7 February 2014
The start of the Huon Pine Walk
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Up early again at 6.30am for a quick shower, then all dressed and ready to go. Decided to have breakfast again at Salamanca Place, this time at Quarry Salamanca (Bircher muesli/poached eggs on toast) – remembered to take a photo of the food this time! A quick drive to the waterfront to book our cruise to MONA on 23 February when we return to Hobart after circumnavigating the very beautiful island of Tasmania.
We are heading south again, it’s about a 90 minute drive to Tahune Air Walk. Stopped at Geeveston where we purchased the tickets for the Air Walk and had some time to investigate the Information Centre and the town. Geeveston, a timber town, has fabulous hand crafted wood statues of Geeveston’s favourite sons and daughters. I had to take some photos, but only had the chance to photograph some, as we were anxious to reach our destination (took a few more on our way back). The image to the right is Jim Wotherspoon who had been a local policeman.
It was an unexpectedly good road into the Air Walk, decided to first do the Air Walk (about an hour), then the Huon Pine Walk (about 20 minutes). There is also a Swinging Bridge which looked fun, but that would have taken another hour.
It is several steps up to the Air Walk, but well worth it when you make it – hundreds of metres above the ground, you are virtually walking in the treetops, looking down on the vegetation and the Huon River, and the place where the Picton River joins the Huon. The many trees include the leatherwood, stringy bark, horizontal tree, acacia, huon pine, blackwood, celery top and ferns in the rainforest areas.
After the Air Walk we returned to the café for a short rest and some lunch (Salad/toasted tomato sandwich) and enjoying the cool fans in the café. It is quite hot today, temperature up to 27 degrees.
Next we attempted the shorter Huon Pine walk that starts and ends at the park across the bridge entering the walking trails, and meanders along the side of the Huon River. The image at left is Pete comparing the size of a giant Stringy Bark. It was such a casual and uplifting walk, so peaceful listening to the rapids running over the river stones, and enjoying the scents and sounds of the rainforest.
The drive back to Hobart seemed to pass quickly, and we had to organise a load of clothes washing and drying, nice to have some fresh clothes!
That evening we walked in to Salamanca Square for a delicious dinner at Mezethes Greek Taverna (char-grilled lamb backstraps/grilled lamb chops) and sweet Greek desserts. The restaurants around this district always seem to be full and noisy and create a great atmosphere along the waterfront.
Sad to be packing and leaving Hobart, which we loved, but ready and excited for tomorrow and our trip west to explore Strahan and the West Coast – looking forward to it, especially as the weather forecast is for more warm weather.
Up in the treetops on the Tahune Air Walk
Entry to the Air Walk
