Woodvine Nature Reserve - Mother Browns Bonnet - 30 May 2023

 Today's walk is Mother Brown's Bonnet via Woodvine Nature Reserve in the hills behind Forcett.

Woodvine Nature Reserve was an old farm that was given to the Crown by Mr Herbert Ernest “Ernie” Shaw in 1998. Mr Shaw died in 2005. Woodvine was declared a reserve in 2001.

The farm has 377 hectares or about 932 acres and protects native species of plants & animals that have been driven out of nearby cleared areas. Although left to Parks & Wildlife, it is looked after by the Friends of Woodvine Reserve who keep out invasive introduced plants, and maintain the buildings. The farm was original settled by Mr. Shaw's ancestors in 1861. (Thanks to Jack from his original blog in 2012).

This magnificent Eucalypt sits opposite the gate to Woodvine Nature Reserve on the farm across the road. It gives one an idea of what some of the forest may have been like when the property was first settled.

The group is ready to go.

The entrance overlooking the old farmhouse.

This part of the property has a number of really large Tasmanian Blackwood trees.

Setting off on the track through the Reserve.

The old boot cleaning station which has been relocated to just outside the main gate since our last visit.

 

 

 

A view through the local undergrowth.

An example of our group members maintaining proper Covid distancing when having morning tea.

The track through the Reserve is well maintained.

A very bright fungi.

After leaving the main Reserve Track we start the climb up to Mother Brown's Bonnet.

Which results in the odd stop to catch one's breath and occassional fallen tree to cross.

One of a myriad of the local fauna (leeches) that we removed during the walk.

Nearing the top.

The view from our lunch spot across towards Dunalley. This spot was a short distance from Mother Brown's Bonnet.

Following lunch we proceeded onto our objective.

 

Walking past what we believe to be the Cairn marking Mother Brown's Bonnet.

 

 

Returning to pick up our packs and start the return journey.

And then we had a view across to Hobart and Mount Wellington.

At last back on the track back to the Reserve.

The property has a collection of old farm machinery and a number of buildings to investigate.

Possibly the bakery oven for the property. I think it predates our interest in pizza's.

Inside one of the sheds.

Another view of the old house.

More old buildings and machinery.

An even older and smaller house.

The exterior and interior of the old shearing shed.

Including a wooden wool press.

And stalls for the sheep prior to shearing.

 This was a pleasant walk with a little of extra effort in the climb. We had 21 walkers today who covered the 7.8kms in just under 4 hours.