Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Wildlife’ Category

Fern Glade Reserve is a perfect example of the extremes in environment found in Tasmania.   Drive barely 4kms from the centre of Burnie, a city on the north west coast with an industrial port no less, and you arrive at this peaceful, natural oasis.  The Emu River runs through the valley, and promises an opportunity to see a Tasmanian platypus… if you’re lucky!

Emu River runs through Fern Glade Reserve, only 4kms from the heart of Burnie

Fern Glade Reserve: On A Platypus Mission

During our recent stay in Burnie, we went to Fern Glade Reserve knowing it offered the best chance to see a platypus.  And we really wanted to see one.  Desperately!  So we timed our visit for early evening; apparently this would give us the best chance to see the elusive, semi-aquatic mammal.

The level path that runs along the edge of the Emu River is dotted with interpretive signs about the platypus.  The mammal is endemic to eastern Australia, but the Tasmanian platypus is larger than its mainland counterpart, and spends more time on land.  With the entrance to their burrows often built above the water-line, your chances of a successful search should be higher in Tasmania than in other parts of the country.

The walking track at Fern Glade is dotted with viewing platforms over Emu River

There’s a sculpture not far from the entrance, showing what to look for.  We knew the key was searching in silence, so we cajoled the kids into toning down their enthusiasm for the mission.  And we were at Fern Glade at the optimum time.  Surely we’d see one?  We looked, and looked, and looked… but nothing!

Platypus sculpture at the entrance to Fern Glade Reserve, showing what to look for

Looking, looking... but no platypus sighting for us at Fern Glade this time!

Walking Tracks, Tree Ferns & Native Orchids

Thankfully, there’s other reasons to enjoy Fern Glade.  A young couple quietly ate their take-away dinner at the water’s edge, with their Auto Hertz rental car parked a few metres away.  While the tourists ate their burgers, we ventured along the walking track, lined by massive tree ferns.

You can drive into the reserve via the main entrance off Fernglade Road, or from a second entrance 500m up-river.  Visitors have access to barbecue and picnic facilities; and strategically-placed viewing platforms have been built out over the water’s edge.

The walking track at Fern Glade is flanked by picnic tables and barbecue facilities

But Fern Glade Reserve does have another major attraction for flora (rather than fauna) enthusiasts.  Native orchids grow along the trail… more than a dozen species, apparently.  Probably much easier to find than a platypus!

Fern Glade Reserve is also home to native orchids, on the banks of Emu River

Lynn to the Platypus Rescue!

When Lynn Gorman read about our failed attempt at platypus-spotting, as we compared it to our earlier strike-out in Deloraine, she wrote…

Deloraine definitely has platypus in the river.  We stayed in the caravan park on the river bank, took an evening walk and spent at least 30mins on the footbridge watching a platypus swimming around.  Managed to get lots of photos and even some video!  It’s just a matter of knowing where to go and being in the right place at the right time; sundown is best.

Lynn is also the reader who sent us photos of novelty mailboxes taken during her Tasmanian holiday to share.  This time, she’s provided a photo of the platypus she watched during her visit to Deloraine…

Lynn Gorman spots a platypus in the river at Deloraine during her Tasmanian holiday

The real thing actually looks very similar to what’s represented in the sculpture, and gives us hope that one day, we will spot one.  Whether it happens in Fern Glade Reserve, Deloraine, or maybe even Geeveston or Latrobe (the town is promoted as the Platypus Capital of the World, after all)… time will tell.

Maybe we'll have more luck at Latrobe, the Platypus Capital of the World (Photo by Dan Fellow)

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Map: Fern Glade Reserve, Tasmania…

Coastal Town of Penguin

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

The pretty coastal town of Penguin on Tasmania’s north west coast is located 137kms from Launceston; 17kms east of Burnie and 31kms west of Devonport.  It has a population of around 5,500 and it acquired the name from the fairy penguins, which live around its coastline.  Penguin is nestled in a very scenic spot right beside the beautiful waters of Bass Strait with the impressive Dial Range sitting behind the town towards the south.

The foreshore of the coastal town of Penguin, including the Big One!

Eating and Staying in Penguin

Penguin is a popular tourist destination with a number of excellent cafes and restaurants.  It’s well known by surrounding locals as the place to eat out on a weekend.  There are great places to have a meal like Wild Café Restaurant, Renaessance, The Groovy Penguin, Shady Grove Cafe and Casablanca at the Surf Lifesaving Club.  There’s also a really nice bakery right near the beach.

The range of accommodation options for such a small town is surprising, with two hotels, a caravan park, B&B’s and holiday apartments.  The coastal town of Penguin still retains that laid back, small town feel… wonderful when you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or visiting for the day.  While wandering around the shops of Penguin if you need a perfect gift or something special for yourself, call into Nest in Main Street.  This is a splendid shop that stocks a very nice range of local artisan merchandise.

Things to Do in Penguin

There are lots of things to do in Penguin.  Why not check out the penguins that visit each evening between November and March.  Have your photo taken with the 3.15 metre Big Penguin in the beachfront park.  It’s apparently the largest Penguin in the world.  And while you’re walking down Main Street have a look at the penguin garbage bins along the way.  A much nicer alternative to regular ones!

The Uniting Church, the Bakery bin and the Big Penguin

Admire Penguin Uniting Church and St. Stephens Anglican Church, both old churches in Main Street.  There’s the replica Dutch windmill in Hiscutt Park, which was presented to the people of Penguin to commemorate the Dutch settlers of the area and the Dutch explorers who were the first Europeans to discover Tasmania.

Just west of the Uniting Church is Johnsons Beach Reef.  It’s a popular place at low tide for exploring when the reef is exposed.

Shopping at the Penguin Sunday Markets

The Penguin Sunday Markets are very popular, with more than 200 stalls.  They are Tasmania’s largest undercover markets.  There’s a lot to see at the markets with stalls ranging from food, antiques and collectables, books, art and craft.

Shopping for antiques and collectables in the coastal town of Penguin, Tasmania

Penguin Sunday Markets, on the north west coast of Tasmania, one of the state's best markets

There’s a great lolly shop, with a large assortment of all types of lollies.  And we can’t forget the Tasmanian woodwork, jewellery, gift-ware, fruit and veggies, clothing and live music.  There’s always so much to see at the Penguin Sunday Markets.

The lolly shop! A highlight of every coastal town, Penguin included

Bush-Walking in Penguin

If you’re the energetic sort there are some great reserve walks just behind Penguin in the Dial Range.  Walks range from 30 mins to 2 hours that cater to all fitness levels, with wonderful scenery along the way.  Call into the Penguin Tourist Information Centre in Main Street while you’re in town to get all the info on Penguin and surrounds, or phone them on (03) 64371421.

The deep blue seas of Bass Strait make the drive to Penguin a memorable one

A great way to get to the coastal town of Penguin with terrific views across Bass Strait, is to take the coast road from Ulverstone or via Sulphur Creek from Burnie.  This is such a pretty drive and well worth the diversion from the Bass Highway.

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: Coastal Town of Penguin, Tasmania…

Naracoopa Cottages: Meet the Hosts

by Roger Findlay

When Jeanette and I stayed at the Naracoopa Cottages (King Island) in 2009 we experienced exceptional hospitality from our hosts John and Rhonda.  For this reason I contacted the couple to ask them how they do it and a bit about themselves.  I hope you enjoy what I’ve written from their extensive notes and I thank them for giving me the opportunity.

John and Rhonda: a Love Story!

John’s brother, Bert, works at the hospital on King Island and so does Rhonda.  About eleven years ago, Melbourne based John decided he needed a sea change and asked his brother if he could find him a date!  As in every romance, John met Rhonda they fell in love and married not long after.

Introducing Rhonda and John, owners of Naracoopa Cottages on King Island

I observed their love for each other.  Every morning John opens the front gate for Rhonda as she leaves for work.  He keeps the home fires burning and in the evening he opens the gate and greets her as she returns.

Naracoopa Cottages: a New Lease on Life

It was a wrench for John to leave a good job in Melbourne, his son and his dog (Mojo), but it was something he had to do.  Initially John worked a variety of jobs and lived at Rhonda’s house in Currie, but he was keen to move elsewhere.  One day they were driving along the Esplanade in Naracoopa.  They were aware that the Naracoopa Cottages had been on the market for years and the owner had recently lost her husband.  Noticing how run-down the buildings were, John sensed the time was right to make an offer.  The offer was accepted and the refurbishing began.

John devoted all his time to the repair and restoration of the buildings and the garden.  In his spare time, he looked for ways of increasing business.  He taught himself how to use a computer; he designed a website and learned the tricks to getting his business on the first page of Google.

All this time, Rhonda kept going in and out to the hospital job and John opened and closed the gate with Mojo, not far from his heel.  Love Is!

Former faithful companion at Naracoopa Cottages, John's beloved "Mojo"

John and Rhonda Meet Charlie!

One day, Rhonda had the brilliant idea of decorating the front lawn with a boat and jetty.  To her surprise, John and his son set about the project by acquiring an old Aurora Energy power pole for a slab of beer.  Abalone fisherman, Robert Jordan, had a leaky boat that couldn’t be fixed and then along came Charlie!

John bought Charlie on eBay.  She was the most attractive mannequin he could find.  She arrived by King Island Airlines and she turned plenty of heads as John drove his naked passenger up and down the main drag of Currie doing the macho thing:  blockies!  King Island is a small place and news travels fast.  The phone began to ring as Rhonda received reports of her husband’s new lady friend.

Charlie (now dressed as a man) provides some interest at Naracoopa Cottages

Charlie now sits on the jetty next to the boat on the lawn.  But John decided to dress her as a man to deter the local young bucks who seem to be interested in anything in a skirt!

Over to You John…

One of the great things about running the Naracoopa Cottages is the amount of really nice people that cross our paths.  We try to be as friendly and helpful as possible to our guests but are also aware and very mindful of the fine line between being friendly and invading their space.

Last year we won two awards (showing off now!):

• Winner Westpac Business Excellence Awards for Tourism 2011
• Winner Westpac Business Excellence Awards for Customer Service 2011.

John & Rhonda: proud of their award-winning Naracoopa Cottages

Naracoopa Cottages are also Number One for King Island with Trip Advisor reviews.

Rhonda and I also do our bit as volunteer members of the Naracoopa Progress Association.  We keep the foreshore areas clean and tidy, procure and erect playground equipment, foreshore seating, signage etc.

King Island Birds and Wildlife

We are striving towards being self-sustaining with a healthy orchard and vegetable plot, but are forever having problems with the wildlife versus our garden: 1600 people; 600,000 wallabies, innumerable possums…  Oh well, I guess we share!  The wildlife is so abundant.

I also became quite interested in birds because of the variety of bird-life on our property to the extent of developing a website on King Island birds.  There is an interesting article about saving the whales beached at Naracoopa a few years ago.

John & Rhonda Meet Julia Gillard

The prime minister even came here last July.  It was about 8am on a Saturday morning.  It was about the carbon tax issue:  she inspected our solar and wind power installations.  She must have been up fairly early to be here at 8am, considering the time it takes to fly here.  And to cover her face with make-up!

Julia Gillard visited Naracoopa Cottages to inspect energy-saving measures

I have another photo of her and I and it looks like we’re coming out of the pub in Currie!  I sent it to friends and family with the caption ‘Jules and I on a pub crawl’.  In real life she comes across as a genuine and nice person.

With over 600,000 wallabies on the island, you can now understand
why John has to open and close the gate to Naracoopa Cottages!
Or is it to keep the young ladies away from Charlie?  ~ Roger

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Map: Naracoopa Cottages, King Island Tasmania…

Would you like to join an Adventure Cruise and write about the experience?  That was the question posed to us by the marketing manager at Bruny Island Cruises.  Here at Think Tasmania we love to cover award-winning tourism ventures, and for the last four years this one has been voted the best tourist attraction in Tasmania.  That category has some pretty hot competition so this mob are obviously good.  My problem was this: when sea-legs (and maybe even bravery) were handed out, I was obviously holding the door!

Take an adventure cruise to the south of Tasmania via Bruny Island

Adventure Cruise: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Avoiding this adventure cruise just because I’m a big chicken, would have been seriously negligent.  We are dedicated to writing about all things Tasmanian, after all.  So we booked ourselves aboard.  And I’m very happy to report that I survived the day with the contents of my stomach entirely intact.  Not only that, I found the experience exhilarating and truly worthy of all the accolades.

Join the multi award-winning Bruny Island Cruises at Franklin Wharf, Hobart

Originally, I planned to give you my “top five” features of the Bruny Island Adventure Cruise.  But I honestly couldn’t narrow the list down to only five.  So here’s my thoughts about the day…

The Staff ~ these guys are first class!  You won’t ever meet a group of people more considerate and caring; funny and friendly; or passionate about their jobs than the team who work for Rob Pennicott.  He’s chosen his staff very well.  Everyone from the check-in counter and the cafe; to the boat and the bus drivers… they’re all 100% committed to providing efficient and competent service with a really big smile.

Skipper Mick and tour guide Matt: excellence in professional customer service

The Bus Tour ~ joining the full-day tour meant boarding a bus at the docks in Hobart.  Immediately, we were on a journey rather than just a drive.  Matt, our completely gorgeous 23-year-old driver, was upbeat and knowledgeable, pointing out features and giving us insights into Hobart.  The “best Italian restaurant” and a “cool maritime pub” as we drove through Battery Point; then Wrest Point Casino over in Sandy Bay.  People were included in the conversation, and it seemed like a day out with friends rather than strangers who’d just met.

The bus at Elizabeth Pier, ready to take passengers to Adventure Bay, Bruny Island

Kettering ~ we arrived at the Huon Valley ferry terminal 20 minutes before the Mirambeena was scheduled to leave for Bruny Island.  That gave us time to grab our first coffee for the day and check out the marina.  Not a bad little collection of boats!

Buy a morning coffee and check out the Kettering Marina.

Bruny Island ~ after a 15 minute, smooth-as crossing, we began our drive to Adventure Bay on the cusp of South Bruny National Park.  Along the way, Matt gave us details of food producers, wildlife, farming, fishing and beaches.  We saw enough to know it’s somewhere we need to visit again as soon as possible.

Vehicles and passengers boarding the Bruny Island Ferry (Mirambeena)

Rob Pennicott ~ once we’d been served our morning tea in the cafe, we joined with other adventure cruise customers.  Some had arrived under their own steam and others had joined the bus convoy in Kettering.  Rob thanked us all for coming, gave an amusing talk and wished us an exciting time.  It was a joy to meet the current Tasmanian of the Year, widely known as a philanthropist and pioneer of the eco-tourism industry.

Gavin meets Rob Pennicott, Tasmanian of the Year 2012

The Boats ~ we made our way to the Adventure Bay jetty and boarded the bright yellow machines, ready to take on the adventure cruise.  Our skipper for the day, Mick Souter, (who was also utterly gorgeous) was joined by Matt, Malcolm and a mixture of young, old, excited and nervous passengers; about 45 in total.  Everyone had a terrific view, and it didn’t take long to realise the engines were pretty powerful as we zipped out into the bay.

Boarding boats at the Adventure Bay jetty, ready to explore the coast of Bruny Island

Bruny Island adventure cruise boat ~ Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

The Adventure Cruise ~ fed a brief safety talk, some ginger tablets and a few jokes, our three-hour tour to the Southern Ocean was then underway.   “It’s not meant to be easy” were Mick’s exact words as he took the wheel with a glint in his eye.  At that moment, I considered jumping off and swimming back to the safety of the cafe.  But I would’ve missed one of the best things I’ve done in Tasmania so far.  The cliffs, the caves, the wildlife, the ocean.  All mesmerising and breathtaking, and something you have to see for yourself to really appreciate.

Amazing caves and the aqua-green-blue colours of the Bruny Island coast

Take a thrilling wild ride between the cliffs and the rock formations

Seals ~ if I had to choose a single highlight from the day, it would be the Australian and New Zealand Fur Seals.  Friar Rocks, at the southern-most point of the Bruny Island adventure cruise, host a huge colony of the mammals.  They weren’t in the least perturbed by our presence or the insane amount of photographs we were taking.  Some seals swam around the boat; others continued to laze on the rocks.  Amazing!  But here’s a challenge for you:  imagine the smell of 1000 roomies; all blokes!  Soon to be launched as a signature scent… not likely!

Seals at the southern end of Bruny Island, basking on Friar Rocks

Lunch ~ unfortunately, we returned from Friar Rocks without a dolphin sighting.  Apparently the calmer the day, the less likely the sighting.  But I’d take a calm day anytime!  And we were treated to chocolate biscuits as a consolation prize, so that’s not so bad.  Hot soup, gourmet salad rolls and drinks were ready for us back at Adventure Bay, and we had another chance to mingle and compare photos as we enjoyed a lovely lunch.

Hot soup, gourmet salad rolls, drinks and complimentary chocolates for lunch

Bonus Points ~ giving people more than they’re expecting… often the difference between a good business and a great one.  Chocolates with lunch (the way to my heart), and then the hint of more surprises to come as we boarded the bus for the homeward drive.  Between the cafe and the ferry, we stopped ever-so briefly at Get Shucked Oysters and Bruny Island Smokehouse with just enough time to buy a few goodies.  And as one last considerate gesture, Matt offered to take a detour in Hobart to deliver passengers directly to their accommodation.  What a gem!

Complete the adventure cruise with a visit to Get Shucked Oysters, Bruny Island

Bruny Island Cruises: Other Important Details…

This report wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention seasickness.  My advice would be: plan ahead for the possibility of rough weather.  Remember Mick’s words about making it to the Southern Ocean!  I took my own tablets with morning tea, and then took two ginger tablets (provided by Bruny Island Cruises) on board.  Stay calm, keep cool and embrace the awesome experience… if I can do it, anyone can do it!  Remember my scardy-cat credentials?

Journey to the Southern Ocean; an adventure cruise of a lifetime!

Keeping cool shouldn’t actually be a problem.  The weather was calm and the temperature 28C when we joined Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, but the boats go really fast and you are in southern Tassie.  Naturally, it’s going to get cold.  Pack a jumper!  And if you’re a really cold frog, also pack a beanie and some gloves.  There’s room on board to carry a small backpack with warm clothes, sunscreen and a drink bottle.  Each passenger is provided with a red spray jacket.  It’s a long, poncho-style number (so if you were determined to wear a dress on an adventure cruise, you’d still be covered).

The signature yellow Bruny Island Cruises boats, with red spray jackets

Follow the Yellow Boat Road

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the good work of Rob Pennicott, Mick Souter and their cameraman Zorro Gamarnik.  After my three-hour eco-adventure cruise, I have a renewed appreciate for their 2011 endeavour:  the first-ever circumnavigation of Australia in an outboard-driven boat.  Between June 2nd and September 11th, they travelled around the entire cost of Australia… in two dinghies!

That might seem a little crazy, and maybe that’s true; but the Follow the Yellow Boat Road campaign was devised to raise money for the world-wide eradication of polio.  92% of proceeds from the journey were donated to Rotary for this cause, and the rest will continue the important conservation works of the Pennicott Foundation.  Inspiring.

Think Tasmania travelled as guests of Bruny Island Cruises.
For more information, visit their website or phone (03) 6293 1465

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Map: Bruny Island Adventure Cruise…

Ferndene Gorge State Reserve

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Ferndene Gorge State Reserve is nestled between the foot hills of the Dial Range, six kms south of Penguin.  It is one of the region’s best kept secret places.  We have lived in this region for over twelve months now and didn’t even know it existed.  One day we happened to come across Ferndene Gorge by chance while driving along Ironcliffe Road.  What a hidden treasure it is, and so easy to get to!

Cross the bridge over the creek as you walk in the Ferndene Gorge State Reserve

Gorge Yourself at Ferndene

Turning off Ironcliffe Road at the Ferndene Gorge State Reserve’s bright blue sign, you enter the attractive, shady picnic area.  There is plenty of parking, a well maintained toilet block, bar-b-que, outside picnic tables and under-cover picnic tables.  It’s a great spot for a picnic lunch or early morning breakfast while listening to the many bird calls that sound out around this forest reserve.

Ferndene Gorge entrance, marked by a blue Tasmanian State Reserve sign

Plenty of parking available at the Ferndene State Reserve near Penguin, Tasmania

Mining Features, Man Ferns & Magical Fauna

Just off to the left of the covered picnic area and over a little bridge is the walk to Thorsby’s Tunnel, an old silver mine shaft.  You will also pass Brownings Tunnel along the way; both are left over from bygone mining days.  This is a very pleasant and easy walk, with just one gentle incline mid-way along the track.

Remnants from bygone mining days in Tasmania: Thorsby's Tunnel

At the start of the walk there’s a large grove of very tall Man Ferns or Tree Ferns.  These stately and beautiful sentinels of the state reserve do a fabulous job guarding the entrance to this stunning walk.

The aptly named Ferndene, has tall ferns lining the walking tracks

Like so many of Tasmania’s national park and reserve walks, as you wander along you are accompanied by the sight and sound of a beautiful, clear water bush creek running parallel with the path.  We encountered a few pademelons having a morning drink before they quickly scampered off with a thud of their tails.

Pleasant walking experience: a creek running through Ferndene Gorge

Dial Range Walking Tracks

When you reach the Thorsby’s Tunnel sign, there is another walk that takes off to the right.  This one goes to Mt Dial and Mt Gnomon so if you are feeling energetic you can walk on further and discover more of this interesting area.  The Dial Range has a whole system of walking tracks.  Depending on your fitness level and experience, you can choose…

• Ferndene Walk (30 mins)
• Tall Trees (45 mins)
• Leven River (40-60 mins)
• Mount Montgomery (2 hrs)
• Mount Gnomon (2 hrs)

All of these are accessed via Ironcliffe Road.  For more information about these walks you can purchase a Dial Range Recreation Map from the Penguin Visitor Centre across the road from the Big Penguin.  If you’re after a very pretty and relaxing (but not too strenuous) walk, then Ferndene Reserve is the one for you.  Very easy to get to; you don’t need a four-wheel drive and it’s not far off the Bass Highway.

Ferndene Gorge State Reserve has walking tracks to suit every fitness level

There are also many interesting options in this region for the experienced walker, including the Penguin Cradle Trail.  This walk starts at the Dial Range, continues through Gunns Plains and the Leven Canyon, then on to Black Bluff and Cradle Mountain.  The walk follows a wide and diverse variety of landscapes along the way.

If you’re interested in doing the Penguin Cradle Trail and have bush walking experience, check out the North West Walking Club website.  It has lots of interesting information about walking in this region.

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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Map: Ferndene Gorge State Reserve, Tasmania…

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…