Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Tasmania travels - Queenstown to Lake St Clair

Leaving Strahan after an action packed couple of days, we headed along the winding highway through the forest towards Queenstown. The historic mining town, once the world’s richest, was still sleeping as we drove through the main street and began the climb into the hills beyond.

Queenstown, Tasmania


The dense green forest soon gave way to a more barren landscape, comprising bare brown land and grey rocky cliffs. 

Iron Blow Lookout Tasmania

















Iron Blow Lookout was our next stop. The cantilevered lookout stretched out into the air above a former open cut mine, once buzzing with workers and machinery, now a deep green lake. 
All around, the earth was sliced open and scarred, but there was small sections of green regrowth amongst the rubble. 

Iron Blow Lookout Tasmania

Iron Blow Lookout Tasmania

















We moved on to more natural surroundings, by stopping at Nelson Falls. The 20  minute walk is one of the 60 Great Short Walks in Tasmania and we took great delight in ticking off quite a few of these walks on our roadtrip.

Nelson Falls Tasmania Great Short Walks


















Further along, we drove through beautiful countryside, where kangaroos are tough enough to lift tourist cars with their bare hands. 😆

The Rivers Run Touring Route Tasmania



Lake St Clair was our lunch stop, where we took a (Great Short)walk around the lake, imagined hiking the Overland track and crossed paths with a tiger snake. 

Lake St Clair Great Short Walk Tasmania

Lake St Clair Great Short Walk Tasmania Overland


Lake St Clair Great Short Walk Tasmania



Tarraleah was our next stop on the highway. Once a thriving town, built to accommodate the workers of the Hydro Electric plant, it’s now a fascinating little village of quirky,  pastel coloured Art Deco cottages, reminiscent of the 1930’s. Privately owned, it is accessible by booking accommodation there. 

Tarraleah Tasmania


I loved it. I want to live there. With this guy in my front yard. 

Tarraleah Tasmania


The long and winding road continued to Hobart, where we were greeted with a lovely welcome pack at the Graham Apartments. The perfect start to our Hobart stay. 
Highly reccommended!

What: Tasmanian Touring Routes
Where: Lake St Clair
Why: walks,  history, scenery
When: daily 
How much: discounted Parks Tas pass through  RACV

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