The Western Tier is a range of mountains that spread east-west across the top of Tassie. We should have given it more time and delved a little deeper but since this was the final leg of our 2-month journey we had begun to think about what would transpire once we were back on the mainland.
The last of our Tassie journey takes us back to the ferry at Devenport.Ranger has a lesser version of a bull bar, called a nudge bar that is meant to protect the vehicle from some damage in the event of an unexpected wildlife crossing in front of us. One way we manage to avoid a collision is by driving only during the day. The roadkill figures must be incredible here…we saw so many carcasses we couldn’t keep count.Tulampanga, or Alum Cliffs, is a place of social and spiritual significance to the Aboriginals because of the ochre found in the stone. Ochre is an important material that is made into paint used by indigenous tribes in the creation of their drawings on cliff faces. The enchanting walk to this Mersey River overlook is another one of the 60 Greatest.Chudleigh is a pretty little village known for its rose bushes that border the road the length of the road through town.Westbury is a historic Georgian town with a flair for collections, like steam engines, vintage cars, antiques and toys.The Meander River does just that through Deloraine and is home to a population of platypus that are visibly active at twilight (but too dark for photographs). We were camped on the river here for nearly a week and it made a great spot from which to explore the Western Tier region.The beloved-by-many Quamby Corner CP is located in a pristine little valley but lacked what we now have come to require for a longer stay: Internet/phone service, credit card payments, TV reception and a dump point. We are toooo spoiled! The spotted-tail quoll and kookaburra are iconic in these parts. We never saw the quoll but it’s one of the largest carniverous marsupials at 4 feet long and nearly 10 lbs. The bird is my favourite (mostly for its “laughing” song), though it does tend to snatch food if you don’t protect it, even as you bring it to your mouth. They are especially found of sausage sandwiches.Liffey Falls is a series of cascades accessible from a path following its entire drop. Clear water, wade-able pools, layered cliffs and meandering water made this one of my favourite spots. Naturally it’s on the Walks list.Great Lake is the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Tasmania at 176 sq kilometres (68 sq miles). With an elevation of 1,000 metres parts of it freeze in the winter.
Once a centre for industry, Sheffield has reinvented itself as an arts community. The famous Sheffield murals trace the history of the area with pictorial representations of characters and stories of the past. Mural Park is home to the annual Mural Fest painting competition, with nine artists participating in a paint-off over 6 days. With more than 140 murals, Sheffield is virtually an outdoor art gallery.
Casual drives throughout the Sheffield area will reward with a host of quirky named towns, each with a unique personality.Every town has a Chinese restaurant and this is Sheffield’s finest, or so they say. It’s also their only.One of our favorite Sheffield murals.
Description of the critters depicted in the previous mural.Leven Canyon is Tassie’s deepest limestone gulch at 250-metres with challenging hiking terrain (including a 697-step staircase) and Grade 4 whitewater rapids for kayakers. There are a few falls, one a 10-metre clear drop.This trail along Leven Canyon was so damp, steep and narrow we decided to turn back after 15 hairy minutes.Leven Canyon view from Cruikshank Lookout.The fiddlehead fern before it looks like the greenery surrounding it. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze.Garden of toilets…oy vey…such kitsch!Peaceful stretch at the top of Table Cape at Wynyard.A path along the Inglis River ended at a fish n chip shop where we had our last dinner in the Great State of Tasmania.We cross paths with the twin sister of our ferry as we head back to Melbourne.Map of Tasmania indicates the topography we encountered.
13 thoughts on “Glorious Tasmania: Great Western Tier”
Congratulations. You have made it. Fantastic journey,
superb reports, gorgeous photos, brilliant layout.
We admire you. Thank you so much for letting us take part in your travel adventures.
What’s next?
I half expected to hear that the locals to call them “platies”. From Wiki:
There is no universally agreed plural of “platypus” in the English language. Scientists generally use “platypuses” or simply “platypus”. Colloquially, the term “platypi” is also used for the plural, although this is technically incorrect and a form of pseudo-Latin;[8] the correct Greek plural would be “platypodes”.
Beautiful country, Mary. Thanks for sharing with us. My brother and sister-in-law just bought an RV with plans to travel. I’ll have to tell them about Tasmania, though it would be quite a voyage from California!
I’m sad to see and read the end of your journey through Tassie. It has been a wonderland for Don and me, to visit through your keen and loving eyes! Wow, what did I appreciate most in this chapter of your adventures? Hmmmm, let’s see: The spectacular Tulampanga walk to the Mersey River overlook … your description of the kookaburra’s fondness for sausages … the breathtaking Liffey Falls trail … the Sheffield mural of the two “sisters.” And of course, the garden of toilets, which indeed looked like a Royal Flush. Thanks, as always!
It certainly does look like a great state to visit. You have captured and shared so many awesome pictures. Thank you so much for sharing your travels! Glad you’ve made it safely home. I’ll be waiting for the epilogue.
13 thoughts on “Glorious Tasmania: Great Western Tier”
Congratulations. You have made it. Fantastic journey,
superb reports, gorgeous photos, brilliant layout.
We admire you. Thank you so much for letting us take part in your travel adventures.
What’s next?
Wow! You made it. Loved the notes on your travels. Glad you are back safe in Melbourne.
Carol
MnJ,
Awesome as usual! I especially like the streams/waterfalls, wildlife mural, and fiddle head fern photos!
XXOO
MnR
Beautiful photos Mary. Sad there will be no more Tassie travelogue to whet our appetites but look forward to your next nomadic adventures.
I half expected to hear that the locals to call them “platies”. From Wiki:
There is no universally agreed plural of “platypus” in the English language. Scientists generally use “platypuses” or simply “platypus”. Colloquially, the term “platypi” is also used for the plural, although this is technically incorrect and a form of pseudo-Latin;[8] the correct Greek plural would be “platypodes”.
Beautiful country, Mary. Thanks for sharing with us. My brother and sister-in-law just bought an RV with plans to travel. I’ll have to tell them about Tasmania, though it would be quite a voyage from California!
yes, thanks Mary…I can only agree with all the others.
You have taken us all on a wonderful journey through an incredible island. xxx
As always, very fascinating and gorgeous pictures.
A pleasure reading your adventures.
M
I’m sad to see and read the end of your journey through Tassie. It has been a wonderland for Don and me, to visit through your keen and loving eyes! Wow, what did I appreciate most in this chapter of your adventures? Hmmmm, let’s see: The spectacular Tulampanga walk to the Mersey River overlook … your description of the kookaburra’s fondness for sausages … the breathtaking Liffey Falls trail … the Sheffield mural of the two “sisters.” And of course, the garden of toilets, which indeed looked like a Royal Flush. Thanks, as always!
It certainly does look like a great state to visit. You have captured and shared so many awesome pictures. Thank you so much for sharing your travels! Glad you’ve made it safely home. I’ll be waiting for the epilogue.
Mary, so inspiring with the wonderful photos and great information. Thank you for sharing it with us.
thanks Mary, so interesting and such beautiful photos.
where to next?
looking forward to the next episode!
What a wonderful journey you have shared with us Joe and Mary..Thanks
Peter & Clare