Today we're walking not on Grasstree Hill, but a hill in Grasstree. Actually, we're walking on the Basin Hills and Gathering Bush Hill. The walk was arranged by Peggy and we were mostly on private land led by Judy, who with her husband Roger, have a considerable parcel of land.
The weather forecast for today has, for a week, been cloudy and very high chance of rain. The weather on the day was sunny and dry. So much for science.
After a little road tour (someone had nicked the road sign) we found Downham Town Road, turned off, traveled past the recently dumped washing machine landmark and found our way to our destination, meeting up with the rest in the farm yard. As you can guess, this area is not far from Risdon Vale.
After getting geared up and meeting Judy & Roger, Judy led us off leaving Roger to look after things on the farm.
The walk begins with a pleasant trek down a gentle sloping gravel road before coming to the first of many gates.
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| Judy, landowner and leader |
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| Heading down to the road |
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| Now we're heading towards the first gate |
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| Looks like interesting country |
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| Through the gate and up the hill... |
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| ...past the Gate monitor |
The walk is through dry, open bush and as we get higher, views start to open up. We meet some of the local residents and find our first hill.
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| Locals |
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| We're heading across this paddock and up the hill |
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| You can just make out the Sorell Causeway in the distance on the right |
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| We don't reach the top but turn off and around |
The Grasstree area is
named after the Grasstree, genus
Xanthorrhoea, containing about 30 species. This is a very slow growing plant, which was useful in several ways to the local Aborigines.
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| Our first Grasstree... |
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| ...and its mates |
We soon come to a number of large rocks, which seem to be a feature of this area, as are caves.
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| Rock formation |
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| This one looks like a very large skull lying on its side. Notice the eye sockets. I think I need to keep taking the tablets |
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| Exploring the centre of the group. Nothing interesting |
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| The surface was quite furry with all the lichen |
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| Long shot across the valley to another formation |
Walking down from the rocks, we soon find a place for Morning Tea. We seem to particularly spread out today.
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| Morning Tea |
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| Here we get a view of the River Derwent with the Incat facility just in the centre |
After tea, we continue on down until we come to a fence.
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| The Sun was very low today and I had problems with glare |
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| Reminds me of Cousin Itt from the Addams Family |
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| Judy's telling us her land ends here and not to cross the fence |
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| This fence? I'm afraid it's too late |
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| We'll blame it all on Bob, he wanted to see what was here |
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| A gentle climb through open bush |
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| Looking towards the Richmond area |
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| After a while we cross over a fence and walk towards another |
We're now about to enter Judy's Brother in Law's property, for which we have permission.
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| Steep downhill section before crossing a fence to our left |
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| Open paddock now, before crossing back into Judy's land |
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| Walking up here, a fungus was spotted and orders issued to photograph it |
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| Which I did |
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| Sparing no effort |
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| While the rest of the group continued on, unconcerned with my welfare |
Never mind, I'm used to it. We're making our way towards our lunch destination, which may surprise you.
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| This is unexpected. What does that sign say? |
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| You can't get any grander than that |
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| What's this bemused lot looking at? |
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| Judy on her front porch |
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| The interior of the Hilton. It has an external water tank and there are plans to double the size of the building. Perhaps the state government would be willing to help out |
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| This group was behind the Hilton |
Several people were suggesting names for the large, beefy bloke on the left. I suggested 'Big Mac' which drew from him a steely stare. That completely put me off calling his offspring 'Quarter Pounders'.
Judy had told us about a water fall not too far away, It's seasonal, but has an interesting rock formation. Did we want to have a look and come back her for lunch? We did. Having heard her description, I expected a jumble of rocks for the water to flow over. What we found was an escarpment that would be quite spectacular when in full flow. The water comes from a dam above when it overflows. I notice it's noted as a falls on the map, which makes it official.
We walk down the old waterway to the top of the falls. It's a bigger drop than it appears in the pictures.
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| Sally at the top of the falls |
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| Me at top. Photo by Carol |
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| Looking over, it's a series of steps |
There is also a cave down below, so we start along the edge until we can drop down and walk to it. This place is a mecca for grandchildren, what with the Hilton, caves and waterfalls.
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| Walking the edge until we can drop down |
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| The cave. It goes a good way back in. Certainly good for shelter |
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| Bob looks strangely at home in front of a cave |
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| Walking back up to the Hilton for lunch. You can't say that on too many walks |
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| Take two, and I managed to get back in time to sit for the group photo |
After lunch, Judy was taking us to a gully where the Grasstrees evidently grow in profusion.
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| We'll be going across the paddock and down into the trees |
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| But first, the gate |
We walk down and soon come to some Grasstrees, but it gets better.
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| Conditions must be perfect, it looks like a Grasstree nursery |
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| Even a little billabong at the bottom. Well, it's probably a small dam |
The trunk of the Grasstree is made up of a central trunk and accumulated leaf bases.
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| Old base showing the construction |
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| I wouldn't want to meet this one on a dark night |
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| Looking back |
We continue on over stony ground before turning and following a farm track which will lead us back to the horse and gate. From there we'll retrace our way to the cars.
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| Highlight of their day |
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| Moving in for the kill |
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| Safely past the sheep, we find an older Hilton that just needs a little work |
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| We also find another hill |
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| Not often I'm this far in front |
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| I don't think the horse is very happy we came back from a different direction |
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| More things to look at in the future |
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| Back home |
This was a great walk, and everyone enjoyed themselves very much. Thanks to Peggy and Judy for taking us.
We had 9 walkers and covered 12.72km in about 5hrs. Google Earth shows 10.2km in 5hrs. Take your pick.
Click here to download GPX file
