Tasmania – March, 2009

What a year it’s been. I had been waiting a long time for this trip because our last holiday to Tasmania was four years ago for the first time…brilliant… just like New Zealand, but on a smaller scale. Tyres and tyre changing gear were not taken on this trip, although I did take my small compressor so I could check the tyres. I knew there would be nothing handy where we were staying. The compressor was put to good use at Tullah.

The week before we left for Tassie I did an oil and filter change, serviced the air filter, fitted new tyres, serviced the chain and generally checked the bike all over including replacing the right hand fairing after another accident repair when it fell off the side stand at Mansfield. Clean bill of health, ready to rock and roll. Had Wednesday off, giving me time to pack bags and do the usual last minute checks. Weather looked a bit dodgy, so I put my Dri Rider gear on which proved to be the correct decision because it rained most of the way from home to the boat. Did the usual thing and waited in line to get on the boat.

Once we were on the boat and they had tied down the bikes, it was time to go upstairs and find our cabin, change out of my riding gear and get into something more comfortable. I had a light tea. Just as well, because once we were out of the heads, the sea turned a bit rough. Many people were sick. What a bloody trip. I can’t remember being that crook in a long time. The doggy bags were certainly well used.

We got off the boat at Devonport and went to Maccas and were there for an hour and a half. It was a struggle to have a few mouthfuls of black tea. I tried a mouthful of cold toast. From here we set off to Somerset, but I went in the wrong direction and we (Julie and Ron; the rest had long gone …Ed.) ended up just past Latrobe. Someone at a servo told me to go back the other way, back along the coast to Wynyard, because I missed the turn off at Somerset. The road from Wynyard to Yolla is a great little road. We stopped at Yolla for lunch and I managed to eat a salad sandwich and had a coffee, much to my stomach’s delight.

I certainly felt better, that’s for sure. Hellyer Gorge here we come. I encountered rain and a lot of leaf litter and sticks on the road, so just took it quietly. The intersection at the end of the Gorge is a bit tricky. Then on to Tullah. I was glad when we got there. Unpack the car and sit back and relax. I had struggled in the early part of the day and was glad the day was over. We all had quite a good meal here.

Day 2: The riders went to Savage River. At the top we split into two groups: Ben and Julie, Danny and Katrina, Tony Stegmar, Misho, Pina, Peter Feistl and myself went across the top to Corinna. The others, who shall remain nameless, went back the other way, the long way round on the road, to meet us at Zeehan. The trip across the top to Corinna was brilliant; the road was in reasonable condition, no dust or bog holes, and for those that didn’t go, you missed out.

At Corinna there were a few old houses. At the Tarkine Hotel cum General Store, we were able to buy tea and coffee. $2.00 got you a large mug of your choice. Peter Feistl came to the rescue with some biscuits his mum had given him. I think they were a bit of a life saver, Peter.

We sat at the outside table and chatted. Some wandered around and took photos, somewhere in the middle of nowhere on the Pieman River. Eventually we got on the Fatman Barge and were taken across the river. It cost us $7.00 each which was a good price, normally $10. We got a group discount. On the other side we had a photo shoot before we got going again. The road was in reasonable condition and I noted there were lots of bee hives in clearings on the side of the road.

It is 12 kms from Corinna to the T intersection (main road). From here it’s another 31 kms to Zeehan. What a beautiful road this is. Zeehan for lunch. No sign of the others… yet. We went into the shop and ordered lunch. I got a salad sandwich, which would have to be the best one I have had. It even had pineapple and egg. Nice. Top marks for the food. The others arrived about half an hour later after taking a detour.

After lunch we took the main road back to Tullah via Roseberry, then to Montezuma Falls, but only to the car park, because it was a 6 hour return trip by foot to the falls. We only went in a short distance before returning. The road in and out is bumpy and narrow with a few pot holes. The council was there fixing a few of them up. Back to Tullah. Tonight we went to the Top Pub at Rosebery pub for tea. Verna and Doreen had been the night before and had recommended it. Excellent pub grub.

Day 3: Ian, Renzo and I went in the car to Queenstown to do the trip on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. If you ever get the opportunity to do it, do so; you will not be disappointed. Worth every cent. There were two tickets you could buy, $195 which put you in the back carriage and you would have wine and cheese tasting and meats, plus the bus fare back to Queenstown. We opted for the cheaper one at $123 which included the bus back to Queenstown and lunch.

As we left Queenstown, there were a lot of black rabbits sitting on the grass and under the railway wagons. The first stop was Lynchford. The station building was a museum. Interesting. You could do gold panning out the back. Second stop was Rinadeena. It was at the top of the pass. After using the rack on the 1 in 16 grade, the lady giving the commentary said there were two sections that were 1 in 12 - which is steep.

We stopped to take on water. In the meantime we could get off the train and have a look around, take photos, usual stuff. I think the next stop was Dubbil Barril which was half way and lunch stop. They also turned the locomotive and the diesel shunter around on the turn table. The steamer has to take the carriages back down the track; the diesel takes the others back to Strahan.

On the way up, as we were going through one of the cuttings, the lady was telling us that they had a quantity surveyor work out that there were 92,000 wheel barrow loads of material taken out of the cutting.

They supplied us with a lunch box which consisted of a salad roll, pasties, biscuits and cheese, a couple of truffles, tea, coffee and an apple from the kitchen. Very nice. It was raining so everyone was hiding in the little alcoves on the platform, or having their lunch in the carriage.

After lunch we headed down hill and followed the King River back to the station at Regatta Point across the bay from Strahan. The King River is a rust colour due to the contamination caused by the mining at Queenstown all those years ago. Once at Regatta Point we caught the bus to Strahan. Then we had a two hour wait for the bus back to Queenstown.

The saw mill on the water front is only one of three that is allowed to cut Huon Pine in Tassie. We watched them cut a large piece of pine with a vertical saw that was designed by Leonardo da Vinci and was powered by a large 50 horse electric motor. Very interesting. A boat load of tourists pulled up as the piece of wood was being cut. Ern Reeders should have been there. The man gave us a run down on all the different bits of wood.

Ian, Renzo and I did a bit of window shopping, had a coffee and something to eat at the bakery. Then caught the bus back to Queenstown. We had a bit of a look around the place, took photos, usual stuff, got back in the car and drove back to Tullah. We went to the Roseberry Pub again and had the evening meal. A good time was had by all.

Day 4: Today we head for Hobart. The morning was fresh. Tyre pressures were checked. Everyone was anxious to get away. Verna and Doreen, Julie Johnston and Julie Warden headed off before us bikers. I decided to wear my Dri-Rider gear because I wasn’t going to freeze while we were still up in the high country. It’s easier to get rid of some clothing than put it on.

From Tullah we went via the Plimsoll Way to Queenstown and stopped at the lookout part way up. The front runners caught up with the girls here. I think they would have liked to stop and had a look, but couldn’t because there were too many other vehicles. Usual stuff, photo shoot, observe the scenery. The hills look a little greener than four years ago. At the top of the hill, Ben wanted to take us to have a look at some big hole in the ground but…the road was closed with gates so we couldn’t.

From here to Derwent Bridge the road was brilliant. We passed the girls near the Franklin River, I think! We stopped at Derwent Bridge for a hot drink and something to eat. HUGE lamingtons seemed to be the order of the day. Peter Fiestl had his cut in half and had cream put in it. Next stop was Tarraleah. This was an old hydro village that was going to be bulldozed. A year or so ago it was featured in a magazine and on telly and ended up being bought for a few thousand dollars. Bargain.

All the houses have been refurbished along with the large building at the other end. The houses are rented out if you wish to take a holiday. There is also a caravan park with self contained cabins. We parked the bikes and walked to the lookout to see the huge pipes that carry the water to the power station, hundreds of feet below. Interesting…

Next stop was Ouse for petrol and food. Long awaited I can tell you. It was alright when we arrived, but there ended up being a couple of mini buses full of people. Some of the food orders were mixed up. Not everyone was happy.

From Ouse we travelled about six kms down the road and turned into the Ellendale road. We were in a few kms, held up behind a horse float. The driver of the car behind the float was waving his hands indicating for us not to pass until the float had pulled into the weigh area. I think the horse must have been a bit jumpy.

A few more kms in I have come across the hill a bit quick and failed to take the bend. The rest is history and so is the bike. It has gone to motorcycle heaven in Tasmania. Had to get a tow truck. Cliff had to go back to Ouse and come back. The others carried on. I had to ride in the tow truck till we met the ambulance and then I changed vehicles and got delivered to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

X-rays were taken at the hospital: two broken ribs and some bruising. Julie and Verna arrived at the hospital to see me and take me back to the motel for a few days. I was a little sore, but otherwise okay. You will have to wait till next month for the next instalment.

Ron Johnston