and one final turn in the bend led to....
Tired and cold I pulled into Bicheno just as the sun was starting to set. Beautiful, pink stained sky, nice glass of red....what a perfect end to a magical day....
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Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Did you get a chance to go into that waterfall?
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I`d love to go back there in the summer time and see the change - it`s a beautiful island is Tasmania
Didn`t get to go into the waterfall no! Wishful but they were expecting snow that day so it was a little chilly!
Cheers for stopping by
Ash
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
I did a tour of Tasmania for 14 days in 1995. I really loved it, there is some wonderful scenery ,old churches, special villages and tourist areas and farms and ducks and rainforests and fairy waterfalls, rock formations and colours of so many hues, despite the ghostly spirits of the Port Arthur convicts.
I did a lot of photography, the colours were amazing.
I went in summer, don't forget the cray fishing and there are some amazing colur changes in the sky and water come sunset.
I hope you continue to enjoy your journey and get to feed the possums.
I really love Tasmania.
katyzzz
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Glad you liked Tasmania as much as I did. I went at the beginning of winter and even then it was beautiful so summer must be just as so - as you say alive with all the colours.
Port Arthur is eerie isn`t it? I felt on edge from the drive up there and I couldn`t go into the actual site, even looking at it from the car park gave me the shivers. I read about the shootings there - terrible. Beautiful place, but very spooky
Thanks for your comment.
Ash
Comment by AnthonyB
I went to tasmania, but i didn't get half as much out of it.
Great work, I loved the pretty pictures.
- Anthony
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Pity you didn`t get as much enjoyment out of it as I did - very quiet little place that is. Pretty pictures of pretty scenery - ta!
Ash
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Ooh My God, that waterfall ... I would go there just to stand under it!
I've never been to Tasmania and it's one of the places on my list to see one day... ditto on the above, I really enjoyed this post.
Lilla
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Thanks! Yes there are so many wonderful sights in Tasmania - next time I go will be in summer so I can do some swimming. This waterfall was so beautiful, cascading down the rocks. Once you stand at the bottom and look up you can barely see the top from where it comes. I would highly recommend Tassie to anyone who loves the outdoors. I can`t wait to get back to see more of it.
Glad you liked it
Ash