Out For A Drive

We've been feeling so, so sad with all the news of the fires, then hearing about Natasha, Robert and the little girls that we haven't done anything for the past few days. Today we decided to get away from the TV for a while and take ourselves off for a drive through the local area.

We left here and went to the Pyengana Cheese factory. The car park was right beside the cow track down to the dairy and was so smelly-things didn't get off to a good start! The cheeses were expensive and not all they were cracked up to be. Nevermind.

Welderborough Pass Rainforest Walk


On top of Weldboruough pass, we took a walk through an ancient Myrtle rainforest. It was just a short walk, but really beautiful. So green and peaceful. Just what we've been needing.

Our next stop was for a wander up and down the main street of Derby. It's a funny little former copper mining town that has a few cafes, galleries, gift shops a Tin Centre (too expensive for us) and a couple of pubs. It was an enjoyable walk though past some lovely old buildings-library, old police station, churches and schools.

Branxholme Pub


We stopped in Branxholme (another mining and hop growing town) for lunch at an old country pub. As the only customers we figured lunch would be either great or gross-it was great. We had a chicken schnitzel and parmiagana with chips and salad-all super fresh, crispy and well cooked. The publican was friendly and took a few minutes to give us a local map and discuss the route we'd decided on for the rest of our drive. He really knew about HOSPITALITY. Something else we've noticed on any drive we've been on is how well Tasmania caters for free campers. The areas are large, clean, tidy and usually have toilets. They are usually well signposted.

Ledgerwood War Memorial


He told us that Ledgerwood with it's carved war memorial wasn't to be missed. It was really quite moving-the cyprus trees the figures are carved from were originally planted as an avenue of honour after WW1 so the carvings are really appropriate. There wasn't much more to the town-the milk factory is now bottling VIRGIN spring water (probably from a tap out the back we reckoned!)



There was even less at the tiny town of Mathinna. We felt it was very like the ghost town of Gwalia we visited in WA's central gold region-except for the people!

Evercreech Forest Reserve with it's huge white gums was beautiful too. The largest, at 91 metres, is one of the tallest trees in Tasmania. The reserve had excellent faciities-toilets, fires, wood, a great picnic shelter and we were the only ones there.

Evercreech Forest Reserve


All in all a lovely drive through some steep hilly country and some very peacefull little valleys. A good day out!