CATARACT GORGE & ST.COLUMBA FALLS

The next stop on our circumnavigation of Tasmania was Launceston, where we paid a visit to Cataract Gorge along the South Esk River.

Cataract Gorge

Alexandra Suspension Bridge at First Basin

The chairlift that crosses the gorge has a single-span of 308 metres in its total 457 metre length. A world record apparently!

South Esk River

A couple of ducks were soaking up some late spring sunshine.

Pacific Black Duck/Mallard hybrid

King's Bridge, Launceston (built in 1864) 

A walk along a track through some beautiful cool temperate rainforest at St Columba Falls State Reserve in the Pyengana Valley, led us to the 90 metre high falls. 

St Columba Falls

I squeaked in an inquisitive scrub-wren, that duly scolded us for encroaching on its domain!

Tasmanian Scrub-wren

Some unidentified spring wildflowers we saw along the track close to the waterfall.

Cheers & Happy Birding

NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK, TASMANIA, Part Two (Feathered Creatures)

In this post I have featured some of the bird life we encountered during our four day stay at Narawntapu. 

  

Narawntapu from Archers Knob

Dodging the wombats around the campground were these Native-hens, one of the largest members of the family Rallidae, and also flightless. We saw these quirky birds throughout Tasmania, wherever there was any freshwater wetlands.

Tasmanian Native-hen

On Bakers Beach we came across a small party of Hooded Plovers. Tasmania is probably the best place to see these stunning little shore-birds, where they are still relatively common compared to their mainland counterparts.

Hooded Plover

Silver Gull

On the freshwater lake at Springlawn there were a few distant ducks, but closer to shore a lone grebe popped up for a photo opportunity in between dives.

Hoary-headed Grebe

In the scrub between lake and beach a few bush birds were present, trying their best to be the worst possible photographic subjects. In this they succeeded!

Tasmanian Thornbill

Golden Whistler - female 

On the job!

This great little National Park is a fantastic introduction to Tasmania and its wildlife and a must see for any nature lovers planning a trip to Tassie. Highly recommended!

Bakers Beach

Cheers & Happy Birding

NARAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK, TASMANIA, Part One (Furry Creatures)

Late November 2012 we were on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry along with our car and caravan, bound for the Apple Isle, leaving Melbourne in our wake.

Melbourne skyline

This time of year with the busy tourist season beginning there were two ferries plying the Bass Strait. This was the sister ship that we passed en-route across this much maligned body of water.We had a smooth passage both ways fortunately and enjoyed the experience.

After an overnight stay in Devonport we drove the short distance to Narawntapu National Park where we set up at the main campground, Springlawn. This was our first good look at wombats in our travels. They are normally nocturnal, but here they were out and about in broad daylight, looking like giant, ground hugging, teddy bears.    

Springlawn, fresh water lake

Common Wombat

Some of the other local marsupials were easy enough to observe, although the Forester Kangaroos, a sub-species of  the mainland Eastern Grey, were only seen from a distance. They seemed to be shyer and much fewer in number than their smaller cousins. 

Tasmanian Pademelon

Tasmanian Pademelon

Narawntapu  apparently refers to the Aboriginal name for the coastal features of Badger Head and West Head..

Bakers Beach & Badger Head

Bennetts Wallaby

Bennetts Wallaby & joey

The wombats just went about their daily activities of grazing and pooping, while quite unconcerned by our presence.

Cheers and happy nature watching!