Robin Cartledge's Tasmanian Travel Guide

Some Facts About the Tasman Peninsula There is much more to the Tasman Peninsula than just the Port Arthur Prison, so I headed off to document some of it for you. Pugsley and Albert join the Eaglehawk Neck Dog line In further posts I will be looking at some of the weird and wonderful points of interest including: Eaglehawk Neck dog-line, Convict Coal Mine, Australia's First (convict powered) Railway,  and Unzoo , along with the towns of Nubeena , the largest town on the Tasman Peninsula; Eaglehawk Neck and Tarawa - as well as details of the many available caravan parks, RV and tent campsites, so it would be well worth your time to bookmark this blog for future reference. Lying to the south and west of Eaglehawk Neck, the Tasman Peninsula has an area of 660 square kilometres and a population of around 2,200 permanent residents. Given that there is an overload of information around on Port Arthur, I will concentrate more, in this series of posts, on the rest of...

Convict Coal Mine ruins at Saltwater River The main Convict Precinct   Excavated in 1833, the coal mines were used to punish the worst convicts, who worked here in extremely poor conditions.   Developed to limit the colony’s dependence on costly imported coal from New South Wales, as well as serving as a place of punishment for the “worst class” of convicts from Port Arthur, the mine was operational for over 40 years. The main section of the site with the car-park upper left  Coal Mine Walks There are ten walks in the area - each with its own specific interests, including: 1. Convict Precinct - a 30-minute return walk of 800 metres which covers the main buildings and ruins in the convict precinct.   2. Tramway and Beach Walk - a one km, 40-minute walk to inspect the area where the tramway ran down to the beach and where the coal was loaded. : "Along the shore you can see small lumps of red and black material. The red material is coal ...

Taranna Taranna is a tiny hamlet on the Arthur Highway, on the way to Port Arthur, around 10km from Eaglehawk Neck, with an estimated population of 277 residents. It is believed that 'taranna' is the local Aboriginal word for 'kangaroo'. Taranna's main attractions are the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Unzoo , the Tasman Historical Museum & Coffee Shop , and The Norfolk Bay Convict Station . Its real claim to fame, however, is that it was the terminus for the infamous human 'railway' which ran between  the jetty at Little Norfolk Bay and Port Arthur and was powered by four convicts pushing the carriages along the crude 7 km of track. Norfolk Bay and Port Arthur Tramway ~~~~~~ NOTE: Clicking on 'coordinates' will take you to the appropriate Google map. The Norfolk Bay Convict Station   Norfolk Bay Convict Station, originally the Commissariat Store, was built in 1842. It is a red and white-roofed building on a s...

Eaglehawk Neck   Versicherungen Eaglehawk Neck: A Breathtaking Tasmanian Gem Perched on the Tasman Peninsula, approximately 2.5 hours from Hobart, Eaglehawk Neck is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This narrow isthmus connects the peninsula to the Forestier Peninsula and offers stunning views, unique wildlife, and fascinating history. Things to Do:      Tessellated Pavement: Explore the fascinating rock formation resembling a mosaic or tessellation. This natural wonder is a result of the unique way the rocks have been eroded over time.     Eaglehawk Neck Blowhole: Witness the power of the ocean as waves crash through the blowhole, sending sprays of water high into the air.     The Pirates Bay: Enjoy the scenic views and tranquil atmosphere of this picturesque bay, perfect for picnics or relaxation.     Tasmanian Devil Conservation: Visit the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park to lear...

Visiting Evandale   I can't help but smile whenever I am in this beautiful village because I need do nothing more than to walk/drive around taking in the architecture and the atmosphere to feel fully satisfied. Pflege-Vorsorge Heritage Walk Booklet To add some depth and colour to your visit, you can pick up a Heritage Walk booklet (available from the Evandale Tourist Information Centre and spend half a day walking around this magnificent heritage listed village, or visit on a Sunday and include a couple of hours at the large weekly markets. Throw in a meal or two at any of the local eateries, or a picnic lunch in one of the pleasant parks and you have a fulfilling day done. The Tourist Information Centre is at 18 High Street, Evandale  Along with its history and preserved architectural beauty, Evandale is also known for its long-running Sunday market and as host to the annual World Penny Farthing bicycle Championships - held annually in February. The...

A guest post - by Luke Hine-Haycock Saw Back Track Disappointment Blue line marks the Saw Back Track       Having been told that the Saw Back Track was an extreme 4wd experience, a few mates and I decided to give it a go. Sadly the track was a little disappointing for me, as I only found two challenging parts - the first one was a clay hill with a washed out step up in it and the second one was a muddy water hole. Although the Saw Back Track was a little disappointing the Mt Field National Park area has a lot to offer and see. Results of the clay step-up Entry Requirements From Bothwell we drove approx. 71km to the Mt Field National Park visitor centre, where we got the key and permits for the Saw Back track - a $300 refundable deposit was charged for the key. Mt Field National Park visitor centre  We had to fill out some permits to be able to get the key which required our licences and rego. numbers.  A park's pass is also ...

East Beach Tourist Park  I popped in yesterday to meet the owner of the East Beach Tourist Park, at Low Head, and discovered a delightful lady whose husband passed away around a year ago, leaving her to carve out a lifestyle with their developing caravan/tourist park. East Beach Tourist Park at Low Head has  a unique facade which attracts  tens  of thousands of visitors per year.    The striking Macrocarpa wood carvings are the work of Eddie Freeman and was commissioned by the late Kenneth Plumstead, the previous park owner, and is the largest privately owned collection of its type in Australia.  With these exquisite tree carvings at the front door and East Beach and the Bass Straight at the rear, this park is the ideal place to spend a day, or a month, exploring the region. East Beach, Low Head East Beach, looking to the east The Wester...