Page 40 - Go55s summer web

Lifestyle

TASSIE ICONS ALONG A RUGGED COASTLINE

JOHN McNAMEE DISCOVERS SOME WONDERS ON THE APPLE ISLE

The massive bulk of The Nut, an ancient volcanic plug towers over the historic township of Stanley

t was almost three o’clock in the sixty flat-bed wagons carrying shipping still thundering along in this progressive holiday park to take part in the 16th
morning and the holiday park was containers of all descriptions. part of the Tassie coastline…even at such Australian Masters Games. The athletics
Ishrouded in a mist that had drifted in The crossing is only a few metres ungodly hours. events are being staged a few kilometres
across the Bass Strait. from the entrance to the normally sleepy The bulk freight-only rail service runs away in picturesque Penguin, which
The only noise came from a few Ulverstone holiday and camping site, on a narrow gauge (1067mm, 3ft6ins) boasts an international standard track and
night animals which still scurried situated on the spectacular north-west coast track several times throughout the day field stadium tucked away in a colourful
around among the dew-covered of Tasmania and the train’s super-bright carrying the containers to the Devonport bush setting just outside of town.
camping sites. headlights pierce the darkness throwing docks where they are on-shipped to We’re blessed with beautiful weather
The deep silence was broken only eerie shadows over the trees and buildings. Melbourne and Sydney. all the time of our stay, only one light
by the occasional squawk of a ground- But nobody seems to mind the shock The late afternoon service is usually shower, but the frigid water of the ocean
nesting plover guarding her eggs in an of the early morning invasion of their greeted by a gaggle of kids and mums and was only for the brave, or foolhardy.
almost endless vigil. sleep… in fact next day we say to the dads crowding around the crossing and Ulverstone itself is a convenient
Suddenly, the early morning neighbours in the nearby villa: “Did you waving excitedly to the driver, high up in base for our competition efforts and our
tranquillity is shattered by a far-off blast hear the train early this morning, exciting his lofty cabin. sightseeing between event days. With a
of a speeding freight train followed by isn’t it?” Someone else says: “That’s It sounds strange but it’s one of the town population of 11,000, Ulverstone is
the shrieking clangour of the flashing red another lot of containers that won’t be many little memories we take away one of those places which have a lot of
lights of the railway crossing. clogging up our roads eh?” from our week-long sojourn along this respect for their war dead and numerous
It was the overnight Burnie to And we all laugh and shake our wonderful area on Tassie’s north coast. well-kept parks around the area are
Devonport freight train, powered by three heads, quite content in the knowledge We’re staying in a comfortable two- dedicated to the fallen of all services and
massive diesel locomotives hauling up to that the mighty wheels of industry are bedroom Family Villa at the Ulverstone of both World Wars.

Mention
Go55s in the
Botanical Shop to
on any purchase
receive a 10% discount

he Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens oldest in Australia, founded two years after
celebrates its 200 anniversary in the Sydney Gardens. The 14-hectare site
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens T2018, and the Bicentennial milestone is recognised nationally for its important
is an extra reason to visit this destination, conservation work, but also for its cultural
The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is Australia’s premier cool climate
garden, distinguished by a number of unique plant collections including the which is consistently listed in the top 10 landscape and heritage values.
Tasmanian Native Garden and the world’s only Sub-Antarctic plant house. attractions to visit in Tasmania. Tours of the Gardens are available and
Enjoy a meal in Succulent Restaurant, a coffee from Sprout Café and browse Established in 1818 in the early years of there will be a series of special occasions
in the Botanical Shop. the development of the colony, the Royal throughout 2018, including special floral
Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is the second displays and cultural events.

40 Summer 2017 | The Go55s Newspaper