The Apple Isle Revisited

So let's get this Adventure underway - fun, fun, fun

Following on from the first of our 2014 adventures to the local National Parks, Mackay, and Nairana NP, we have returned to a small piece of paradise in the Apple Isle - Greenslade.  We enjoyed our time here so much in the Winter of 2013 that we agreed to return one more time to house-sit and Billy-sit here in Gordon.

Our little companion - Billy-the-Kid

For those not familiar with the Australian State of Tasmania, Gordon is located about 50 minutes drive south of the State capital, Hobart, on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. 

Garden ornament in morning sun

Silver-eye in fig tree

This beautiful home looks out across the Channel to Bruny Island, and is surrounded by five acres of magnificent gardens that are included in the Australian Open Gardens event held annually in January/February around the country. You may have already seen some early morning images of the garden posted on my FB page, and there will no doubt be more images before we leave in August as the garden takes on its Spring colours. There are also more images in our blog entries from 2013.  Take some time to look at them and you will understand why we chose to return here in the midst of Winter.

We arrived on Wednesday, 18th June and we will have the pleasure of discovering more of this beautiful part of Australia for the next seven weeks - which no doubt will just fly by. We have a number of "short adventures" planned and hope you will enjoy the journey with us.

Friday, 19th June.  Although this is our third visit to the Apple Isle (the first in 2008 for 9 weeks; the second in 2013 for 8 weeks), there are still areas we have yet to visit.  

On our previous visits to this area we had spent time discovering the beauty of the Arve River and forest and last year visited the Hartz mountain area - in the snow! No snow this year - yet - just beautiful sunny, wind-free days. On those visits we had discounted the Tahune AirWalk as too costly for us, so this time we made a visit to the Tahune Forest Reserve and AirWalk our first little 'adventure'. What an amazing day out it was. 

Mid-station Tahune airwalk

Not quite at the end yet.

Huon river from the AirWalk

Entry to the AirWalk is a little expensive ($52 for 2 adults) but so worth the experience.  As well as the AirWalk there are also a number of interesting walking tracks, including the one track that crosses both the Huon and Picton Rivers via two swing bridges. The tracks are reasonably gentle walking, but I have to say that after four (4) hours walking, I felt like I had been given a good workout!

A long walk

Finally there - what a view -

The AirWalk was quite amazing the way it gently rose to a final height above the river of 48metres. The last span was interesting as you could actually see it moving from side to side - but what a view it presented over the forest and out to the Hartz mountain range.

And this is the view from below - Whoa!

Coming down from the giddying heights of the AirWalk we took a leisurely stroll through the forest along a gentle track down to the Huon river - an alternative way to return to the car and visitor centre.  Known as the Swinging Bridges track it leads, obviously, to the two swing bridges that cross the Huon and Picton rivers, which become one river at this point.  I have to admit despite starting off across the first bridge confidently, but a little tentatively, I started to panic before the end and was very glad to be on firm ground, despite the swinging sensation that my body experienced.

A leisurely stroll to the car

A glow-worm cave or a Pixie house?

swing bridge over the Huon

Swing low Sweet Chariot.....

Beautiful Tasmanian timber

 Although this is a logging area in Tasmania, it has been well cared for by the Tasmanian Forestry with no visible sign of logging activity even from the AirWalk. 

There is so much beauty all around and this 'little adventure' was a lovely way to begin our return visit to the Apple Isle.