Archive for the ‘Tasmanian History’ Category

Exploring Currie Harbour Lighthouse, King Island

by Roger Findlay

If ever you find yourself in Currie on King Island, part of the north west region of Tasmania, I would suggest that you make enquiries about a lighthouse tour.  We found out about it when we went to the Currie Library to browse books and use the internet.

The township of Currie, King Island in the north west region of Tasmania

Book Lighthouse Tour.  Tick.

We booked a tour and met our guide at the lighthouse the following day.  It always amazes me how versatile people are in somewhat remote places and our tour guide was no exception.  Apart from being an occasional guide, this charming lady (originally from Wangaratta in Victoria) worked at the school and at the library.  Her husband managed their farm and she was quite capable of helping in between her other duties.

Currie Harbour Lighthouse

The elevated lighthouse stands alongside the entrance to Currie Harbour and serves the dual purpose of a harbour entrance light and a coastal light.  An English company pre-fabricated the structure from wrought iron with a cast iron base before shipping to King Island for construction in 1879.

Currie Harbour Lighthouse on King Island in the north west region of Tasmania

It was lit the following year but it wasn’t until 1957 that mains power was used.  In 1989, the authorities considered the light unnecessary and it was switched off.  Locals resisted this action and, after much lobbying, the light was restored to operable in 1995.

The Brave & Noble Tourist

I’m not comfortable with steep spiral staircases or heights but on this occasion I had to put on a brave face to outdo my very brave and nimble wife!  I let her go first with me in the middle and the guide at the rear.  By doing this, I thought I would be safe if I happened to fall!

Jeanette Findlay handles the spiral staircase of the lighthouse tour with ease!

It made me feel dizzy looking up from the bottom.  The challenge entailed 90 narrow steel steps winding to a height of 21.3 metres.  Jeanette had seen me crossing a rickety suspension bridge at Montezuma Falls.  She had seen my face turn green.  Now she was gloating again! (How could Mr Perfect be outdone?)

View Over Currie

The steady climb was well worth it as the view down to Currie Harbour, the Boat House and over to the township was magnificent.  Despite the wintry conditions and the spray from the rain on the lighthouse glass, our guide could point out all of the interesting features.  She also had excellent knowledge of the old light systems and lenses that were on display.

The lighthouse tour guide can point out features: like a burnt out Boat House

Not too bad going up but how would I go coming down?  Being the only male, I considered it rather chivalrous to let the ladies go first!  To my relief we made the bottom without incident and now I have this tale of the Currie Harbour lighthouse tour to tell (and photos to share!).

Currie Harbour views from the top of the King Island lighthouse

Lighthouse Tour, Keeper’s Residence & Museum

On a separate occasion, we visited the magnificent grounds of the lighthouse keeper’s residence that is now used as a museum.  The stark white buildings are kept in immaculate condition and stand as a prominent landmark on the western side of King Island.

As we drove back towards the Naracoopa Holiday Units where
we were staying, Jeanette hinted that she would like a spiral staircase
in our next home.  Blimey, it’s hard enough finding her in the king
sized bed let alone chasing her up a spiral staircase!

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Map: Currie Harbour Lighthouse, King Island, Tasmania…

Bruny Island: An Introduction

by Roger Findlay

The isthmus joining north and south Bruny Island

Bruny Island Ferry: Kettering

Bruny Island can be accessed by regular ferry service from Kettering in the Huon Valley region.  Kettering is a comfortable 45 minute drive south of Hobart on the southern outlet via Kingston.  To make the journey a bit more interesting, we usually travel along the coast road through Sandy Bay and Taroona where you may wish to visit to the Shot Tower.

Before you commence your journey, check out the Bruny Island Ferry departure times so that you don’t have to wait for too long.

Take the vehicular ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island

The ferry boat is of drive on-drive off style and the cost for a return trip is between $28 and $42 depending on the season and length of the vehicle.  The good ship Mirambeena sails at a steady pace for twenty minutes before docking at Roberts Point south of Barnes Bay right at the start of the Bruny Island main road.  The crossing can be a bit blowy but I don’t think you need to take tablets for sea sickness!

The vehicle and passenger ferry between Kettering & Bruny Island (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Isthmus: Memorial to Truganini

Now for those of you that don’t know what an isthmus is, I can tell you!  It is a narrow strip of land between two seas.  Bruny is almost like two islands (north and south) joined by an isthmus just wide enough for the road.  With the sea either side, it makes for a very different drive.  Half way across the isthmus is a lookout and a memorial to Truganini who was born on the island and was married at the island’s mission in 1829.

A memorial to Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini on the isthmus of Bruny Island

Read all about Tasmanian aboriginal Truganini on the isthmus of Bruny Island

Lookout for Bruny Island Residents…

Before we went, I read there are more snakes on Bruny than anywhere else in Tasmania.  This didn’t stop us from staying a few days and we’re glad we did as there’s so much to see and do.  The coastal views are breathtaking especially at Kelly’s Lookout.

Breathtaking coastal views abound on Bruny Island

We stayed in a small house in Lunawanna (South Bruny).  It was fairly close to the Cape Bruny lighthouse where we spent time walking the surrounds.  For those interested in history, you can visit the location of Captain James Cook’s 1777 landing at Adventure Bay.

Lighthouse, Cape Bruny (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Bruny Island Foodie Paradise!

For the foodie, Bruny Island is paradise.  I am told the Bruny Island Smokehouse (BISH) is a must.  We chose a cheese platter and fresh baked bread from Nick Haddow’s cheese factory but you may choose to source freshly caught fish or oysters.  The Hotel at Alonnah serves hearty pub food and you can sit outside drinking a cleansing ale right beside the sea.

Bruny Island Hotel at Alonnah, the place for hearty pub food

We’ve been to Bruny Island twice now and it’s a place we would visit again.  Three days on the island makes it worthwhile and reduces the odds of seeing one of those snakes I told you about!

Roger's daughter Carly Findlay enjoys the view over the Bruny Island isthmus

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Map: Bruny Island Tasmania…

The Salmon Ponds in the Derwent Valley region might just be my new favourite place to send tourists on holiday in Tasmania.  We went there for the first time a fortnight ago, and had the best day.  We managed to arrange some magnificent weather just for the occasion, which always helps.  And with some great company, it was perfect for a relaxing day in the great outdoors.  Really, truly, perfect.

The Salmon Ponds, 10 minutes from New Norfolk in the Derwent Valley, Tasmania

Salmon Ponds: Lunch in the Derwent Valley

The picturesque drive to the Salmon Ponds from Hobart takes about 40 minutes.  From New Norfolk, you follow Glenora Road on the western bank of the Derwent River, heading towards Mt Field National Park.  There’s a sign on the road marking the way to the entrance.  Through an avenue of trees, you will emerge at the carpark outside reception.

After a pleasant drive through the Derwent Valley, we arrived at the Salmon Ponds

Our first duty was to sample the lunch menu.  The Salmon Ponds has a casual, fully-licensed cafe. The selection features mostly pancakes, but with a special burger and salad of the day.  The young ladies in control of the dining area were run off their feet, but did an exemplary job.  Our group ordered a variety of food (salmon salad, beef burger, chicken curry pancakes) and drinks, and everyone was happy with their choice.  I would definitely plan any future visits to coincide with lunch.

It really is pancakes by the pond if you want!! Or a burger, or a salad...

Feeding Trout in the Salmon Ponds!

Once we were fed, it was time to head to the salmon ponds and feed the fish.  This was the highlight of the day!  For $2-00, you can purchase a plastic tub filled with pellets, and the fish are well aware of the routine.  A punter at the edge of the pond clearly screams “food coming”.

Hand-feed varieties of trout and Atlantic Salmon swimming in the ponds

Breeds of trout (Rainbow, Brown, Tiger and Albino) and Atlantic Salmon are separated into their own large ponds, and frequently jump right out of the water when you’re feeding them.  They’re obviously well cared for, as some of them are huge fish.  Apparently they can weigh up to eight kilograms.

Tasmanian Museum: Trout Fishing & Hatchery

The feeding of humans and fish is not the only attraction.  A cottage built in 1865, originally for the superintendent of the Salmon Ponds, is now the Tasmanian Museum of Trout Fishing.  Okay, so trout fishing.  Not salmon?  Yes, that’s correct.

In the beginning, the idea was to hatch and breed salmon sent over from England.  But the salmon released in Tasmania were way too smart to hang around, so the angling folk had to resort to trout.  Hence the popular sport was launched and eventually became the booming industry we have in the state today.

Tasmanian Museum of Trout Fishing, part of the Salmon Ponds, New Norfolk

If you’re interested in the fish-breeding process, you can also access the Hatchery at the Salmon Ponds.  There’s clearly a complicated process involved in keeping Tasmanian lakes and rivers stocked with enough healthy trout to go around.  Some of the history of angling in Tasmania is also revealed in this heritage building, along with big tanks and egg-sorting paraphernalia.

The heritage Hatchery building and the history of the Salmon Ponds

Heritage Trees and English Gardens

You don’t necessarily have to be mad-keen on fishing to appreciate the Salmon Ponds.  I can vouch for that!  Gardeners will be mesmerised by the trees, lawns and hedges surrounding the waterways.  Huge expanses of lush, green lawn are edged by mature trees in the fashion of 19th Century England.  Obviously the people responsible for the planting knew exactly what they were doing, because the significant trees are up to 140 years old.  When we arrived, we were given a brochure outlining the placement of each different species of tree.

A magnificent collection of heritage trees in the English-style gardens

Plenty River Walk

There’s also a walking path alongside the Plenty River, where you can search for the elusive platypus and spot the occasional eel.  And while there’s no angling opportunities within the Salmon Ponds, a platform on the River Walk has been built to allow people with disabilities to fish for trout.

The Plenty River Walk, where you might spy a platypus or a slippery eel

Also along the Plenty River Walk, there’s a hut (called The Sanctuary), which is a re-creation of the accommodation available to Tasmanian pioneers as they enjoyed their trout fishing.  Nearby, there are terrific picnic and bbq facilities if you choose to pass on the Pancakes by the Pond.

Vigorous cricket matches were in progress around the grounds on the day of our visit.  And rounding out the things to do and see at the Salmon Ponds…  the Tasmanian Angling Hall of Fame is housed in another outbuilding.

Youl be Proud…

Sir James Arndell Youl would be very proud to see that his “bold thinking and careful experimentation” has evolved into this wonderful heritage attraction.  And I’m pretty happy that we’ve been to see the Salmon Ponds in person, and can now confidently recommend it to you.

Sir James Arndell Youl, a pioneer of the trout fishing industry in Tasmania

For information regarding opening times and entrance fees
(which include all-day access to the entire grounds)
visit the Salmon Ponds website.

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Map: Salmon Ponds Tasmania…

Entally House

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Beautiful Entally House and Estate is located 15 minutes from Launceston on the Meander Valley Touring Route in the community of Hadspen.  The Estate was established by Thomas Reibey II in 1819 and is one of the best historic homes in Tasmania.

Entally House: a fine heritage estate in Hadspen Tasmania (via Launceston)

It has Australia’s oldest conservatory, chapel, stables, carriage house and farmyard.  In 1947 the property was bought by the Tasmanian Government through the Scenery Preservation Board and managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, who today still manage this enchanting property.

Entally House: step back in history at the Estate in Hadspen, Tasmania

Entally House: Estate Gardens & Vineyard

Entally House sits in a large stunning garden setting which also includes a vineyard.  When I arrived and stepped out of the car the heavenly perfume of the garden was one of the first things to greet me.  If you’re a garden-lover you will certainly take pleasure in the floral displays and smells as you walk around this delightful old garden.  These gorgeous grounds are available for events and weddings.

The beautiful estate gardens surrounding Entally House

The interior of Entally House is beautifully preserved and presented.  I enjoyed walking in and out of all the rooms and getting the feel of what it must’ve been like to live here in this era.  You can join one of the tours or walk around the Estate at your own pace.

The estate library in Entally House, one of the beautifully preserved rooms

As with the majority of old buildings in this period of time most of the construction was done with convict labour.  You can enjoy some wine from the vineyard or treat yourself to a lovely Devonshire tea while you reflect on the history and beauty of the property.

An elegant bedroom fit for the landed gentry in olden Tasmanian times

Entally Estate: Open in Hadspen

Entally House is open 10am to 4pm seven days a week (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day). Cost of Entry is $10 per adult; $8 per pensioner or student; $25 per family (2 adults and unlimited children).

Take a tour of Entally House or wander the estate at your own pace

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

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Map: Entally House, Hadspen Tasmania…

A dinner cruise aboard Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries is great value.   In fact, Peter Fell himself reckons it’s the best value on the river.  And really, where else could you take your family for a hot, three-course meal for $115-00?  That price includes free wine, coffee and cake, and over two hours of cruising on the Derwent River in Hobart.

Join a dinner cruise in Hobart with Captain Fell and his historic ferries? Yes we can!

Join Us For a Dinner Cruise? Why Yes…

So we agreed from the outset with Captain Fell that the price of his dinner cruise was very reasonable.  But would it be a good Tassie experience?  You know, there’s only one way to find out for certain.  So when Karlien made contact with Think Tasmania requested help with some free advertising, we accepted an invitation to climb aboard and test the waters.  This article is a result of our first-hand experience.

All the food on the dinner cruise was excellent. Hot, generous and well-cooked.

We met with the good captain at 5:30pm at his jetty on Franklin Wharf in Hobart before our 6:00pm dinner cruise departure time.  We ordered our meals, which were to be cooked fresh aboard the boat when we set sail, and had a casual chat.

Buy your tickets and meet for the dinner cruise at Franklin Wharf in Hobart

Captain Fell Loves His Historic Ferries

Peter has a real passion for the historic ferries.  He is a true Aussie battler, and has faced real adversity in his tourism business of late… not an uncommon tale.  But rather than shrink from a challenge, Peter seems determined to improve his product range and service delivery to suit emerging market trends.

Captain Fell (and our dinner cruise host) aboard the Emmalisa in Hobart

We climbed aboard the vintage Emmalisa at the scheduled time with the other passengers, everyone buoyed with enthusiasm.  While Captain Fell took to the wheel house, the chef went to the galley and we were left in the capable hands of our dinner cruise host.  With a glass of wine to start with, the on-board commentary began… all about the history of Battery Point and the Hobart wharf.

The Emmalisa, one of the historic ferries owned by Captain Fell in Hobart

Delicious Dinner Cruise

In no time at all, we were served with a delicious and steaming hot bowl of chicken soup.  With real chicken in it!  One of the juniors declared it the best soup he’d ever eaten!!  Soon followed our main meal, and as this was a test case for an article, we ordered a variety of mains.  Rump steak, chicken schnitzel, lamb cutlets and crumbed fish; all served with Tasmanian potatoes and a garden salad.

All hot, and all with accompanying sauces.  And all delicious!  There wasn’t a single bite left, and we’re talking very generous serves.  Peter supports other locals in the area, and buys all his meat fresh from the Salamanca Fruit Market in Hobart.

Dinner and a cruise with Captain Fell. Generous serves, hot and delicious!

The bowl of ice-cream to finish the meal was also massive, and we had a choice of chocolate or strawberry topping.  If that wasn’t enough, there was also fruit cake to have with coffee.  And while you can help yourself to wine for free, there’s also a bar selling beers and mixed drinks.

Cruising Hobart’s Derwent River

Now you might think we actually just sat at the wharf eating and drinking; but what would a dinner cruise be without an actual tour around the Hobart harbour?  Of course we did that too, and what a bonus!!  It was lovely, and very relaxing.  The day had been quite windy and the water seemed choppy, but the historic ferry handled the conditions really well and we had a smooth ride.

You get such a different perspective from the water, and as we cruised past some of Hobart’s landmark features, I couldn’t help but take way too many photos.  But as you may know, that’s my indicator of a good time!  You will travel past the Tasman Bridge (where we saw a dolphin leap from the water), Government House and a myriad of boats and ships in the docks, all from a new angle.

The Tasman Bridge across the Derwent River in Hobart Tasmania

A great view from the Derwent River of Government House on Queens Domain

Emmalisa meets the Lady Jane and other vessels over the course of the dinner cruise

All too soon, the dinner cruise came to an end and we returned to Franklin Wharf.  Other passengers leaving the historic ferry posed for photographs with the captain, and all left with big smiles.  This is definitely a great thing to do with a group, but since our visit we’ve sent other customers along (a couple) and checked their opinion.  It was the same as ours!  They had a fabulous steak meal and really enjoyed the perspective of Hobart from the Derwent River.

Returning to Franklin Wharf at the conclusion of the Saturday evening dinner cruise

Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries & Tours

So everyone has given the dinner cruise a definite thumbs up.  For a value-for-money meal with a bonus cruise, you can’t go wrong!  The company does offer other services, including tours on the Lady Jane (a “party boat” for group functions) and tours on a double-decker bus of Hobart and surrounds.  We wouldn’t hesitate joining Captain Fell and his friendly staff another time.

The vintage Emmalisa, the Hobart dinner cruise tour boat owned by Captain Fell

For more information, phone 03 6223 5893
or see Captain Fell’s Historic Ferries website.
The writer and her family were guests of
Captain Fell for the Saturday evening dinner cruise.

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Map: Captain Fell’s Dinner Cruise…

This short story “The Black Vaughan” was written by Mike Fry.
Mike is one of the regular team of contributors at Think Tasmania and
usually writes Tasmanian travel articles about the west coast.
However, given the history of Tasmania, many of our readers also have
an interest in genealogy and/or ghost stories.  We’re sure you’ll find
this an entertaining piece and we’re very happy to share Mike’s excellent story.

The Black Vaughan

I received the parcel quite some years ago from an elderly uncle in England.  A plain brown package in the form of a large bloated envelope.  I still have that envelope today.  A little worse for wear, I must admit; dog-earred and with a huge array of British postage stamps covering the entire right hand side of the envelope.  The date from Her Majesty’s General Post Office indiscernible.

I was quite excited as I had spoken to him some months prior, concerning our family pedigree, and a document that he had found in a box of letters from a recently deceased relative.  Inside the envelope was a cordial letter of greetings together with some thirty odd pages of a family tree.  The author had written the pages in calligraphy together with elaborately painted coats of arms at intervals throughout the document.  Such was the attention to detail that I immediately started to read.

It was with absolute amazement that I gazed on the first entry of the tree listed as circa 203AD.  It was that of a Welsh king, Gwarldegg, King of Garthmadryn, now Brecknock.  I was truly amazed that firstly a family tree could go back this far and secondly that I could be a known descendant of an ancient nobleman, a king no less.  As I read further I could see in the notation that some of the listings were qualified by historical information and references.

In the letter from my uncle it was plain that he too was clearly excited and promised to investigate further and qualify the details listed from other sources.

Over the past few years I have referred to the document and on occasions have shown it to friends and others who have expressed interest in genealogy.  Recently I was drawn to an ancestor on the document who was, apparently, a troubled soul.  That, perhaps, is an understatement. I refer to a character known as The Black Vaughan.

Even today, in the hamlet of Kington on the Welsh border, discussion of this evil man are spoken in whispers less his ghost be listening.

Sir Thomas Vaughan, of Hergest Court in Hertfordshire, England, was the local lord and a wicked man who was known to terrorise the peasants in the district.  Thomas married a lady, Ellen Gethin (Gethin the Terrible), also descended from another branch of the Vaughan family in Wales.  She once dressed as a male to enter an archery contest and when she was called upon to draw her bow she shot a fellow competitor through the chest killing him instantly.  The victim was another relative who had previously killed her brother.  In the subsequent confusion she escaped while the local officials scoured the countryside looking for a male archer.

So evil was Thomas, The Black Vaughan, that he once stood under a tree close to Hergest and the grass beneath his feet burnt and never grew back.  It was, until quite recently, that the burnt outline of his boot under that ancient tree was still visible.

Thomas was killed at the Battle of Banbury in 1483 during the War of the Roses where he was captured and decapitated.  He fought originally for the Lancastrians but switched his allegiance to the Yorkist cause.  Reason enough perhaps for the Lancastrians to repay his treachery.  His ever faithful black hound went to battle with him and on seeing his master decapitated raced to the scene and snatched his master’s head and ran off with it, not stopping until it reached Hergest Court.  Thomas’s headless body was then brought back to Kington for burial.

It was not long after his death that the hauntings started.  At first it was a large troublesome fly that persistently irritated horses, cattle and then people of the village.  All the while his spirit grew stronger until he manifested himself into the form of a raging black Hereford bull that entered the church of St Mary’s.  At the same time the ghost was accompanied by a fearsome and huge black hound.

The people of Kington were so terrorized that they refused to go out of their homes and the once prosperous market town’s economy was severely affected.  It was then that a group of twelve clergymen from the region decided to exorcise the ghost.  These twelve men, good and true, with bell book and twelve candles managed to reduce the phenomenon to the size of a fly and placed into a snuff box.  This was then placed at the bottom Hergest Moat under a large stone slab.

For a while all was quiet but then the hauntings resumed and it was thought that the snuff box had been disturbed.  The twelve good clergymen again exorcised the spirit to the waters of the moat where it is believed his spirit still remains lest it be disturbed.

All remained quiet for some years until a mysterious large black hound began to appear in the village and at Hergest Court.  It was to be known as the ‘Demon Dog of Kington’ and from time to time it would appear usually just prior to a death in the Vaughan family.  The beast dog could be seen stalking the villagers with eyes of fire and breath so foul.  Even today the locals will not walk alone near Hergest Croft and at night they will not consider driving their cars anywhere near the estate.

Ordinarily this story would finish here, merge with local folklore to be scoffed at by skeptics and to be a source of amusement for tourists and visitors.  However the district was to receive a visit by a distinguished nineteenth century novelist by the name of Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Vaughans of the region were related to another family the Baskervilles. It would also appear that Arthur Conan Doyle himself was distantly related to the Baskerville-Mynors and had some friends in the locality.  The Baskervilles had a castle at Eardisley and one of my Vaughan ancestors, Rosser Fychan, married a daughter of Sir Ralph Baskerville some years before The Black Vaughan incidents.

Arthur Conan Doyle stayed at Clyro Court with an acquaintance Thomas Baskerville whose family had lived in the area for centuries.  On a previous golfing trip in Norfolk Doyle had been entertained by his friend Fletcher Robinson who had entertained him with a story about a phantom dog called Black Shuck, as big as a calf.  Late that night the two plotted on a story involving a huge black beast dog.  They later collaborated at Robinson’s house on the edge of Dartmoor.  However Thomas Baskerville told Doyle about the Demon Dog of Kington, of The Black Vaughan and the hauntings of Hergest Court.  Doyle was hooked; he had to write this story and the local characters were just the ticket.

Curiously Robinson only got paid £30 per 1000 words with Doyle receiving £100 per 100 words.  It was then even more curious when Robinson mysteriously died at the age of 36 by laudanum poisoning.  Doyle, a qualified doctor, was suspected but never proven to be implicated.

To add further interest novelist Phil Rickman has written an epic mystery surrounding these events.  ‘The Prayer of the Night Shepherd’ is a mystery based on the dispute of the origins of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

It is of even more interest if we look at the cast of Doyle’s novel.  Hugo Baskerville, the wicked master of Baskerville Hall played by The Black Vaughan, Sir Thomas Vaughan.  Dr James Mortimer taken from a common family name in the district surrounding Kington.  Mortimer’s Cross is a few miles east of Kington.  The botanist Jack Stapleton named after the village of Stapleton near Prestigne a few miles from Kington.  Of course the star of the show would be the demonic black hound of Sir Thomas Vaughan that to this day still haunts the woods and countryside around the Hergest Estate and the village of Kington.

Although other sources have been quoted as the origin of the plot it should perhaps be left to the individual to decide for themselves.  I, for one, am happy with the thought that at least some of the inspiration for the novel would have come from his experiences and associations with The Demon Hound of Kington, The Black Hound of Hergest Croft and of my ancestor the very wicked Sir Thomas Vaughan.

References from the Vaughan Pedigree written by Norman Dannatt, my uncle, and from Jones History of Breckonshire.

Mike Fry is the owner of Ormiston House bed and breakfast
accommodation in Strahan Tasmania

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Ida Bay Railway

by Allegra Biggs Dale & Meg Thornton

The Ida Bay Railway is original.  Of the hundreds of miles of narrow gauge bush tramways built in Tasmania the Ida Bay Railway is the only original railway in existence.  There are relics of the limestone carrying days in the form of wagons and machinery.  Several of the passenger carriages are built on bogie flat wagons built in the 1890s; some of the earliest bogie wagons in Australia.

Catch the historical Ida Bay Railway at the Lune River station, south Tasmania

All Aboard at the Lune River Railway Station

The company livery is red and the line is over 7kms long, so please allow two hours for the return trip.  From Lune River you will travel through light bush to the shores of Ida Bay.  The line passes through the site of the original town of Ida Bay past the wharf and grave yard that is all that remains of a once thriving area.  Soon after reaching the shores of the Lune River estuary and for a mile or so the scenic views across the waterways are superb.

Travel past the bush site of Jagers Sawmill and Jetty through bush that lines either side of the track.  The line terminates at Deep Hole Bay, a large white swimming beach accessible only by rail.  The beach is nearly a mile long and very secluded.  From Deep Hole there are marked bush walking tracks to King George III monument where a convict ship sank with a huge loss of life.

At the end of the line you can take advantage of the BBQ and picnic facilities.  Bring your own lunch or have Meg’s Cafe cater for you.  Ida Bay Railway cater for group functions and will provide lunch for you if you wish either at the station or at the beach, all arrangements made on a personal basis.  Look out for the Twilight Tour during the holiday season and enjoy Tasmania’s starry nights!

Enjoy the 14km round trip from Lune River station travel through bush land abundant with bird life and wild flowers.  Cross buttongrass plains and travel along the banks of Ida Bay and Lune River Estuary.  The scenic water views are superb.  There are marked bush walking tracks to Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff.  Near Southport Bluff is the King George III monument which commemorates the 134 lives lost in the sinking of the convict ship, King George III in 1835.

Meet Meg at the Lune River Station and catch the Ida Bay Railway in southern Tassie

Deep Hole to Southport Lagoon

Southport Lagoon is accessible by a 50 minute walk from the end of the Ida Bay Railway line at Deep Hole.  The walk is over reasonable terrain and allows the walker to enjoy the peace and serenity of Southport Lagoon.  Many walkers catch a train in to the Deep Hole and complete the walk to Southport Lagoon.  Alternatively some walkers stay at the lagoon and catch the last train for the day from Deep Hole to return to the station.

Campers can also do the walk and elect to camp at Southport Lagoon for one or two nights returning to Deep Hole and catching the train back to the station.  Return trips on the train need to be negotiated with the railway’s running timetable.

The Friends of Ida Bay Historical Society Inc. was formed in September 2009 for the purpose of preserving and recording the history of Ida Bay Railway, Southport, Hastings, Lune River, Ida Bay, Recherche Bay, and Cockle Creek from 1792 to the present.

Travel through bushland to a secluded swimming beach at Deep Hole Bay

Ida Bay Railway Summer Timetable

Open every day except Friday 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm

Phone 03 6298 3110 (0428 383 262) or email Ida Bay Railway for more information

There are other things to do in the area to extend your visit.  You could also incorporate a trip to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs and/or the Tahune Airwalk near Geeveston in the Huon Valley; all part of the southern tourism region of Tasmania.

Allegra Biggs Dale is the co-owner of Labillardiere Estate on Bruny Island.
Her book called “Orchids of Bruny Island” includes her stunning photography.

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Map: Ida Bay Railway…