Scottsdale and NE Rail Trail - November 2014

We decided to pop up to Scottsdale and test out our lovely new (non-assisted, yes we want to put more effort into our recreational riding now!) bikes on the new North East Rail Trail.  It was a lovely weekend and we had quite a busy morning.  Di helped to set up the bike valet parking at the Sustainable Living Festival and then we took a tour around the stalls before starting to pack Wanda for our trip.

We finally left Hobart about 1pm.  The day was hot and blustery, with a total fire ban in the south.  We headed straight up to Launceston, wanting to get there as quickly as possible.  Our first stop was beside quiet Lake Dulverton in Oatlands, where we enjoyed watching the birdlife as well as eating our gourmet picnic lunch.  It was surprising to find that most of the shops in Oatlands were closed on a Saturday.

Some last minute shopping for charcoal beads in Perth was unsuccessful, but the giant Bunnings at Kingsmeadows had them. 

The drive along the A3 (the Tasman Highway) from Launceston to Scottsdale was winding and pretty.  This was the view from The Sideling, looking down towards Scottsdale:

Our low cost camping guide suggested a peaceful picnic area as a (no facilities) overnight campsite in the forest just south of Springfield, and we found it quite easily.  Yes, it was secluded and private, a large lush meadow hidden in a pine plantation, with solid picnic tables and one remaining functional bbq.  We were the only visitors there and loved it.  

The picnic area was well sheltered from winds by the surrounding forest, and in the quiet evening we could indulge in some bird watching.  I counted:  Yellow throated honeyeater; Black cockatoos;  Forest raven;   Falcon;  Black headed honeyeaters, but there were heaps more.

Robert tried out our excellent camping barbecue, and produced a very tasty bbq chicken w potatoes and salad.

After dinner, the coals came in useful to create a toasty campfire:

Timing it well, a light rain started just as we were starting to think about bed, and it was lovely lying in bed listening to the rain on the roof.  Handily, there was a little shelter just the right size to keep our bikes dry too :).

Sunday morning was cool and overcast.  We hit the town of Scottsdale, hoping to find a good cafe. The town was looking well maintained, with the newsagent, Woollies and a couple of cafes open.  I counted three ATMs.  Sadly the bakery that had been recommended to us was closed, and we didn't spot the boutique brewery or the bike shop.  

At the Information Centre we enquired about how to find the Rail Trail.  We were provided with directions, a detailed map and a NE MTB newsletter, a good start.  Coffee at the Scottsdale Steak Out was OK.

4km to the east, the Rail Trail is well signposted off the highway at Tonganah, onto Tonganah Rd:

Unfortunately the signage is less helpful at the actual start of the trail.  An arrow towards the trail would have been useful, as you could be forgiven for thinking that the ploughed up remains of the old railway line is meant to be the trail.  You wouldn't ride a bike along that!  The rail trail sign has been vandalised, with the "Motor" part of the "Motorbikes Prohibited" sign peeled off.  Clearly there is a bit of competition around here from the trail bikers.

But there is a gravel road departing from the left of the carpark so we decided to see if that would lead us to the rail trail, and it did.

The first section of the trail was fairly smooth, on service roads alongside the old track, and very pleasant riding.  There was a sign missing where we should have turned right to cross the old line, and we soon found ourselves back at the highway!  Backtracking, we found where we should have turned, and just beyond that we found (at last) a couple of useful signs.  Here the track inclines up a small hill and then maintains a very slight incline for several kilometres.  

 There are some very pretty patches, such as this fern-lined cutting:

Unfortunately, we found the track heavy going, as the gravel was a very coarse size, in patches often 2-3cm.

This made picking our way a bit of a chore, and particularly didn't suit Robert's commuter bike.  My hybrid could make it, but it wasn't exactly a relaxing ride.  So we turned around after about 3 km and enjoyed the downhill run back to the beginning. MTBs are the best bike for this ride, until the surface is covered with a finer gravel.

Back on the road and heading toward Derby, we saw where the current rail trail ends back at the highway at Billycock Hill.  Riders then have to manage on the highway for a short stretch before the trail resumes in the direction of Legerwood.  Apparently there are no cafes for end of trip refreshments at Legerwood (take your own coffee!). 

In Derby the locals are eagerly awaiting the new world class MTB trails currently under construction there (Cascade Forest Trails), which are due to be launched in mid December.   At Hobbyts Dragon Art Co-op, local craftswoman Carla is making bike jewellery - pendants, earrings and keyrings made from wire and buttons.  Also chain link bracelets, pendants and earrings.  I couldn't resist!

We found the evocative Chinese memorial at Moorina, where the early Chinese miners were cremated or buried.  The traditional burial involved the bones being dug up several years later and shipped back to the family home in China.  Moorina used to be the main tin mining town in the area - all gone now! 

Coast along the Coast - February 2014

We decided to join Paul (Basil) O'Halloran on a pre-election organised Sunday bike ride (Coast along the Coast) in the North West.  It was Regatta Day weekend in the south, so it would be a nice long weekend for us.

Our plan for our first night was to be under Mt Roland.  We headed north up the Midlands Highway and stopped for a picnic lunch on the banks of the Elizabeth River, in Campbelltown.

Ambling through the back streets we saw some fascinating old cottages.  Feeling adventurous we decided to check out some new routes, and turned off the highway just after Campbelltown, onto Macquarie Road.   The quiet country roads were lovely, and we passed the centre of the Tasmanian poppy industry as well.  Eventually we came upon Woolmers Estate and soon were rolling through the village of Longley.

Turning left coming out of Longley, we ducked under the Bass Highway and took the Heritage Route westwards along Meander Valley Highway and Meander Valley Rd, passing through Westbury and  stopping briefly at Deloraine. We discovered we were on the route of the Great Western Tiers Rides, and passed several of the signposts where riders might stop and listen to the podcast descriptions of the local attractions.

Out of Deloraine, we headed west on Mole Creek Main Rd,  now on the lookout for potential campsites. We passed the Melita Honey Farm, and then the Mole Creek Caravan Park, but turned into the hills to cut north through to Mt Roland. The Gog Hills were lovely, but we soon came upon the area known as Paradise.  It is now Paradise Lost, with the previously lush farmlands now overtaken by forestry operations, and the remnant farms looking pretty depressed.

At about this time we noticed a bit of smoke in the air, and my check of the Emergency app mentioned a fire at Claude Rd.  We popped out of the forests onto (guess what) Claude Rd, and the smoke was coming from the west, right where we needed to go!  But as we drove through the Claude Rd village, we passed a bunch of firefighters relaxing with a beer in the CFS shed, and figured that the fire must now be under control.

Arriving at Gowrie Park Wilderness Village, we were underwhelmed by the "wilderness appeal".  The powered van sites were crammed together on a gravel parking area just next to the road,with a couple of token trees.  We chose a more pleasant piece of lawn behind the communal buildings, screened by trees and with reasonable views of Mt Roland towering up behind us.

Next morning we drove through Sheffield and took a quick look at the shops and the murals.  We were due at Turners Beach at 11.30am, so we couldn't linger for coffee.  At Turners Beach we eventually found the meeting point, Gables Park, at the far eastern end of the esplanade.

By 11.30 about a dozen other keen bike riders had arrived, and we met Basil, the energetic Greens MHA for Braddon. We cycled along the Coastal Pathway towards Ulverstone, on a mixture of offroad shared paths and quiet local streets.  It was lovely.

Once at Ulverstone, the protected pathways came to an end and we ventured further west to inspect where the Coastal Pathway could be extended to.  We stopped at the fantastic geological marvel that is Goat Island.  Basil used to be a high school geography teacher, and his enthusiastic description of the geological events of 520 million years ago was inspiring. The colours, twists and folds in the conglomerate rocks were incredible to see.

Basil and the Cradle Coast Authority have a great vision for the shared NW Coastal Pathway, that it be extended along the coast to provide a great drawcard for geo-tourism, food and adventure tourism.

It was starting to rain as we headed Wanda eastwards.  After Devonport we once again left the main road, switching to Frankford Road and other backroads, till we came out on the West Tamar Highway around Beaconsfield. Turning left, we arrived at Greens Beach as the wind was worsening.  We took a site in the Caravan Park in the lee of a permanent van and settled in for the night. Here we discovered that the power cable connection to our bike rack had got caught on something on the road and been torn to pieces, rats! A walk along the beach revealed it is a lovely spot for family holidaymaking, and has great views over Port Dalrymple.

Next morning the storm had passed and it was a gorgeous day.

We rode up along the headland to overlook Badger Head and Narawntapu National Park.  That would be another nice place to visit!  Heading Wanda southwards, we stopped in to see the platypuses at Beauty Point, and also enjoyed seeing the echnidnas there.  It was nice to run into old friends Ken and Dianne there.  We thought we would have lunch at Strathlynn,

but the restaurant was closed, so next we tried the restaurant at Josef Chromy Wines.  What a treat - the food and wines were excellent, as were the views over the vineyard.  After a quick stop at Evandale at the Tasmanian Sauce Company for more of our favourite Kasoundi curry sauce, we were on our way home. One last diversion was taking the Richmond Road from Jericho.