http://vimeo.com/26537014
Congratulations to all the Sino-British students graduating this week, especially the BA(Hons)Events Management students, University of Huddersfield UK, in partnership with the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
Best wishes
Fleur and David
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Manuka campground, Arthur River
GPS: S41.02.704' E 144.40.052'
Arriving mid-afternoon, we register at the Parks and Wildlife Service Office. There are lots of clear laminated posters with warnings about going off-road. An off-road permit is $80.00 per year, and only introduced this year to deter foolhardy behaviour. There are dramatic pictures of what happens to vehicles that try to cross flooded tracks or get caught in treacherous quicksand on the beach.
We prefer to play it safe and opt for $13.00 for an unpowered site in Manuka campground. There are several water points, new, very clean (conventional) toilets, and clearly visible fire hydrant points. Manuka is as huge as a couple of football grounds and well protected, but there are only seven caravans, one slide-on camper and two tents.
It's quite a balmy afternoon, perfect for a beach wedding, but the weather turns cooler with some light showers during the night. Hearing every piece of tent flapping, leaves swishing and wallabies pounding by, the phone alarm at 6.00am is welcome. The air is fresh, the skies promise some sunshine and the beach is waiting (after the obligatory wake-up cuppa). We have the beach to the northern side of the Arthur River to ourselves for more than an hour, and delight in attempts to capture the morning light on 'Australia Rock', and the waves. Foam bubbles soar along the top of the hard sand, and huge driftwood pieces masquerade as ancient dinosaurs. A lone seagull keeps a close watch for an easy breakfast and three cormorants spread their wings on a half- submerged log. How lucky is that - a rainbow breaks through the clouds, beginning and ending in the sea. A perfect beginning to Sunday!
Arriving mid-afternoon, we register at the Parks and Wildlife Service Office. There are lots of clear laminated posters with warnings about going off-road. An off-road permit is $80.00 per year, and only introduced this year to deter foolhardy behaviour. There are dramatic pictures of what happens to vehicles that try to cross flooded tracks or get caught in treacherous quicksand on the beach.
We prefer to play it safe and opt for $13.00 for an unpowered site in Manuka campground. There are several water points, new, very clean (conventional) toilets, and clearly visible fire hydrant points. Manuka is as huge as a couple of football grounds and well protected, but there are only seven caravans, one slide-on camper and two tents.
It's quite a balmy afternoon, perfect for a beach wedding, but the weather turns cooler with some light showers during the night. Hearing every piece of tent flapping, leaves swishing and wallabies pounding by, the phone alarm at 6.00am is welcome. The air is fresh, the skies promise some sunshine and the beach is waiting (after the obligatory wake-up cuppa). We have the beach to the northern side of the Arthur River to ourselves for more than an hour, and delight in attempts to capture the morning light on 'Australia Rock', and the waves. Foam bubbles soar along the top of the hard sand, and huge driftwood pieces masquerade as ancient dinosaurs. A lone seagull keeps a close watch for an easy breakfast and three cormorants spread their wings on a half- submerged log. How lucky is that - a rainbow breaks through the clouds, beginning and ending in the sea. A perfect beginning to Sunday!
Friday, 25 February 2011
Calm at Hell's Gates
28-30 January
GPS: S:42.13.368. E:145.13.672
Approaching Strahan from Queenstown and ready for coffee, we gave this a wide berth when we were confronted by unwelcoming parking meters. We continued on the gravel road, and were surprised to find that the large Macquarie Heads campsite area was half empty. However it was reported that Christmas - New Year is very crowded and noisy.
A $6.00 per site overnight fee for unpowered sites is a small fee to pay for the large caretaking responsibilities, waste disposal skip bin, water, dump site and pit toilets (loo paper supplied)!
This campsite is sheltered, and close to the beach - fishing, beachcombing and long refreshing walks to the Heads and then the very long Ocean Beach are on offer. A perfect place for leisurely unwinding today, a completely different perspective to that of the convicts forced here in the 19th century.For history see:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Tasmania/Strahan/2005/0
What is your experience of free / minimal fee camping on this wild west coast?
In the shadow of Mt Roland
21-23 January
O'Neill's Creek Cradle Mt Road between Sheffield and Moina GPS S:41 28.007 E:146 13.191
Heavy rain and flooding over this camp site earlier in the month curtailed our camping. However on this weekend, although the creek was flowing fast, it was warm and sunny.
This is a free camping site, with several trees and electricity poles running through the middle. There are signs warning of the risk of branches falling. Luckily, we were spared falling branch damage, but had to beware of gumnuts, twigs and small red spiders.
There is a shelter shed with a mural and signage that tells the story of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, who honeymooned in the Roland area, and saw Cradle Mountain and the potential for a National Park for the first time from the peak.
The walk to the peak of Roland from the carpark near O'Neill's Creek is estimated to take 4-6 hours, and is a moderate to difficult walk. The two other walks to Mt van Dyke and Mt Claude are shorter, and also quite demanding.
For those seeking something softer, there is a delightful rainforest walk next to the campground, with numbered signposts and a matching explanatory brochure organised by Outlook Mt. Roland, 'a volunteer group promoting sustainable recreation in the Mt Roland Regional Reserve.' In their brochure on the Roland walks, it is noted that 'free-range camping is permitted' on Mt Roland.
What is your experience of free camping in the north-west of Tasmania?
Heavy rain and flooding over this camp site earlier in the month curtailed our camping. However on this weekend, although the creek was flowing fast, it was warm and sunny.
This is a free camping site, with several trees and electricity poles running through the middle. There are signs warning of the risk of branches falling. Luckily, we were spared falling branch damage, but had to beware of gumnuts, twigs and small red spiders.
There is a shelter shed with a mural and signage that tells the story of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, who honeymooned in the Roland area, and saw Cradle Mountain and the potential for a National Park for the first time from the peak.
The walk to the peak of Roland from the carpark near O'Neill's Creek is estimated to take 4-6 hours, and is a moderate to difficult walk. The two other walks to Mt van Dyke and Mt Claude are shorter, and also quite demanding.
For those seeking something softer, there is a delightful rainforest walk next to the campground, with numbered signposts and a matching explanatory brochure organised by Outlook Mt. Roland, 'a volunteer group promoting sustainable recreation in the Mt Roland Regional Reserve.' In their brochure on the Roland walks, it is noted that 'free-range camping is permitted' on Mt Roland.
What is your experience of free camping in the north-west of Tasmania?
The Western Edge
28 December
Marrawah Green Point GPS: S40.54.596; E 144.40.786
Arrive at 3.00pm; this free camp site is a small grassy slope, edged with a fence with long grasses - somewhere in the grass there are small trees growing, and lots of superb fairy wrens that are not in the slightest bit shy!
On site already is one Winnebago, one large tent, an Active camper that slides on to a ute and a small tent with one bike. Some 4WDs inspect the site and then move on, but by 6.30pm, there are a total of 7 tents, two interstate campervans, a flat top truck with a tarpaulin over the back and one large dog!
The site is unpowered, has no shade trees, but there are two picnic benches with seats, and nearby on the beach front are public toilets, a cold open shower and a barbeque rotunda. The Parks ranger posted a Discovery activity poster here.
The nearby surf beaches are fabulous according to our surfing tent neighbours who lived in the area before moving south; and it is also great to walk the long beach and at low tide inspect the many rockpools..this was a Discovery activity listed for the next day.
Apart from a strong allergic reaction to the tall grasses,feeling refreshed by this short break - both the landscape, seascape and the amiable chats with our fellow campers.
Marrawah Green Point GPS: S40.54.596; E 144.40.786
Arrive at 3.00pm; this free camp site is a small grassy slope, edged with a fence with long grasses - somewhere in the grass there are small trees growing, and lots of superb fairy wrens that are not in the slightest bit shy!
On site already is one Winnebago, one large tent, an Active camper that slides on to a ute and a small tent with one bike. Some 4WDs inspect the site and then move on, but by 6.30pm, there are a total of 7 tents, two interstate campervans, a flat top truck with a tarpaulin over the back and one large dog!
The site is unpowered, has no shade trees, but there are two picnic benches with seats, and nearby on the beach front are public toilets, a cold open shower and a barbeque rotunda. The Parks ranger posted a Discovery activity poster here.
The nearby surf beaches are fabulous according to our surfing tent neighbours who lived in the area before moving south; and it is also great to walk the long beach and at low tide inspect the many rockpools..this was a Discovery activity listed for the next day.
Apart from a strong allergic reaction to the tall grasses,feeling refreshed by this short break - both the landscape, seascape and the amiable chats with our fellow campers.
Narawntapu National Park
17 December
Narawntapu National Park, formerly the Asbestos Ranges and sometimes known as Bakers Beach is about one hour east of Devonport. Heavy rain, flash floods and hail in Devonport threaten our planned camping. Undeterred, we keep driving. By the time we reach Narawntapu, the rain stops, the sun is shining and wombats, pademelons and Forrester kangaroos are out on the plains. Heartened by signs of three other pairs of campers, we set up the tent... a perfect David Attenborough moment and sans camera, a pademelon family just metres from us caress gently for several minutes as the joey nibbles grass near his Mum's paws. This image will probably remain crystal clear for us as we focus our attention on quietly observing the animals rather than capturing the perfect picture.
No need for alarm clocks here; the wallabies are pounding past the tent at 5.00am. I unzip the flaps to see one investigating the yellow guy ropes. For up close encounters, this spot is magnificent!
Pied oyster catchers seen out on an early morning walk on Bakers Beach. There is good signage here- keep below the water line to avoid damaging any nests. There is also a short walk to a bird hide beside a lagoon from Springlawn Campsite. Well worth a visit!
Narawntapu National Park, formerly the Asbestos Ranges and sometimes known as Bakers Beach is about one hour east of Devonport. Heavy rain, flash floods and hail in Devonport threaten our planned camping. Undeterred, we keep driving. By the time we reach Narawntapu, the rain stops, the sun is shining and wombats, pademelons and Forrester kangaroos are out on the plains. Heartened by signs of three other pairs of campers, we set up the tent... a perfect David Attenborough moment and sans camera, a pademelon family just metres from us caress gently for several minutes as the joey nibbles grass near his Mum's paws. This image will probably remain crystal clear for us as we focus our attention on quietly observing the animals rather than capturing the perfect picture.
No need for alarm clocks here; the wallabies are pounding past the tent at 5.00am. I unzip the flaps to see one investigating the yellow guy ropes. For up close encounters, this spot is magnificent!
Pied oyster catchers seen out on an early morning walk on Bakers Beach. There is good signage here- keep below the water line to avoid damaging any nests. There is also a short walk to a bird hide beside a lagoon from Springlawn Campsite. Well worth a visit!
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