Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Wildlife’ Category

Dinosaurs have arrived at Tasmania Zoo at Riverside (18kms from the CBD of Launceston) in the north of the state.  January 6th saw the official launch of the new tours;  Dan Fellow, our favourite professional tourism photographer, was there to capture all the action.  As usual, Dan lets his camera do most of the talking.  He does predict the dinosaurs will be “a great attraction” though.

Dinosaurs now on show at Tasmania Zoo; guided tours only

Tasmania Zoo: Jurassic Swamp Dinosaurs

Robert Warren is the operations manager at Tasmania Zoo.  He and his father Dick are responsible for the new exhibit dubbed Jurassic Swamp, which took two months to set up.  Forty dinosaurs were in place from the outset, with a few more to storm in to the Tamar Valley region over time.

The brilliant colours of this fibreglass dinosaur are on show at Tasmania Zoo

Dan Fellow attended the official launch of the new dinosaurs at Tasmania Zoo

Look out... dinosaurs on the ground and in the air!

Guided Tours

The only way the dinosaurs can be viewed by the general public is via guided tours.  The zoo has made a substantial investment to add the fibreglass creatures to their wildlife park.  But there’s no additional charge to see the dinosaurs in their new Tasmanian bush home.  The tours are included in the park’s entry price and operate daily at 11am and 2pm.

The dinosaurs make a very scary impression on tourists visiting Tasmania Zoo

Who would have thought? Dinosaurs at a zoo in Tasmania!

Scattered through the native Tasmanian bush, dinosaurs are set to scare you!

So if you like the idea of coming face to face with huge, scary dinosaurs in what used to be a tranquil bush setting… Tasmania Zoo might be just right for you!  The tourists from Western Australia (photographed by Dan with the dinosaurs) seem pretty impressed with the brand new attraction.

Tourists from West Australia meet with the new dinosaurs at Tasmania Zoo

Dinosaurs have arrived in Tasmania!! Meet them in Riverside... if you dare!

All the way from WA, tourists get to confront the dinosaurs at Tasmania Zoo

Not Just Dinosaurs…

Of course, there’s other reasons to visit.   Tasmania Zoo is spread over 900 acres and boasts a large collection of native and exotic animals.  Birds, Tasmanian Devils, penguins, crocodiles, wombats, echidnas, kangaroos, quolls, reptiles and monkeys all make the list.

For more information about feeding times for the Tasmanian Devils
or details of the dinosaurs at Tasmania Zoo phone (03) 6396 6100

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Map: Tasmania Zoo Dinosaurs…

Wind Generators in Tasmania

by Roger Findlay

One of the windiest places I have ever visited apart from Cape Town RSA is in the north east region of Tasmania.  If you have been following the news you would have heard of Musselroe Bay and the controversial plans to erect giant wind generators along the coastline.

Musselroe Bay, north east Tasmania... proposed site for more wind generators

Many people are concerned about the impact on the local bird life including the two types of eagle and the Forty Spotted Pardalote as well as the visual effects.

A Meeting with Khalid near Montagu

Almost ten years ago, Jeanette and I stayed at a B&B in Smithton and it was there that we met Khalid who was using the facility as a base for his studies.  Khalid (an Iraqi) was quite a character.  He had studied in the UK and was known as the Greasy Arab!  He had more money than all of the other students and a flash car that made him extremely popular.  Like me, Khalid loved a beer and we enjoyed his company on a night out at the Smithton Club.

A view of Montagu Island from Stony Point, north west Tasmania

Khalid also had a small caravan out on the tiny Montagu Island not far from Montagu.  By chance, we met him on his way back from the island.  He had waded across on low tide.  He told us of the caravan with no power and the several days of solitude when he was out there doing his job.

A Study of the Effect on Birds

As a bird expert and the co-author of a major book, Khalid had been contracted by the Victorian Government to study the impact of wind generators on bird life.  Part of this assignment was to assess the number and types of bird on Montagu Island.

Up close to the wind generators on King Island, north west Tasmania

It was good to hear that in all his time conducting the study he had never seen a bird that had been killed by the giant wind mill blades.  He suggested that birds would move away from the area but then return once they got used to the sound of the rotating blades.

King Island & Woolnorth Wind Generators

We haven’t been close to the wind generators at Woolnorth but we have been very close to those on King Island.  Because of the natural wind noise, it was hard to gauge how loud the wind generators were but I guess they were much quieter than we had expected.

Wind generators at Woolnorth in the far north west of Tasmania

If ever you find yourself up at Woolnorth, take the short drive to Montagu and the reserve at Stony Point.  It is a beautiful natural setting for camping or parking the caravan.  Look over to Motagu Island.  Who knows… you may even see the Greasy Arab going about this most unusual task.

Stony Point in north west Tasmania... an interesting place to visit

Read more about the Tasmanian wind generators at
Woolnorth and King Island (and other sites) at the  website of
Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources

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Map: Places Mentioned in this Wind Generators Article…

The Tasmanian Devil photos we publish on Think Tasmania always receive lots of feedback.  So we’ve compiled a video and added a little background music, so you can enjoy a few of them in one go!!

Tasmanian Devil Photos were Taken…

Many of the Tasmanian Devil photos shown in the video were taken by Dan Fellow of Tasmania Photos.  Others were taken during visits to the following Tasmanian wildlife parks…

• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
• East Coast Natureworld
• Wings Wildlife Park

Baby Tasmanian Devil at Wings Wildlife Park, Gunns Plains

We threw in a couple of images showing Tassie Devils made by Tasmanian Softies just to see if you were paying attention!

We’ve talked about the attraction or appeal of the Tasmanian Devil before, and there’s no doubting the creature is special.  Let’s hope efforts to Save the Tasmanian Devil are successful.

Have your own Tasmanian Devil photos you’d like to share with the world?
Just contact Think Tasmania and we’ll make that happen.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Tasmanian Devil Photos…

Narawntapu National Park

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Narawntapu National Park, a large 4349-hectare park, is located in the north west region of Tasmania.  It’s boundaries stretch from Bakers Point, across the Rubicon River from Port Sorell, to Pebbly Beach just north of Greens Beach at the entrance of the Tamar River.  It was first declared a National Park in 1976 and has beautiful long sandy beaches, freshwater lagoons and a sandstone range increasing to 392 metres at the highest point.

Sand for miles and rock pools to explore: Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania

Bakers Beach, Narawntapu National Park, north west coast of Tasmania

Flora & Fauna; Birds & Bushwalking

There’s a visitor centre on site providing all the information needed about the park and payment of entry fees.  There’s also displays of the wildlife and plant life found within the park…  Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, Tasmanian pademelons and wombats.  For the bird fancier there are many species to be found around the wetlands area.

There are numerous walks you can take to view the wide variety of wildlife; from one hour right up to nine hours in duration.  Whatever your fitness level you are sure to find one just right for you, and if you’d like to be informed along the way there are ranger-led walks as well.

Oyster Catchers on the beach in the Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania

Camping & Fishing; Swimming & Horse Riding

Narawntapu National Park is popular with locals and visitors alike for camping, picnics, fishing, swimming, hiking and horse riding.  You can come for the day or stay for longer and bring your caravan or camping gear.  Toilets are located in each camping ground, and token operated hot showers are available at the powered sites near the visitor centre.

There are picnic areas dotted around the park and a boat ramp is provided at Bakers Point.  A section of Springlawn Beach is set aside for water skiing between 1st November and 30th April.

Horse riding along the beach on the north west coast of Tasmania... divine!

Getting There…

Narawntapu National Park is easily accessed from Frankford Road (B71).  There is a bitumen road into the park as far as the visitor centre and from there to Bakers Beach, Griffiths Point and Bakers Point there are good dirt roads that are suitable for 2 wheel drive vehicles.

For more information about Narawntapu National Park visit the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife website or phone (03) 62486277.

Vast expanses of sandy beaches, and interesting things to do in Tasmania

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: Narawntapu National Park Tasmania…

Bill Flowers and Jennifer Rowlands

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Bill Flowers and Jennifer Rowlands are not only partners in the world of art, but are also partners in love as well.  At the recent Truly Tasmanian Craft Fair in Latrobe I was lucky enough to view the joint display of work by both Jennifer Rowlands and Bill Flowers.  The crowd of people stopping to admire the artwork were very impressed and delighted by what they saw.  If you can catch their work on show somewhere, do yourself a favour and go take a look.  Meanwhile, I’d like to introduce two very talented Tasmanian artists…

Bill Flowers & Jennifer Rowlands at the Truly Tasmanian Craft Fair in Latrobe

Bill Flowers

I first came across the artwork of Bill Flowers when I visited Arts On Fire 2011 at Penguin, which is a showcase for visual, creative and performing arts from across the north west region of Tasmania.  I was really drawn by the quirkiness of his Tasmanian Devil pictures on display.  I just loved the way he had painted similar scenes from renowned paintings and added a Tassie Devil or two.

His wonderful Celtic snakes are great; and who couldn’t love the facial expressions he has captured in his wombat paintings.  I love Bill’s artwork because of the way he depicts his animal subjects.  They just make me smile!

Bill Flowers piece titled Desert Beauty

Bill Flowers artwork titled The Ambush

Bill has studied art, however his drawing and painting techniques are all self taught.  He feels that the best art training comes from real life experiences.  He has been working with Tasmanian wildlife as a rescuer and educator for many years now.  The love he has for animals really shines through in his drawings and paintings.

Bill has led a very busy life having been an Adult Education art teacher and photographer.  He’s managed studios and art galleries and has worked in film and television as an animal wrangler, co-presenter, co-writer and co-director.  He has also exhibited art work in many galleries throughout Tasmania and parts of the USA.  If you haven’t been lucky enough to catch Bill’s work at any of his exhibitions, try the Bill Flowers YouTube channel.  You can also buy Bill Flowers art on Redbubble.

Tasmanian Devil: Starry Tasmanian Night, a painting by Bill Flowers

Jennifer Rowlands

I’ve only recently come across the artwork of Jennifer Rowlands, and I must say I was immediately taken with it.  I think what strikes me is the freshness in the faces of her subjects.  The whimsical way she paints the animals makes me want to hug them; just like the people in her paintings.  Jennifer has a great understanding of nature and has spent most her life raising and caring for native animals.  She has also worked in a wildlife park.  I think to accurately paint something well you need a good appreciation of your subjects and judging by Jennifer’s work she definitely has this quality.  You can find Jennifer Rowlands on Redbubble.

Cute Turtle: Artwork by Jennifer Rowlands from north west Tasmania

The Pharoah, artwork by Jennifer Rowlands

Best Friends by Jennifer Rowlands

Jennifer Rowlands also paints Tasmanian wildlife: Devil Resting

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.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Stay in a Bicheno holiday house and write an article for Think Tasmania about the experience.  Gee… let me ponder that for a moment.  Okay.  Yes, I’ll do it.  In fact, let me sign up right now before you change your mind.  So we signed; we stayed and now we give you the details.

Visit the beach on the east coast of Tasmania and stay in this beautiful Bicheno holiday house

Bicheno Holiday House: Break Away

We have stayed in Bicheno before and absolutely love the place to bits.  It’s just such a relaxing and unhurried place, with gorgeous views in every direction.  And if that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for, a break from the reality of every-day stress, this Bicheno holiday house couldn’t be better.

Beautiful sunset colours over the Bicheno beach horizon towards Swansea

We arrived in the evening, driving from Hobart after school had finished for the day.  The journey up the east coast via Sorrel, Buckland, Orford, Triabunna and Swansea takes a little over two hours and is a pleasant drive.  We ate at the Beachfront Hotel, where the service was speedy and the meals were good.  But we really just wanted to get to the beach house and settle in.

Suntrap Cove is perched high on the hill to take advantage of the spectacular views

Suntrap Cove: Views for Days

Suntrap Cove, as the Bicheno holiday house is named, is on the Esplanade near the well-known Bicheno blowhole.  The house is elevated, with the living area facing the Tasman Sea, and as soon as you walk in, you just know you’ll never want to leave.  The views over the orange, lichen-covered rocks and further out to sea are magnificent, no matter what time of day.

Daytime views of the Tasman Sea from the balcony of the Bicheno holiday house

As day turns to night, the views over the lichen rocks in Bicheno are still stunning

Moonlight over the Tasman Sea and the orange, lichen-covered rocks of Bicheno

Obviously, we spent a lot of our time gazing out to sea.  You can watch whales during their migration, right from the balcony!  We forgot to pack our binoculars, even though we knew whale-spotting was on the agenda.  But Rob and Louise had some propped up on the side-table ready for us.  We should have known they would provide such extra touches.  They also own Alice’s Cottages in Launceston and have a reputation for exceeding the expectations of their guests.

Watching for whales, seals and birds in Bicheno (that's a seal on the rock... honest!!)

What you Want; What you Need

The kitchen is well-equipped, and there’s a bbq on the balcony if you decide to cook your own meals.  There’s no real need to bring supplies with you from home, as the town has an excellent bakery and butcher, and of course you can source fresh seafood.

You couldn't ask for a better place to cook the barbecue for a casual meal

A short walk from this Bicheno holiday house will have you on the rocks peering into the blowhole.  The kids loved searching for crabs that scurried between the boulders.  We peeked under one rock, only to be faced with a penguin!  It was a weekend filled with wildlife, actually.  We could see seals from the balcony, and we had birds so brave they’d take bread from our outstretched hands!

The blowhole is only a short walk from this Bicheno holiday house

A penguin on the rocks near the blowhole in Bicheno

Bird-watching (or feeding!) from the balcony of the Bicheno holiday house

Blissful Bicheno Holiday House

We were in the market for a chilled-out weekend.  We played cards and board-games and watched a DVD in between walks to the beach.  The couch was a great place to read a book!  All three bedrooms had really comfortable beds with plenty of room for the whole family to claim their own space.

Playing cards and board games... a pleasant family weekend at the Bicheno beach

While we were tempted to spend the entire weekend tucked up in our wonderful Bicheno holiday house, we did venture out for a drive north.  We had a fabulous lunch at the Iron House Brewery and investigated more things to do in the town.  We did a little shopping; did a little snorkeling from the jetty… and did a few other things we’ll have to tell you about another time!!

Glass Bottom Boat tours explore The Gulch at Bicheno in Tasmania

The writer and her family were guests at Suntrap Cove
For more details of the Bicheno Holiday House visit the website
or phone Rob and Louise Widdowson (03) 6334 2231

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Map: Bicheno Holiday House, Suntrap Cove…

Buttongrass: Celebrating 40 Years

Buttongrass is the title of a newsletter published by the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service.  It is distributed twice each year, in summer and winter, to people owning a National Parks pass.  It’s a great way to keep up to date with projects and events concerning the parks and reserves around the state…

The articles and photographs reflect the diversity of our State’s natural assets and the broad range of expertise required to manage, protect and promote them.

40th anniversary edition of Buttongrass, Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania

The current edition of Buttongrass celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.  It highlights some of the magnificent work done by the organisation, and gives an insight into the natural assets being enjoyed by locals and visitors to Tasmania.

I contacted Ms Liz Wren, the editor of Buttongrass, and with her permission have included a link to the current newsletter.  Enjoy!

Buttongrass – November 2011, 40th Anniversary Special Edition

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