Kettering - Gordon
After leaving the ferry from Bruny Island we drove to Gordon and stopped overnight on the foreshore... A beautiful spot supplied by the town for a small fee.
Cygnet.
We did some shopping in Cygnet and bought meat from Cygnet Butcher who has won many awards for his meat products including sausages which were delicious. The town had some lovely buildings and we had coffee in The Red Velvet Lounge which showcases local Huon Valley produce.
From Cygnet we took the coast road following the Huon River, past the Gourmet Farmer's property to Huonville. The drive is one of the loveliest we have ever done with all kinds so 'scarecrows' at farm gates and views of bays, marinas and small settlements. We bought blueberries, apples and fresh vegetables along the way. We were planning to stop the night on the riverbank at Franklin which has one the best rowing courses in the country but there was a regatta and no room for us.
Geevestown.
We went to the information centre in Geevestown to find out about the Hartz Mountains and Tahune Forest Airwalk, took some photos of the many wood carvings in the timber town and camped behind the RSL Club which provides a beautiful area beside the creek. We stayed there two nights, unhitched and drove to Arve Rd and the Tahune Forest Reserve. We also had a drink in the club by way of a supportive 'thank you'!
On the way to the reserve we stopped to do a number of short walks which took us into the forest. It was damp, cool and silent and the trees huge. Magic!
This was a novel lookout where we stood on a platform at the end of a short walk and looked into a display items of forestry equipment in situ.
Glenn standing at the base of an 87m high swamp gum.
Next we went to the TAHUNE FOREST RESERVE, the name of which derives from Tahune-Linah, the Aboriginal name for the area around the Huon and Kermandie Rivers.
The AirWalk is 600 mts of see-through steel mesh walkway, suspended 20mtrs above the forest floor. There is a 24mt cantilevered section which juts out into the air, sways disconcertingly, but provides spectacular viewing of the confluence of the Huon and Picton Rivers. The views to the forest below and the mountains and rivers is fabulous!
There are a number of walks following the river through the forest as well which are beautiful.
Once again we met our friends from Singleton and had a good old chat. They were camped in on the riverside at Franklin ( where we couldn't fit)!
Stunning mushroom inside a dead log.
Two swinging bridges over the Huon River.
Glenn in the harness of the hang-glider which is latched to a 220mtr cable, about to take off on the Tahune Eagle Glide, 30 mtrs over the Huon river and forest. Great fun and a first for someone not comfortable with heights!
Coming in to land.
The town of Geevestown had a lot of large timber sculptures on the streets telling of the history of the area and its people.
We drove through the Cole Valley wine region towards Richmond and had a delightful lunch at Puddle Duck vineyard.... an amazing cheese platter and wine tasting. We bought a bottle of their wonderful Riesling to accompany our Bruny Is. oysters for dinner. Lovely!
Fat and creamy oysters.
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