Anniversary celebrations & Highland Fishing Lodge

  Miena, Tasmania, Australia
Friday, April 3, 2009

How could we resist the name of Beauty Point? The caravan park had been highly recommended and certainly was in a beautiful location on the west bank of the Tamar river, with huge grassy sites, so we decided to stay for a few days. We toured the area and shopped in Launceston and generally relaxed in the pleasant surroundings.

From there we moved to a town called Hadspen just west of Launceston to be closer to the city for our anniversary celebrations. We took a bus into the city for a dinner cruise on  the Tamar River and into Cataract Gorge.

Tamar Cruise

The company arranged a taxi home so no driving involved. Just as well as there was excellent Tasmanian sparkling wine. It was very professional with  high quality staff and food but a daylight cruise would mean one could see more of the scenery along the river banks. We had forgotten that now it is autumn the days are shorter so we only had an hour or so of light. Nevertheless we both enjoyed the evening and it was a romantic celebration of our 39th wedding anniversary. Wonder where we will be for our 40th?

Roses at Woolmers Estate

The next day, on my birthday, the weather was warm and sunny so we decided to visit Woolmers Estate, a National Heritage listed colonial property near the village of Longford. It really gives one an insight into colonial life as it has been authentically preserved by the six generations of the family who lived and farmed here since 1816 till 1994. It stilll contains an array of personal collections and possessions and rooms left just as they had been years ago. There were toys, gramophones, antiques, furniture, artwork, silverware, golf clubs, croquet sets and even vintage cars. We enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the house and were then free to explore the grounds and outbuildings and gardens. We were told that it is one of the most outstanding examples of 19th century rural and colonial settlements in Australia and it was certaily an interesting visit.

One thing that David found even more interesting was the river that ran through the estate. It was beautiful and had good access for fishing with paths along the banks so we decided to investigate. It turns out that it is the Macquarie River which is renowned for trout fishing . The nearby village has a beautiful caravan park on the grassy banks of the river so not far to go to fish. We will definitely return sometime; yet another addition to the 'to do next time' list.

I sometimes feel as if we are living in  episodes of  'A River Somewhere'; we discover so many beautiful places that we would otherwise have passed by.

David  became a member of the Devonport Fly-fishing Club when he attended the school run by the club in January. One of the benefits of membership is the use, for a small fee, of the club's 'fishing lodge' in Miena in the Central Highlands next to the Great Lake.

Fishing Lodge Miena

We had made a booking for 6 nights and set off to wend our way with the caravan up the hills and round the hairpin bends. We arrived safely and set up the caravan in the grounds of the lodge. We were pleasantly surprised as we had heard mixed reports from 'shack' to 'lodge' and it is definitely closer to the latter. We were the only people in residence and immediately lit the wood-burning stove to heat the place through. Note the huge woodpile outside and there was a woodshed also with even more inside. We slept in the caravan but used the lodge facilities to relax in comfort between fishing expeditions.

Woods Lake

The weather was cold but David was still keen to fish and we drove to see and fish many of the surrounding lakes. Most of the roads were unsealed with some  quite rocky in places and we noticed that we had a slow puncture. We carry 2 spares so swapped one over and still OK with a good spare left.

Great Lake

Tasmania, like many parts of Australia, is suffering drought conditions and this is obvious in the low levels of many of the lakes. This photo of a boat launch site at Arthurs Lake gives one an idea of the effects of the drought on the lakes.

Boat Launch site

It is beautiful countryside and the scenery is quite Alpine in places. One short walk took us through plants and trees which had withstood the Ice Age and have their origins in the southern continent of Gondwana.

Cushion Plant

We saw Pencil Pines which are only found in Tasmania but interestingly are of the same family as the giant Sequoia of California and Cushion plants with tiny leaves suited to surviving icy conditions.

Pencil Pines

While we were there the weather gradually cooled down and the forecast was for snow on our last night. Not wanting to drive, with a caravan, down the steep hills in slippery conditions we decided to leave a day earlier than planned. Our last night the temperature was 1 degree and, yes, it did snow after we left so we were pleased to be back at lower altitudes.

Great Lake Miena

It is not our usual preference to be in cold temperatures but it is worth  it to explore such beautiful places. As David recently suggested, there are really only 2 months in which to see Tasmania and feel warm.....or at least not feel cold.