From falls to hops

Mount Field is the oldest Tasmanian national park, close to Hobart, and very popular. I was there very early to beat the crowds.

Being so old, it was unusual in that the tree ferns were bigger, as were the gum trees higher up.

The easily reached Russell Falls is deemed the state’s favourite waterfall.

I liked the suspense of the creek at the top, just before it plunged over as a fall.

Horseshoe Falls were higher up, and I did think twice about taking on more steps, as I’d forgotten to bring my stick. I found a branch that did the job of keeping me safely stable.

The towering eucalypts were worth it, with large amounts of bark strips hanging from their levels.

On the way back this little pademelon was out late… but I was early.

In some areas the moss was different: a paler green, and in thicker clumps.

Any fungi was in papery leaves, on fallen timber. 

I regret that I was here too early in Autumn for much of the fungi for which Tasmania is famous, and that I didn’t get to the eastern part of Mt Field, as the Tarn Lakes would be a sight in later Autumn.

Leaving there, I lucked on a raspberry farm with tempting products from all sorts of berries, and delicious fresh ones like boysenberries.

I passed lots of Hydro Tasmania pipes and power stations; a huge and rather overwhelming enterprise over hill and dale.

And then I was in farm country, with vast hop fields and signs warning of hop harvesting vehicles.

Negotiating Hobart’s outskirts was the next challenge, but signage is plentiful here, amd I made it.