42° South, 147° East

Big Bend-Short Walk

The Collater — Sat, 07 May 2011 04:39:00 GMT

Big Bend is near the top of Mt Wellington just to the west of Hobart. Looking at the Mountain from Hobart there's an impressive group of vertical hexagonal stone formations called the Organ Pipes, to the right or North of this group is a smaller set. This set is known as the Lost World. Very large hexagonal rock columns have fallen over virtually intact forming a labyrinth of crevices, cracks and caves.

These pics are from the western side of that area, looking away from Hobart. Only a 30 minute drive from Hobart and you are in very real wilderness.

These pic were taken on the baby Sony.

Scree slopes and some hexagonal outcrops at the top.

View towards the N-W.

Rough hut if you're brave enough to overnight.

North-West Tasmania: Tarkine Trip 2

The Collater — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:58:00 GMT

Mt Cameron West.

To the north.

When we were leaving.

North-West Tasmania: Tarkine Trip 3

The Collater — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:57:00 GMT

Utricularia dichotoma: Lovely insectivorous orchid with subterranean bladders to trap and eat insect larvae.

North-West Tasmania: Tarkine Trip 4

The Collater — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:47:00 GMT

Trowetta Arch: Two sink holes collapsed leaving this excellent arch. Like many interesting spots in Tasmania unless you have local knowledge you won't find it. OHS rules are forcing the "forgetting" of great locations because they don''t have safety rails and wooden steps.

North-West Tasmania: Tarkine Trip 1

The Collater — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:16:00 GMT

This fish trap is located on the north coast of Tasmania, we can't tell if it pre-dates European settlement or not.

Local Wildlife-South Hobart

The Collater — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:15:00 GMT

Rosella parrots are common around Tasmania. In past days boys would use slingshots to keep them out of their parents fruit trees. Alledgedly they taste real good, and you can still buy Rosella brand Tomato Sauce (Ketchup).

Here's the sauce.

This wallaby was under our rose bush eating some of the celery left out for our last free-range guinea pig.

Huonville Show-Ranelagh Nov 2010

The Collater — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 06:11:00 GMT

The Huonville Agricultural Show. A nice enough day but a bit overcast.

Hobart City Graffiti 5

The Collater — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 01:41:00 GMT

Risdon Road

She Oak Road: Huon River ride

The Collater — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:17:00 GMT

Along the western, gated end of She Oak Road through to Frying Pan Creek. She Oak Rd is part of the Tasmania Trail which starts in the north of the island and finishes at the southern end. You can walk, ride a bike or ride a horse on this trail.

The brown colouring of the Huon River (and many others in Tasmania too) is from Tea Trees.

Home

The Collater — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:33:00 GMT

Bright yellow wattles and snow

Mineral Springs Victoria Recce: Kyneton

The Collater — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:11:00 GMT

Kyneton mineral springs had a commercial bottling factory near this location. It only lasted for 4 or so years. Real mineral water is strongly flavoured, not like the weak stuff you can buy in the shops.

Spring rotunda.

Spring hand pump.

Unfortunately this shop was shut (it's not in Kyneton either)

Mineral Springs Victoria Recce: Castlemaine area

The Collater — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:01:00 GMT

Old chimney used in ore extraction.

Fungi

Small orchid

Mineral Springs Victoria Recce: Daylesford

The Collater — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:38:00 GMT

Old house with what appear to be steps leading to a below ground spa.

Close-up of steps.

Gnomes!

Southport Mini-Break: Leprena Track and Southport Lagoon Track

The Collater — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:01:00 GMT

A mini-break way down south. The Leprena Track doesn't see much traffic nowadays.

Puddle on the Leprena track

Pushing bike around a puddle

Bigger puddles had a bypass track

The new Southport Lagoon track is routed along a series of small hills to avoid the damage done to the lower wetter areas.

These Black Cockatoos were spread around the area but all flew to this tree when we arrived.

The "dry" lagoon track

North East Tasmania Trip '09

The Collater — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:29:00 GMT

Imperial Hotel, Branxholm

Branxholm Briseis Walking Track
This newly developed track is along part of the 48Km water race from Ringarooma to Derby to the Briseis Tin Mine (hydraulic sluicing). The race construction commenced in January 1901 and was completed by March 31st 1902. It was constructed to convey water at a precise gradient of 4 feet per mile (1:1320). Three gangs of men, with approximately one hundred in each, simultaneously constructed each section over 15 months until they met. It took three weeks for the first release of water to travel the race and reach the mine at a rate of 24 million gallons daily.

This picture shows the channel the race was in. The race was constructed of wooden bottom and sides with a lighter timber roof. In cross section it was roughly square.

In order to meet the correct gradient, trestle raised sections were required in various location.

In the nearby town of Derby this tunnel was constructed in the late 1800's when three mining companies disagreed about disposal of mine tailings. One company drilled this tunnel under the other leases to wash tailings into the Cascade River. It took three years to drill.

Spider guarding it's eggs. Hard to get an idea of scale, but the egg sac is about 3/4 inch across.

Further to the east in the Blue Tiers vegetation has grown back after this area was extensively mined. This is the remains of a steam-powered stamper. It was originally housed in a large two-story building.

Wildlife: Some miscellaneous pictures

The Collater — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:49:00 GMT

Some wildlife pics from a while ago. Lizard pics with an older, not so good camera.

Echidna living half-way up Mt Wellington at 750m ASL.

Wallabies take turns in crossing roads.

Emu in Melbourne Zoo

Myrtle Park: Short Walk

The Collater — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 03:37:00 GMT

About 25 minutes from Hobart CBD.

Mould fruiting bodies

Little Desert Winter Break- Water Pump

The Collater — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:39:00 GMT

Little Desert Winter Break- Nhill Retail Facades

The Collater — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:24:00 GMT

Little Desert Winter Break- Camping

The Collater — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:45:00 GMT