BIKE: October 2005

Saltwater River - Sunday Ride

Saltwater River Fascinating penal colony ruin
- as interesting as Port Arthur 'Westward from Eaglehawk Neck and Woody Island lay the dreaded Coal Mines. Sixty of the 'marked men' were stationed here under a strong guard.
At the Coal Mines was the northernmost of those ingenious series of semaphores which rendered escape almost impossible', such was Marcus Clarke's description of the penal settlement at Saltwater River in his famous book For the Term of his Natural Life.

Located 106 km south east of Hobart and 23 km from Port Arthur, there is little doubt that Saltwater River is the hidden treasure of the Tasman Peninsula. It is certainly as interesting as Port Arthur and given that it is common to visit the ruins and be on your own for hours (something which never occurs at Port Arthur) it has a sense of desolation and isolation which makes the experience powerful and poignant.

Two penal outstations were established at Saltwater River. The first, which was a rather pleasant option, was an agricultural farm supplying food for Port Arthur and other outstations on the Peninsula. The second, the coal mine, was widely regarded as 'hell on earth'.

Not a lot of room at all !!!

A Dismal Swamp Ride...

Well Typical Show Weekend... Rain.. Rain... Rain....
So Logic tells me... (I know you don't need to say anything !!!)
If I'm going to get wet better get wet someplace interesting....

Left Hobart Friday arvo - Stopped in Launie at a mates place
(thanks FatGuts and Lizzy)
Departed Sat about 11am
Typical Northern weather - looking North from Launie

Two and ahalf hours later - Arrive Dismal Swamp
35K's West of Smithton.

Dismal Swamp is a 400 Acre Sink Hole (a bit like Launceston...)
Largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Largest Stand of Blackwood trees in the WORLD.

The Visitor Centre and the Start to "THE SLIDE"

The Start of the SLIDE.....
It drops 40 meters to the the floor of the sink hole....

Does not look too steep..... Ha Ha Ha....

Not until now and the Corner of DEATH... Holy Crap.....
*Terrified look on Face*

One of the local's Houses, Little Crayfish..

Scattered around are exhibits from artists...

Now this is why it's called the Dismal Swamp
As when it was discovered they slept in the trees (only Dry place)
They could not even get a fire started and in their journal they said
it was the MOST Dismal Swampy place ever they has seen.

What a BIG tree you have there....

One last shot of "THE SLIDE"

On the way back - a few stops on the way.

The NUT - Stanley

Rocky Cape Lighthouse