Monday 29th April 2019
Today we decided on a new plan of attack. We both woke early so headed out to walk to The Nut at 7.30am. It was a very steep 430m ascent followed by a 2km circuit of the top. The views were spectacular and the walk at the top very pleasant. The ascent was tough but ok. There was a chairlift option that I assume opens a bit later. It’s slogan is “Why walk if you can ride”. Reason I would reply “$11 an adult each way is quite expensive for a very short ride”, unless you are unable to walk I would suggest saving your money the walk up was ok.
We then walked around town and saw the old style buildings. Then headed after breakfast to Highfield Historic House. After exploring the house and it’s surrounding buildings we headed off to Smithton. Then on to Green Point Beach, Nettley Bay and finally arriving at Arthur River for the night. We drove through amazing green pastures, cattle and sheep country, to some lovely beaches albeit a bit windy today. The weather started out beautiful for our walk to The Nut but then resumed its on again, off again rain and wind. We are still having a great time. Unfortunately the Dismal Swamp Adventure with 100m slippery dip to a sinkhole was closed so we didn’t have that decision to make today. Staying back in the tent again now but we are just trying to find campgrounds with a camp kitchen so we can cook inside.
Tomorrow’s adventure is still undecided but only time will reveal this one.
Highfield House can be regarded as the ‘birthplace’ of European settlement in Tasmania’s north-west. Built from 1832-35 as a residence for Edward Curr, chief agent of the Van Diemen’s Land Company, the house represents an important part of Tasmanian historic heritage. The history of the north-west region of Tasmania is inextricably bound up with the story of the Van Diemen’s Land Company; indeed, there are very few places in the region that have been unmarked by its presence.
Link to history of the house – https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=2652
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Heading out early to walk to The Nut
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At the start of the walk..
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..View of Highfirld Historic House on the next headland in the distance.
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Chairlift – only $11 one way.
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The circuit walk at the top of The Nut..
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..was a very pleasant walk..
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..lookout on the circuit walk looking across to Highfield House
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Looking out across Stanley Harbour..
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..the wharves in Stanley Harbour..
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Stanley Harbour
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The mist in the distance was rising
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View from The Nut across the beach to Highfield House again
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On the way back down the walk was
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View through the cemetery
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Penguin viewing platform on the right
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One of the main streets..
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..was the site for the movie “The Light between Oceans” filmed in 2014
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Breakie time at the beach. It had started raining already.
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The Nut from a distance.
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Highfield Historic House
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The Gallery
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The Drawing Room
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A Piano in the house
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The Cellar
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The Master Bedroom
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Olden style suitcases
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Cradle or pram
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Wringer – Old fashioned spin cycle
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Kitchen stove
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Chapel..
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..inside the chapel..
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..upstairs was the schoolroom
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The Stable..
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..the tackroom
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Old carriage wheels..
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View back to the house
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Memorial/grave of Juliet Curr who was killed in her billy cart when the dog pulling the cart was distracted by other dogs and she hit her head on the fence as they passed.
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Picture frame of the Nut
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Wild peacock
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Green Point Beach is renowned for its big surf break – but not today
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Green Point Beach
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Nettley Bay..
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..the farmland goes all the way to the beach at Nettley Bay..
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Nettley Bay, farmland with windfarm on the headland in the distance
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Heading upstream in Arthur River
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Looking out to the ocean mouth from Arthur River..
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a couple of black swans on the river
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The bridge across Arthur River to..
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..the edge of the world..
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..the surf was pretyy rough and the outlook quite dismal. Raining again.
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DB found this leech inside his jacket and another one on the windowsill of the car.
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Today’s journey – 107km
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We have taken a whole week to travel from Devonport to Arthur River 2 hrs 21mins 192km. We have zigzagged all over the place instead, covering a lot of the NW of Tasmania.