Day 15 - More of the Tarkine

We have come to accept and manage the threat of rain and wind so, unfazed, undaunted and unperturbed by a bad weather report for today, we headed off to take in more of the Tarkine.  We took in an area east of where we were yesterday, so there were no waves or surf today.  

Instead, after passing through the coastal dairy farmland with the customary huge dairy herds, we drove through pristine forests and heathlands and, on the way, crossed over the Arthur River several times.  

Some of the views are spectacular but the rain closed us out at the Sumac Lookout, so we have included a web photograph of the view, obviously taken on a fine day.  Our photograph is included so our view of the haze is on record.

110315 Arthur River from Sumac Lookout - in the rain.
We waited but it never cleared

110315 Arthur River from Sumac Lookout
photo from the web

Sink holes - the one we saw was Lake Chisholm.  They are caused by water dissolving the dolomite rock as it makes its way through to the underground water system.  Over time, organic matter blocks the water's passage and the depression fills with water, leaving a lake in the middle of the forest, often providing beautiful reflections

110315 Lake Chisholm

110315 Lake Chisholm

110315 Lake Chisholm

110315 Lake Chisholm

The walk into Lake Chisholm was beautiful.  Ferns crossed the pathway to add another dimension.

110315 The walk into Lake Chisholm

110315 The walk into Lake Chisholm

Every now and again one comes across small depressions in the forest.  These fill with water and leave a most delightful "mini" lake.  We passed one right at the roadside.

110315 A wee pond on the side of the road

Beehives - these are spread throughout the forests in collections of say 20 hives in cleared areas on the roadside.  There were plenty of bees present around the hives.

110315 Beehives - There are many sites like this in the forests

The Arthur River dominates the area and it is spectacular when viewed from lookouts or from the several bridges we crossed.  It was flowing rapidly.  The water is a dark tea colour.

110315 Arthur River upstream from Tayetea Bridge

110315 Arthur River downstream from Tayetea Bridge

110315 Arthur River upstream from an unnamed bridge

110315 Arthur River downstream from an unnamed bridge 

110315 Kanunnah Bridge over the Arthur River

Atop the ranges, the forests give way, at times, to plains covered in low growing heath, with grasses in the more swampy areas.

110315 Heath land in Milkshakes Hills Forestry Reserve

110315 Norfolk Range and Dempster Plains (buttongrass moorlands)
from Dempster Plains Lookout

Some of the trees are huge as are the tree ferns in the understory.

110315 Rainforest on road to Milkshakes Hills Forest Reserve

110315 Rainforest on the road to Milkshakes Hills Forest Reserve

The roads were excellent, some of them having been only recently bituminised.  Even the gravel ones were good.  There was no dust, given there have been occasional showers in the area.  Nonetheless the car is filthy.

Occasionally there are sights that might provide some concern but they are few and far between.  Maybe the one below was of trees naturally falling in the forest and being recovered subsequently.

110315 Firewood anyone? - near Irishtown

The area was not signposted well at times.

110315 Not going to Wedge Plain via that route.
There was a road - once

It has been a pleasure seeing these unspoiled forests.  The Tasmanians are doing their utmost to preserve them, yet provide access for we tourists, so they can be marvelled at and enjoyed.