NewTown - 14 May 2024

Today's walk is a history walk around the streets of New Town with the leadership and history component being provided by Mendelt.

The walk starts at Cornelian Bay.

Entering the tunnel under the Brooker Highway.

The inside of the tunnel has recently been painted over with Tasmania's local animals.

It would appear that the owner of this nicely trimmed hedge preferred to retain it rather that prune the trees so that the fence was complete.

Just around the corner was a typical garden in autumninal colors.

A small secluded park that was included in a subdivision after WWII. Maybe this type of green space should be included all new subdivisions. 

Mendelt recounting the story about the Toll House behind.

And the history of his own home.

Milling around looking for seating for morning tea.

The view towards the mountain from Cross Street.

Houses of New Town.

 

A row of sandstone houses in Pirie Street which once was the main road out of Hobart before it was diverted down to New Town Road.

Lunch in Stoke Street Reserve with everyone making the most of the warming sun.

 Stranger things.

 

An impressive statue of a  Greek Warrior.

Heading up the hill behind New Town Primary School towards the trails that take us to St Johns Church.

St Johns Church with part of the Orphan School building next door.

The Tower (or folly) that is used to name Tower Road.

Swanston House and stables.

 The graffiti in the the second tunnel is probably not Council approved.

Our leader heading home via a shortcut.

We had 22 walkers who took 5hrs 24 mins to cover the 10.5km walk around the streets of New Town.

Thanks to Ingrid for her photos.

The Springs - Snake Plains - Neika 7 May 2024

Today's walk involved leaving a car at the car park on Huon Road at Neika before all the group gathered at the top car park at the Springs.

The forecast is for a clear sunny autumn day with possible clouds but no rain.

 Starting from the carpark.

Climbing the steps to the Milles Track.

Heading out along the Milles Track.

The first view looking out across Kingston, the Iron Pot and Storm Bay.

Some of the fine construction works that collects the mountain streams along the track.

Inspecting the drainage works which have been there for a long time. 

Another view but looking more towards D'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.

Enjoying the views.

Looking towards Mt Nelson and towards the northern part of Tasmanian Peninsular.

The first of a number of different fungi that we observed on this walk.

Morning tea at the turn-off for Snake Plains.

Heading down the first part of the Snake Plains Track through a boulder field.

Where we came across these pink mountain berries(Leptecophylla juniperina).

Tasmanian Purple Apple Berry (Billardiera longiflora)

And then the copperleaf snow berry (Gaultheria hispida).

Finally we are out of the boulders onto Snake Plains itself.

Looking back towards South Wellington.

A view of Cathedral Rock.

The sun reflecting of a gum's shining bark.

Into the cutting grasses.

Looking back to the mountain with dry feet reflecting on the low rainfall we have been experiencing in Tasmania.

 

 

Compared to this photo which was taken exactly 3 years earlier on 4 May 2021 when we last walked Snake Plains.

Looking out towards the Channel and Bruny Island.

Cloud formation moving in over the mountain.

After leaving Snake Plains we sought out a lunch spot.

In this part of the forest there were numerous fungi which slowed our walking pace considerably.

After a reasonable descent the last part of the track before reaching the Pipeline Track was very steep and rocky.

As usual once we start walking the Pipeline Track some of the walkers speed up with the group spreading out until we reach the cars.

 

There were 15 walkers who covered the 8.35 Km about 3.5 hours.

Thanks to Ron and Ingrid for providing some of the photos.

Because of the fine weather it was a very pleasant walk on the day.