New Norfolk, Tasmania

Yesterday we made the nail biting journey along the A10 highway (??) from Strahan to New Norfolk via Queenstown.  I can tell you now that just because it has an A in front of it does not necessarily mean that it is a "good" highway.  It is very narrow in places and on one bend we were only inches away from rubbing the van along the side of the cliff face as we came around a tight corner.  We reached a height of almost 900 metres above sea level and of course when you go up, you must come down.  I am so grateful that my husband is an expert driver and uses the gears in our automatic car to help with the braking as we go down extremely steep mountains. Even so, when we stop for our lunch break the pads on the van still feel warm.  The journey is just 266kms but took us six hours.  The views though are absolutely incredible.  From the stark barren mountains around Queenstown, that are still being mined, to magnificent lakes, to fields of wildflowers and all the while the blue of the ever present mountains.

When we reached Derwent Bridge, and the turnoff to Lake St. Clair we were remembering our time here with friends for Christmas 2021.  It was such a lovely place and one that we won't be visiting on this trip regrettably.  However we do stop at the Hungry Wombat for a lunch break of pies and coffee. 

It was a relief to finally arrive into New Norfolk, let me tell you.  It really was a difficult drive.  We unhitched the van, had a bit of a snack and then rested for an hour or so.  But by 4 we were both looking to stretch out the legs so we decided to do the clifftop walk that begins just behind our caravan park that is right on the Derwent River.  So typical of us, we thought we would just walk a couple of k's and ended up walking almost 6!  It didn't help to get a little lost along the way and my phone to run out of battery!  However, after many steps and hill climbs we finally made it back to the van.  At one stage we found ourselves across the road from the oldest continuously licensed hotel in Australia (1815!).....

New Norfolk is going to be our home for four nights and the things we have planned are:

• Mount Field National Park
• Hobart (Hop on Hop Off)
• Discovering New Norfolk area

It rained a little last night but looking at the weather app it was to be clear skies for the remainder of the day so we decided to drive to the Mount Field National Park (around 40k).  We have been here before, briefly, on the bus tour we did in 2011.  Back then we walked into the well known and beautiful Russell Falls that is just a five minute walk.  Today we decided to do the three waterfalls that is just over 7k walk.  

The drive to Mount Field is beautiful and we pass through the little townships of Bushy Park, Karanja & Westerway.  This is hop growing country and we are enthralled by the high trellises that hold these climbing plants.  It is the flower on the hop vine that holds tiny pods of Lupulin that are used in beer making.

 Once we arrive at Mount Field National Park we are pleased that there are hardly any other cars in the carpark so we may just have the track to ourselves, for at least part of our hike.  It is a a steep walk up a hill at the start our hike. but after that, it is very gentle and quite easy.  The hike is absolutely picture perfect at every turn along the path.  The trees so so high into the sky that by the end of the hike both Philip and I have kinks in our neck from looking up.  

The first falls we come to are Lady Barron Falls.  There is not a lot of water flowing over this particular small waterfall so we only stay long enough for a quick photo....

As we walk deeper into the rainforest we walk down a long staircase (200+ stairs) that takes us into picture perfect places.  That worries me somewhat because if you walk down, surely you must, somewhere walk back up. Thankfully the rest of the uphill is very gradual. This place really reminds us of Mount Lewis at Julatten!

The next waterfall we arrive at are Horseshoe Falls.  They are well named as they are indeed in the shape of a Horseshoe.  It was worth the hike to get to these lovely falls with tree ferns lining the walls of the falls and moss covered rocks laying lazily at the base.  So lovely....

It is just a five minute walk to Russell Falls from Horseshoe Falls, and they are deserverdly the highlight of the Mount Field National Park.  There are many people here, jostling for photographs, as the falls are only a five minute walk from the Visitors Centre.  Most people come to Mount Field just for the opportunity to view these absolutely incredible falls that tumble almost 60 metres over two drops.  They flow almost year round.

After the walk we purchased cups of steaming hot black tea and found a picnic table outside the Visitor Information area to set up our picnic lunch that we had packed for just this occasion.  It's a funny thing that while you are walking there are no aches or pains but once you stop you start feeling them!  We are both feeling a little weary tonight so will have an early night and we will probably drive to Hobart (around 40k) tomorrow, depending on the weather.  Till then.....