New Town Street History Walk 28 June 2022

Today's walk was lead by Mendelt and because it was a new walk we had little idea what was involved.  It soon became apparent that he had spent a lot of time researching the New Town area and this was really appreciated by the walkers who attended.

Throughout the walk Mendelt provided history, interesting facts and anecdotes about the streets and buildings we passed.  

 

The walk commenced in the car park getting the general history of New Town and an idea of what to expect during the walk (ps. the time was actually 9:38 not 10:38 as shown in this photo).

Stopping at the site of the former Rosella factory which is now part of the Hockey Tasmania Complex.  

Not sure what these are but they added interest to the front yard of this house.

Shopping trolleys they are everywhere!

Is this an egg in the tree?

One of the many historical houses that Mendelt provided information about.

The New Town equivalent to Arthur's Circus.  The hill in the background is Mt Direction - the location of next weeks walk.

Morning Tea at Mendelt's Manor

Continuing on after morning tea.

Mendelt explaining that Pirie Street was once the main road out of Hobart. 

Although the sky was threatening a storm we were fortunate to have good weather for the duration of the walk.

More houses on Pirie Street.

Buildings on Main Road New Town including the former Post Office.

Stoke House

Lunch in a little park at the intersection of Stoke Street and Main Road.

We walked past the house in which Joseph Lyons and his wife lived.

There are some amazing sights in New Town - Leonidas King of Sparta - who would have expected that!

St Johns church

Tower Road - its easy to see where it gets its name from

New Town Rivulet

This building once provided accommodation for trainee nurses - now it is private apartments.

Swanston House and stables

Along Risdon Road

Lauderdale House - Risdon road.  The owner was kind enough to allow us to enter the property for a closer look.

All up it took us about 5hrs to walk 11.8kms.  Thanks to Mendelt we got an insight into the rich history of the New Town area and passed lots of historically significant buildings - because of this today's blog looks a bit like a realtors catalogue.  It was also significant that a number of the grand buildings built in the 1800's were built by people with interesting backgrounds.

 

 

Click this link to download GPX file

Lake Dulverton to Parratah 21 Jun 2022

Jenny is leading our walk today from Lake Dulverton to Parratah and return.  

It is a relative flat track around the lake before following the old railway line that used connect Parratah to Oatlands.

When we left Hobart it appeared that the weather would be quite cold. However on arrival there was no wind although overcast and the sun came out part way through so it was a very pleasant day's walk.

The reflections on the lake.

Setting off for the track that follows the foreshore of the Lake Dulverton. The track was the result of the Oatlands Community input to have it built.

Oatlands version of Stonehenge.

The topiary animals appear to have moved from St Peters Pass into the middle of Oatlands.

Lake Dulverton is known for its wading birds.

Looking back across the lake to where we commenced our walk.

The track has been installed over an old narrow gauge rail that connected Oatlands to the main north south train line at Parratah.

Our leader provided the group with a lot of information about all the history of the area that we passed through.

When the walk was established the locals provided the local provided items of interest alongside the track.

There was a bit of discussion about this piece but no-one was sure exactly the machine did.

One of the original sandstone barns erected in the area. Oatlands is renowned for its historical sandstone buildings most of which were constructed in the 1800's.

The track now follows the Tunnack Road.

The local community was instrumental in planting all the trees and other vegetation along the part of the track.

One of the old sandstone culverts constructed for the railway line.

A stone cliff with caves underneath on a Land for Conservation property.

Table Mountain in the distance.

An enormous Pine tree planted alongside the roadway by the original settlers.

The Old Post Office in Parratah now a private residence.

The Parratah Hotel also a private residence.

Having a relaxed lunch on the old Parratah Railway Station. Most of us hoped that we might see a freight train while we waited but no luck.

Much discussion was held about the uses of this huge steel structure in the railyard.

The train line heading to the north of the state.

We passed a deer farm alongside the track.

Another old stone barn.

Another of the old railway culverts.

Heading back towards Oatlands.

Apparently this is the remains of the old night-cart sewerage system.

 

We had 12 walkers who covered 16.8 kms over 4 hours 38 minutes and climbed 100 meters on what was a pleasant walk on a very good walking day.

The following link covers this walk and the information points along the way:

https://www.southernmidlands.tas.gov.au/assets/Lake_Dulverton_and_Walking_Track_Information_Guide_-_updated_Aug_2016.pdf

Click this link to download GPX file