We left Bagdad about 8am and headed down to New Norfolk and out along the road towards the Gordon River Rd. along the way we picked up our friends Carol and Geoff who we have seemed to travel the same areas in past year or so.
The road started out with a blue skies and really a nice day and as we drove along getting higher the weather changed to a foggy over cast day, but it did not rain.
The road started out with a blue skies and really a nice day and as we drove along getting higher the weather changed to a foggy over cast day, but it did not rain.
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As we climbed up towards the dam you are struck by the changes in the landscape and of course it is cold and the cloud cover added to the feel of the area we passed by and the best was we saw it completely different on the way back as the weather had cleared, so as you go down the page will see the change.
By just the green and fog you see it in a different way and as you see below by just going Black and white the feel on the landscape does change a lot.
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From this shots taken some 3 hrs apart the fog lifted and we slowly got to see the rugged rocks as they are not hidden under clouds or snow as they will be in a few weeks.
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As we passed by this cutting the wall were a silver glowing wall due to the rock and the water which just runs down the face of the hills and it is hard to get a really good shot of the colours.
The below shots are of one the power stations here, we were high above it and you could hear the hum of the station, and if you look at the photos you can see the dam is down by a bit and with the coming winter rains and snow it will fill quickly, the white line from water to tree line gives you a good idea of the level drop.
The below shots are of one the power stations here, we were high above it and you could hear the hum of the station, and if you look at the photos you can see the dam is down by a bit and with the coming winter rains and snow it will fill quickly, the white line from water to tree line gives you a good idea of the level drop.
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Once you get up to were you follow the water to the dam you understand how big this place is and we only saw a few people the whole day along the road, and we did come across a tree across the road in one place.
The photos below are of the wildness resort which is the last place before the dam and is set up so you can stay there and you by the photos can see that the snow would be all over the hills around here.
Did notice the fuel prices here 1.87 for petrol and 1.67 for diesel
The photos below are of the wildness resort which is the last place before the dam and is set up so you can stay there and you by the photos can see that the snow would be all over the hills around here.
Did notice the fuel prices here 1.87 for petrol and 1.67 for diesel
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GORDON RIVER DAM
As you pull into the car park you can see the rock walls they must have cut into to fit the dam were it is, the hills and rocks around before you see the dam are stunning, there is a toilet block, but no table or chairs if you plan to have your lunch or morning teas , come prepared for that
When you walk down the over look the dam, go as light as possible large heavy bags will not be easy to carry up and down the many steps if you go down to the dam wall itself.
And if you are worried about height's well stay away from the edge its a long way down.
I would take water and camera and dress warm if you get cold.
When you walk down the over look the dam, go as light as possible large heavy bags will not be easy to carry up and down the many steps if you go down to the dam wall itself.
And if you are worried about height's well stay away from the edge its a long way down.
I would take water and camera and dress warm if you get cold.
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Lots stairs and it seems more going back up and its steep
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Look how the rock was pushed and pulled by mother nature
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The mighty Gordon River Dam is an engineering marvel, 11 meters taller than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and holding back 30 times the volume of water in the Harbour itself. Located in South West Tasmania at the edge of the famed World Heritage Wilderness Area, the dam appears to be the only manmade creation for miles, its curved concrete façade standing in stark contrast to the surrounding natural scenery.
Hope you enjoy the photos above we were here a while and the light changed so much and you can see its a huge dam and the water is a dark almost black colour from the tree sap and timber oils in the water. You can see in some the place that they set up so could take readings while dam was being built and the old stair case down the side of the dam.
Until you get down on the wall itself you just cannot get a feel for the size and shape of it.
Now it is not such a big walk going down the stairs they do move a little, but going back up you will need to take your time its steep and a long way up and there are landings so stop and rest, there is no mobile phones or anyone about if you need help so take your time
So the photos are taken with different lens setting and exposure to get a better idea of the colours and features you can see and it was over cast and was just starting to spit rain as we headed back up the hill to the carpark.
Wedge River Picnic Area
On our way back home we stopped here at this little area just below the rock outcrops and we were lucky enough to have a fire going someone had left behind within the seating area , so we were able to seat next to the fire while enjoying a cup of tea after our big adventure at the dam.
It was had a fire around to the site so the trees are just starting to grow back and there is no water and toilets are closed but, if you are self contained would be a good place for an over night stay . The road in from highway is narrow as the bush in close to track and a good number of pot holes so a slow drive the few hundred yards to get in.
It was good to have Carol and Geoff with us today, we had fun and we shared our offering of fruit cake and Biscuits and they had cheese and crackers, as no take always out here so a thermos of hot water and coffee or teas bags is a must.
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As you enjoy your cuppa the views are stunning and as you see in above photos this area was covered in thick fog when we passed by a few hours before but now the sky is clear and showing us the vista
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Creepy Crawly Nature Trail - 20 minutes return
When you pull up into the carpark here it takes you a minute to see the entrance to this walk and it starts off just walking into just a bush trail but as you link up with the board walk and the sun slowly disappears it show you what it is really like,
You need to be able to bend down low and get under some large branches and it winds up into a green garden of moss unlike what you have ever seen before.
Highly recommended! Take a walk through a lovely section of cool temperate rainforest. Signs along the way help you discover the world of rainforest plants and invertebrates. The fully-boarded track gently weaves its way around moss-covered trees and over giant logs. The 165 steps on the track are gently graded and in short sections. However the track is not recommended for people who cannot climb a lot of stairs or who are unable to bend down and duck under branches. The walk is located 2.5 km after Frodshams Pass along the Scotts Peak Road. (If you're heading for Strathgordon, it's well worth the slight detour.)
You need to be able to bend down low and get under some large branches and it winds up into a green garden of moss unlike what you have ever seen before.
Highly recommended! Take a walk through a lovely section of cool temperate rainforest. Signs along the way help you discover the world of rainforest plants and invertebrates. The fully-boarded track gently weaves its way around moss-covered trees and over giant logs. The 165 steps on the track are gently graded and in short sections. However the track is not recommended for people who cannot climb a lot of stairs or who are unable to bend down and duck under branches. The walk is located 2.5 km after Frodshams Pass along the Scotts Peak Road. (If you're heading for Strathgordon, it's well worth the slight detour.)
Small video of part of the walk into the creepy crawly Trail with some creepy music and I have slowed video down by 50%
Left of Filed Caravan Park
So we stopped at this park on the way back as this was where Carol and Geoff were set up for there walks into the Mt Field Area, To say its so nice and peaceful looking lace and has some strange things happening around the place as like the huge tree stumps which are the wrong way up and bit and pieces with gardens and other things hidden around the place
The landscaping could definitely be described as quirky. Very large trees which had to be removed have had root and stump dug out and upended, with much effort and machine power I understand, and proved sculptural bases for plants and odds and ends. There is an 18 hole bush golf course (definitely not played with conventional equipment), an outdoor kitchen with fire pit, and at the rear of the park a road leads to a weir populated by platypus, or, in the other direction, a quiet walk to the pub. A trout stream is also close by. If you are looking for a large site in peaceful surroundings, this is for you. The welcome is warm and the daily comments and quotations on the whiteboard outside the office are not to be missed.
The landscaping could definitely be described as quirky. Very large trees which had to be removed have had root and stump dug out and upended, with much effort and machine power I understand, and proved sculptural bases for plants and odds and ends. There is an 18 hole bush golf course (definitely not played with conventional equipment), an outdoor kitchen with fire pit, and at the rear of the park a road leads to a weir populated by platypus, or, in the other direction, a quiet walk to the pub. A trout stream is also close by. If you are looking for a large site in peaceful surroundings, this is for you. The welcome is warm and the daily comments and quotations on the whiteboard outside the office are not to be missed.
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You can hear off in the distance the timber yard working but it does not take away the peace of the place and the vans are well spread out and the green and colours of the tress.