Tasmanian Wilderness Hiker - Day 5

Wednesday 15 January

The town of Sheffield is dominated by Mt Roland. It looms above the town. According to our trip notes we were to climb to the summit of this mountain today. supposedly, the summit provides spectactular 360 degree views to Bass Strait, Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff.

The forecast temperature was 37+ and our guides decided that it was too much of a risk to tackle such a difficult objective in the anticipated heat. Mt Roland would have to wait for another time.

The guides provided a range of other walks for us to replace the scheduled one. These proved to be great alternatives and very pleasant and pretty walks.

Firstly, we headed for Tulapanga on the Great western Tier to see the Alum Cliffs. This area was used by the local aborignal communities for ceremonial purposes. The women collected ochre which was used to paint their, and the men's, bodies.

Our next stop was in Chudleigh, at least I think it was Chudleigh. This town has made roses its symboland they are planted along its main street. The platings are labeled so that visitors can go away knowing exactly what rose they were looking at.

Trevor and I had a coffee in the local store which seemed to double up as a whole heap of things. The shelves contained quite a variety of items but generally only one or tow of each thing. There were tables and chairs where diners could sit. In winter they would be warmed by the innovative heater: a converted 44 gallon drum.

Along with the roses there was some old farm machinery on display.

While we were not climbing Mt Roland we actually circumnaviagted it. Our next stop was at the Lemonthyme Lodge where we lunched in the Lodge grounds before heading off to see yet more waterfalls.

The first of the falls was Champagne Falls.

The track up to the falls started with quite a steep vechicle track

Trevor besides one of the tinteresting trees that lined the track

Brett, one of our party, contemplating Champagne Falls

Another view of Champgne Falls

Plants in this neck of the woods showed just how tenacious they were. here is a small colony clinging to a rock with roots flapping in the breeze.

Leaving Champagne Falls we tackled the challenging trail to the next falls: Bridal Veil. Fortunately it was only the early part of the track that was challenging.

Once again there was a profusion of plants in bloom.

We were walking beside the Liffey River and it bubbled and gurgled over the rocks which kept us company.

As part of the initiation into manhood, many of the tribes marked the passage of boyhood to manhood by the candidates passing through a split tree. Here is an example of such a tree.

Bridal Falls was a delight.

We were able to climb up and go behind the falls. Here is Trevor behind the waterfall.

There was evidence that this area had been logged in the past. This large stump and the young regrowth clearly demonstrates this.

Arriving back at the very hot bus we were glad of the cool drinks provided by our guides. After the bus cooled a little it was off on the road to complete our circumnavigation of Mt Roland and a return to Sheffield.

Northern Tasmania has a number of places with quirky names. Here is a signpost found outside the Visitors Information Centre in Sheffield with a lovely collection of definitely quirky names:

Trevor and I wandered through Sheffield looking at the murals. It was hot and Trevor opted to return to our motel and have a cool shower while I did the scenic track up behind the town. While a hot walk the views across to Mt Roland was good. For some obscure reason I don't appear to have taken a photo of this mountain. Oops!