Hydro’s Highland

Having chosen the Highland Lakes Road because, to an ancestral highlander, it sounded romantic, I was disappointed that these lakes were basically a chain of dams for the Hydro-electric scheme. 

Stocked with fish, especially trout, they are sporadically edged by several clusters, like Miena, of small cabins/cottages/shacks, for keen fishers and boaters.

It is harsh stony country, so not otherwise appealing.

Amidst these rocky Tiers like Baker’s Tier are the Steppes, where Steven Walker (the same sculptor who did the whale at Cockle Creek) had donated a series of complex bronze nature sculptures, affixed to standing stones.

They do not photograph well, as small, dark and complicated.

As the weather varied during the day, I often found myself driving past paddocks with mountains and mist behind them. So typically Tasmanian.

Or through forest-edged roads with rocky crags towering above them. 

I know I am once again close to Cradle Mountain … but this is Tasmania… and to get a feel for the country I have been doing a lot of circling.

I passed over many similarly rushing rivers; I think this was the Mersey — or the Meander — or one such. Part of the reason for this post was to keep track of  where I had been, but I drove for such long distances on back roads that I lacked the energy to stop and take photos… and it is the photos which drive the blog.

The Alum Cliffs (Tulampanga) are steep and stunning. This was an important site for women to gather special ochre for their ceremonies.

I did enjoy the walk up to the Cliffs, as it goes through eucalypt forest, where large trees manage to grow even in this extremely rocky ground. 

Does this mean I am over moss? And tree ferns?

Whilst I’ve now driven on quite a few corrugated dirt roads, Tasmania has many small tarred roads, all numbered and leading somewhere, so criss-crossing the countryside or the forests is not a drama; I loved driving through the Mole Creek Karst National Park, for example.

But, heading for Launceston, I am dreading once more coming into a city… and getting lost.