Under Down Under Tour Friday - December 20, 2013

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 20, 2013

BOTTOM LINE:

Day one of the “Under Down Under” tour.

BACK STORY:

With backpacks packed tightly with provisions for five days and our luggage securely stored at the hotel, we were whisked away in a large van filled with 16 smiling strangers…waiting to be our friends…a man from Paris, three from Germany (all traveling alone), an Asian couple who are PhD students at the University of Melbourne (female = electrical engineering, male = cancer tumor research), and the rest are girlfriends from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Packed for tour of Tasmania

Trent is the driver and commentator of our tour through Tasmania. His most recent job had been as a financial planner but wanting to be outside of an office he quit and made a change. He’s fairly low key and seems very concerned about everyone’s comfort and enjoyment. 

 

Our guide and driver, Trent Cowan with Bruce

This tour appeals to the young at heart that have an interest in nature and are in fairly good shape physically. Bruce found the tour before we left California.  We only had one week to spend on the Island of Tasmania and with a diverse geography we thought a tour might get us where we wanted to go.

Our first day took us past some low lands of Derwent Valley where hops and berry plantations were.  It was pointed out that the hops go for the Cascade beer that is brewed on the island.

Hops Plantation for Cascade Beer!

The lengthy ride was broken up a number of times by hikes to some beautiful waterfalls and Lake St. Clair.  All of the sights for the day are part of the World Heritage Tours. To receive a rating for World Heritage, a country or area must be ranked highly on 10 criteria which all has to do with protecting the environment and habitat.

Horseshoe Falls

We first took a good hike through a rain forest to Russell Falls.  The return was a leisurely hike following the river below.

Russell Falls

Lake Sinclair National Park was where we found Lake St. Clair. Lake Sinclair is the deepest lake in Tasmania at 167m. The decking around the visitors center was filled with backpackers gear giving indication of the extensive trail system they have for hikers.  As we walked down to the dock a boat bringing a group of hikers back from a weeks hike was pulling up.  A 70+ woman got off with cheers of congratulations from her hiking mates on her accomplishment.

Lake Sinclair, Tasmania

Moving towards the Franklin River we took another hike through another rainforest…mind you, it was raining on us at that point!  We were told a wonderful story about the “Fight to Save the Franklin River” campaign in 1992.  The local government made plans to build a dam and flood the Franklin River and surrounding area.  Citizens reared up in opposition and ultimately won and prevented the build.  The locals are very proud and protective.

Rainforest growth

Nelsons Falls was the next hike and break from the ride…Another beautiful sight.

We descended down into Queenstown, which had been a booming gold mining town. At one time it was the most wealthy town in Tasmania. Unfortunately the mining techniques used for gold, copper and iron have ruined the area causing landslides and poisoning the drinking water.  Somehow people still elect to live there.

Queenstown, Tasmania

Our ride for the day ended at the town of Strahan where we will spend two nights.  This is our introduction to hostel accommodations.  We upgraded to a private room and were given a little A-frame cabin.  It’s small, clean and is a lot like camping so it suits us well.

Our little hostel bungalow!