Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Facts’ Category

Carly Findlay is participating in the Pin Post and Pose initiative for International Day of People with Disability (3 December 2011).  She’s asking anyone with a blog to get involved, which is why I’m sharing this information with you.

About Carly Findlay

Carly Findlay is the daughter of our regular contributor Roger, and his wife Jeanette.  She suffers from a chronic illness called ichthyosis, a condition causing serious skin irritation and inflammation.  But you’d be wrong to think Carly lets that stand in the way of achievement!

She is an accomplished writer, having both a website carlyfindlay.com and a blog Tune Into Radio Carly.  She is a sought-after public speaker and works in television as a presenter.  She is currently studying part time for her Masters of Communication and has worked as a volunteer and mentor to others with disabilities.  She is also crazy-passionate about bands and music!

The recently launched website by Carly Findlay showcasing her writing work

One day, we might be fortunate enough to publish an article written for Think Tasmania by Carly Findlay.  Natural writing talent is obviously in the genes, and she has some awesome ideas.  Living in Melbourne, but having visited Tasmania before, she hinted she might seek out some of the famous local produce at the Queen Victoria Market.  But we’ll wait patiently for that story, because she’s a very busy woman.

Here is a shining example of what people can manage when they really set their mind to something.  At such a young age, having so many achievements under her belt already… we can all learn something from Carly Findlay.

About International Day of People with Disablity

Official statement from the IDPwD website…

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being. The day also seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of the integration of people with disability in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

IDPwD brings together individuals, businesses, community organisations, and governments from every corner of the world to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions, skills and achievements of people with disability.

In 1992, at the conclusion of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), the General Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Carly Findlay: blogging initiative for International Day of People with Disability

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Spiky Bridge near Swansea on the east coast is a quirky feature with convict heritage.  It’s well known and promoted as an attraction in the region.  But you could easily miss the turnoff to the carpark between Buckland and Bicheno.  The beautiful Tasmanian beaches on the opposite side of Tasman Highway are quite breathtaking, after all.

Spiky Bridge opposite Great Oyster Bay near Swansea, Tasmania

Spiky Bridge: Read All About It

As with many heritage attractions in Tasmania, the people in charge have provided signage.  There’s an information board telling the visitor all about Spiky Bridge.  You can also read about the Rocky Hills Probation Station and the convict workers responsible for the construction.

Heritage information about the 1843 convict-built Spiky Bridge

The blurb from the sign is often paraphrased on travel websites… Major de Gillern was the boss man at the probation station.  His buddy Edward Shaw wanted some improvements made to the road between Swansea and Little Swanport.

Rather than wait patiently in turn for his repeated requests to be granted, Edward took the Major on a wild ride through the gully, highlighting the hazards for Tasmanian travellers.  And what do you know?  Major de Gillern promptly rounded up a gang of convicts and got the job done!

1843 east coast Tasmania: convict built Spiky Bridge

Spiky Bridge Truth… or Fiction?

So that part of the Spiky Bridge legend must be factual (well it’s written there in black and white!).  The other oft-quoted claim concerns the vertical spikes on the top of the bridge.  Cows were apparently prone to falling over the edge into the steep gulley.  If a cow did fall from the top, it would definitely do the poor creature some major damage.  But I’m not completely convinced about the cow theory.

Spiky Bridge: built to improve travel conditions on the east coast of Tasmania

Maybe when the convicts were forced to build the bridge in 1843 for their superintendent’s mate, they wanted to extract some revenge.  One bright spark may have stuck in a rock, the wrong way around, and started a trend.  Either way, the vertical stones are clearly responsible for the naming of Spiky Bridge.

Fact or fiction: did Swansea cows like to jump off Spiky Bridge?

And the jagged rocks have also managed to bring ongoing attention to the Spiky Bridge as a part of Tasmanian history.  Hopefully the lives of many cows have been saved in the 168 years since it was built.  And many people will probably continue to appreciate the clever (or sneaky) construction techniques for another 168 years to come.

Why would authorities name this Spiky Bridge, that's the question?

Spiky Bridge is located 7.5kms south of Swansea.  The turnoff is on the western side of the Tasman Highway, opposite the east coast beaches of the bay.  Across Great Oyster Bay are views to the mountains of Freycinet National Park.  And with any luck you’ll visit on a sunny day with clear blue skies in every direction…

Spiky Bridge is 7.5kms south of Swansea on Tasman Highway

Swansea: Three Arch Bridge, Mayfield Beach and Lunch!

Another 7kms further south in the Swansea region is another interesting bridge, again named in a practical manner.  Three Arch Bridge is actually underneath the existing east coast road, which has been constructed over the top.

Three Arch Bridge: 14kms south of Swansea, Tasmania

You can access the bridge by walking 40metres along a track from the carpark and camping ground, or you can just stroll along the beautiful stretch of beach.

Mayfield Beach on the east coast of Tasmania & Freycinet National Park

Mayfield Beach is highlighted by local experts as the place to go for rock and beach fishing.  If you don’t manage to land a catch of seafood, the Swansea Barkmill Tavern and Bakery attached to the museum dish up some delicious food.

I can personally recommend a toasted focaccia with chicken, cheese and avocado from the bakery section.  And I have it on good authority that their version of caramel slice is pretty good as well.  (Okay, so that was mine too!)  Next time: wood-fired pizza from the tavern department.

Bark Mill Tavern & Bakery, Swansea Tasmania

Map of Swansea Tasmania…

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania is one of those places we’ve been meaning to visit for ages.  Sometimes we overlook the popular attractions in Hobart, knowing they’ll be there next time.  With so many annual events and road trips to consider, the schedule always seems to be full.

But that’s just not good enough!  So we decided to revamp our to-do list, and moved this one up the order.  And we’re very glad we did…

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania is in Argyle Street, Hobart

Maritime Museum of Tasmania: on Deck in Hobart

You don’t even have to venture from the heart of Hobart to find the Maritime Museum.  Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, Constitution Dock, Elizabeth Street Pier, Sullivans Cove, Franklin Wharf: they all surround the Argyle St Carnegie Building.

Perfect location for boat-lovers, obviously.  Tours from the Maritime Museum of Tasmania include a guided walk around the port.  The May Queen, an 1867 trading ketch, is moored at the docks.  The museum’s floating exhibit is sometimes open for inspection during the warmer months, but is easily visible from the street.

The May Queen, floating exhibit, Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Nautical Community Effort

After years of lobbying, nautical enthusiasts saw the first version of the Maritime Museum opened in Battery Point in 1973.  Through a series of upgrades, the current site was officially opened in 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II as the major attraction and community resource we see today.

Evolving: museum from the concerted efforts of the nautical community

The collection housed in the building is astounding, and much more elaborate than we’d envisaged.  Photographs and paintings line the walls, depicting all forms of maritime activity from Tasmania’s history.  Many of the displays have evolved from donations.  Our investigation took a lot longer than the hour we’d anticipated.  A lighthouse lens from Goose Island welcomes visitors inside the main entrance, and that alone is quite mesmerising.

Goose Island lighthouse lens, a nautical welcome!

Whale Hunting in Tasmania

Another exhibit we found fascinating, was the section on whaling in the Derwent River.  There’s even old footage of a whale hunt in progress.  The whalers row a comparatively tiny boat yet still manage to secure one of the massive whales.  Prized for the production of oil from the whale blubber, and just like the convict settlement in the state, this part of Tasmanian history is quite disturbing.

But the Maritime Museum has managed to incorporate the reality of the past, with the present-day protection of whales by organisations including Sea Shepherd.  The quote from their mural, Thar She Blows… there is no employment more hazardous, more labourious, more disgusting, than whaling… probably sums up the general consensus.

The history of whale hunting in Tasmania

Petrel Shipwreck and Hope Beach

Shipwrecks also make for interesting subjects.  There’s a large piece of timber on show, found at Hope Beach on the South Arm Peninsula in 2006.  Detailed archaeological research revealed the timber, a north-eastern Tasmanian silver-top ash, came from the stem and keel of the Petrel bow.

Timber from the shipwreck Petrel, washed ashore in 2006

The 195 ton barque Petrel was built in shipyards at Gravelly Beach on the Tamar River in 1847.  During a trading voyage between Hobart Town and Port Arthur in 1853, the vessel apparently ran into trouble near the Iron Pot lighthouse.  Some of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Petrel was solved when the wreckage washed ashore during a storm… after 153 years lost at sea!

Maritime Museum of Tasmania: Features

There’s too many features to list in a single article.  If you’re a fan of model boats, the Maritime Museum of Tasmania is definitely the place for you. There’s stacks of them, from all vintages and cultures.  Kids (young and old) will enjoy the chance to ring a bell or two, and look through the telescope out towards Victoria Dock.  And what would a nautical theme be without a few masthead figures and models, or an awesome diving ensemble?

Nautical artifacts at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Everywhere you look, there’s reminders of the progression maritime travel has made over the years.  There’s a wooden boat given to a bride as a wedding present in 1871!  Strange enough present, but more so because her own betrothed was the founder of a ship-building firm.  Wonder why she didn’t just use one of his boats when she rowed the seven miles from Port Cygnet to Surveyors Beach?

Ropes, knots, canons, boats: all things nautical in Tasmania!

You can also check out

• images of an early version of the Spirit of Tasmania
• samples of knots tied by shippies everywhere
• navigational instruments including a revolving scanner
• boating facts and figures from the navy
• an aboriginal bark canoe
• the SS Rosny, the eastern-shore ferry in the pre-Tasman Bridge days

You might want to take home a reminder of your visit to the Maritime Museum of Tasmania.  That’s an option!  You’ll pass a couple of smaller rooms as you complete your journey, one with maps and one with books.  Those for sale include stories about the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and Jessica Watson’s round-the-world adventure on Pink Lady.

Nautical gift shop, maps and books about boats!

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania is located on the corner of
Davey and Argyle Streets in Hobart.  They’re open daily from
9am to 5pm;  admission is $7 per adult and $16 per family.
Children 12 and under are free.

Map of Maritime Museum of Tasmania…

The Tasman Bridge is a feature of the city of Hobart in Tasmania.  The concrete bridge spans the Derwent River, linking the CBD with Clarence and the Eastern Shore region.  A view of the attractive bridge is highly regarded in terms of real estate values.  But the Tasman Bridge also has a special place in history following the collapse disaster of Sunday, 5 January 1975.

From Lindisfarne: the Tasman Bridge and Hobart CBD

Tasman Bridge Collapse

Like many Australians, I saw photos and read Tasmanian news reports following the collapse.  ABC TV featured a story about the Tasman Bridge disaster on an episode of Can We Help.  They spoke to the occupants of the green Monaro that was photographed teetering over the edge of the gaping hole left in the road that night.

Tasman Bridge disaster: ABC TV Can We Help website

Frank and Sylvia Manly and their family were extremely lucky that fateful night.  Four other cars travelling on the bridge did not manage to stop in time, and their five occupants plunged over the edge into the Derwent River.  Seven crewman from the ship responsible for the downfall of the Tasmanian Bridge also lost their lives.

Bridge Collapse: Lake Illawarra Ship Wreck

The Lake Illawarra, a 7000-ton bulk carrier loaded with zinc ore concentrate, was attempting to navigate through the shipping span at about 9:30pm.  Unfortunately, the captain had a momentary lapse in concentration.  That human error was compounded by tidal currents and caused the vessel to smash into one of the huge pylons.  Two piers and over 120 metres of the bridge road came crashing down.  The wreckage of the ship still remains at the bottom of the Derwent River where it sank in 1975.

Derwent River: Lake Illawara sank south of the Tasman Bridge

Despite reading and hearing about this major Tasmanian event, it was actually a cruise on the luxury catamaran Peppermint Bay that brought the episode in history to life.  As you glide under the Tasman Bridge and gaze up at the huge concrete structure, you get a real sense of the enormity of the tragedy.  Thankfully, as our tour guide pointed out, a compulsory pilot service has now been introduced for all ships passing under the bridge.

Tasman Bridge: rebuilt 1975-77 after the collapse disaster

The current Tasman Bridge cost about $44 million to replace
and was reopened to traffic in Hobart Tasmania in October 1977.

Further Reading: Tasman Bridge Disaster

A report written for the Australian Journal of Emergency Management by Rod McGee and Lynn Young to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Tasman Bridge Collapse contains a great deal of information about the history of the bridge and facts about the disaster.

Map of Tasman Bridge Hobart Tasmania…

Joseph Lyons has so far been the only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, serving a seven year term in the top job.  For anyone interested in this chapter of Australian political history, the north west coast of the state offers two complementary heritage attractions.

Joseph Lyons: only Tasmanian Prime Minister of Australia

Joseph Lyons: Honest Joe!

Joseph Lyons was born 15 September 1879 to Irish immigrant parents Michael and Ellen.  He, along with his parents and seven siblings, lived in a humble cottage in Stanley.  Joe attended school at both Ulverstone and Stanley and went on to become a school teacher.

Joseph Lyons Cottage

The 19th Century settlers cottage called home by the young Joseph Lyons has been restored, and now contains antiques, photographs and family memorabilia.  Lyons Cottage is at 14 Alexander Street, Stanley (the north-western tip of the region), and is open for people to appreciate.  Entry is free but donations are gratefully accepted.

Joseph Lyons Cottage, Stanley (Photo by Dan Fellow)

One of the remarkable political feats of “Honest Joe” was his path to the federal leadership.  After spending almost seven years as state opposition leader from 1916, Lyons became Premier of Tasmania on 25 October 1923.  During that time however (in 1919),  Lyons was an unsuccessful ALP candidate for a federal seat at a general election.

After losing power in the Tasmanian government in 1928, Joseph Lyons eventually did make the move to Canberra.  Then he resigned his post as a federal minister in 1931, only to be elected as leader of the new United Australia Party.  Nine months later he was elected Prime Minister!

The busts of Joseph Lyons & his wife Enid Lyons in Devonport

Home Hill, Devonport

Joseph married Enid Muriel Burnell in 1915 and between them they had twelve children!  That is another remarkable fact in itself.  Imagine the time constraints placed on their family with Dad’s political commitments.  Not only was Lyons leading a minority ALP government, as Premier he also managed the Treasury and Railways portfolios.

In 1916 Joseph and Enid Lyons built a lovely timber house in Devonport for their soon-to-be blossoming family.  Since Dame Enid’s death in 1981, the family home has been maintained by the National Trust and provides a sneak peek into the life of the prominent Australian political family.  Home Hill is at 77 Middle Road, Devonport and is open to the public at set times.  General admission is $10-00.

Home Hill, the Lyons family home in Devonport, Tasmania

Dame Enid Lyons

In 1939, Joseph Lyons died of a heart attack while serving as Australian Prime Minister. Four years later, at the 1943 federal general election, Enid Lyons became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives, winning the Tasmanian seat of Darwin.  She later became the first female in federal Cabinet.  She resigned in 1951 citing ill health, after three successful election campaigns.

Enid Lyons: political champion for women's and children's rights

Also a former teacher, Enid Lyons was a champion for the rights of women, children and equality between genders.  Surviving her husband by almost twice as many years as their marriage, Dame Enid was clearly a special woman.  Following her retirement from politics, she wrote books and newspaper articles; and served on several boards.  Her picture even appeared on a postage stamp.

The above photos of Joseph Lyons and Enid Lyons
are from the National Archives of Australia.

The Phenomena Factory in Launceston Tasmania can convert even the least academic student into a science boffin.  Far from that effect being an unexplained phenomenon however, the reason is quite simple.  Everyone has the chance to actually play with the exhibits, making learning fun!

Visit the Phenomena Factory, Inveresk for some hands-on science

The Art of Science at the Phenomena Factory, Inveresk

Don’t misunderstand the message here, though.  A trip to the Phenomena Factory is not purely about learning.  The underlying catch is definitely to engage kids in education, that’s true.  But the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Inveresk, Launceston is a tourist attraction and appealing to all ages.

The Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Launceston Tasmania

At the entrance of the science centre is the Perception Tunnel, my favourite of all the experiences.  Doesn’t matter if you’ve done it once, or twenty times;  you just can’t quite get your head around how it works.  The more determined you are to walk straight… the more you sway on the perfectly stable bridge.  Weird!

The Perception Tunnel at the entrance to the Phenomena Factory

Science is Sweet !

We timed our visit to the Phenomena Factory early in the day, and were happy to find a recently-stocked Jaffa machine.  Although I must say, I’ve never had to work so hard to earn a sweet treat.  Cranking the handle to generate enough power to get a single chocolate probably burns enough calories to justify a whole bag of lollies.  Maybe that’s the idea?  Perhaps I should put one of those contraptions on my pantry door!!

Get your Jaffa at the Phenomena Factory science centre, Inveresk

A little friendly competition also makes the science interaction more exciting.  You can challenge yourself, or you can challenge your family and friends to some simple games.  And who can resist the countdown to the launch of a rocket?

Playing science games in Launceston, Tasmania

Phenomena Factory: Fit for Everyone!

A great way for the kids to burn some energy, the Phenomena Factory makes it to the top ten list of things to do in Launceston, even when it’s raining.  But you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to participate, either.  Just pulling a simple lever will result in some interesting reactions.

Experimenting with science... slow moving bubbles!

In fact, in the courtyard of the old Launceston railway site there are whisper domes.  You speak softly into one of the dishes, and your partner can clearly receive the secret message standing 20 metres away at another dish.  Amazing!

A railway carriage connecting the inside and outside areas has been converted into a dining room for the Choose Cafe.  So if the kids aren’t keen to leave (which is likely) and you are in need of a coffee… all bases are covered.

The whisper dish and dining carriage in the railway yard, Inveresk

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, Inveresk

If you’re wondering how much all this entertainment will cost you, don’t worry.  It’s free!  The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery works on a donation system, suggesting $5-00 as an appropriate amount.  Money well spent, I’d say. The Phenomena Factory is at 2 Invermay Rd, Inveresk and is open daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Even the musically inclined have a turn at science. Phenomenal...

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery has two locations, but the Royal Park site is currently closed for a major renovation.  The reopening is scheduled for September 2011.  Meanwhile, other permanent exhibitions at the Inveresk site include…

• Tasmanian Connections (dinosaurs, transport, geology, colonial heritage)
• Transforming the Island: Railways in Tasmania
• The Blacksmith Shop
• Replay: Sporting Life in Tasmania
• Launceston Planetarium

Map: Queen Victoria Museum Phenomena Factory…

Trevallyn Dam, Lake & Nature Recreation Area

Trevallyn Dam: a tranquil place to enjoy a quiet picnic or a gentle kayak in the adjacent Lake Trevallyn.  Right?  Usually, that would be right.  But contemplating a paddle anywhere near the dam wall during recent floods would’ve been crazy!

South Esk River waters flood over the Trevallyn Dam wall

Trevallyn Dam Power System

Trevallyn Dam, about 5kms from the CBD of Launceston: a city in northern Tasmania and the capital of the Tamar Valley region.   The South Esk River flows through the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area, and has been dammed as part of the Trevallyn Power Development.

Waters sourced from high in the Great Western Tiers (from Arthurs Lake, Lake Augusta and Great Lake) pass through the central Poatina Station and then continue via the Trevallyn system to the Cataract Gorge; then out to sea via the Tamar River.

The Hydro power system on show at the Trevallyn Dam

Lake Trevallyn and Floods… of People

After very heavy rains at the end of March, the Trevallyn Dam wall turned into a tourist attraction, with massive flood waters spilling over.  The powerful South Esk River surging over the dam wall was quite a sight, and the residents of Launceston were out in force to witness the occasion.

A flood... of tourists at the Trevallyn Dam!

The Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area is well-used by locals all year round.  Cable hang-gliding, bush-walking, water-skiing, windsurfing… or just an encounter with local ducks or a resident wombat on the list of activities.  Wildlife has been respected in the creation of the Hydro Dam, with ladders provided for migrating eels to negotiate the wall.  I won’t be swimming in that lake anytime soon!!

Eels (elvers) migrate to Lake Travellyn via ladders in the dam wall

Barbecue facilities are provided for extended day-trips, handy for the clubs and associations organising commercial and sporting events.  Orienteering, horse-riding, rock climbing and archery enthusiasts utilise the 440 hectare reserve while Lake Trevallyn offers a venue for aquatic pursuits (eels notwithstanding!).

Reserving the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area

According to the Parks and Wildlife Service, the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area has the potential to attract a greater number of tourists in the future.  While acknowledging that more visitors would benefit local business operators, they also declare that tourism is secondary to local community needs.  I’m guessing the ice-cream salesman would be happy to welcome a crowd of tourists any time… and not just when the Trevallyn Dam is creating a spectacle!

Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area during the flood spectacle

Interesting facts about the Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area…

• Aboriginal cultural heritage sites
• 26 threatened flora species and five threatened fauna species
• shared boundaries, Cataract Gorge Reserve (Launceston City Council)
• weed invasion, soil erosion and exotic animals (including domestic cats)… could threaten the future value of the area

Map of Trevallyn Dam, Tasmania