11 Jan 2010 Huon Valley

Huon Valley

Here are two shots of the Huon Valley on our drive to Tahune Forest AirWalk.  Weather was good and the reflection from the river was really nice.  However, Livia drove really fast.

You can experience walking among the treetops past rare species, some found only in Tasmania, such as King Billy and Celery Top pine, myrtle, beech, blackwood and sassafras. The walkway rises up to 48 metres above the ground and extends for around half a kilometre over the Tahune State Forest and Picton River.

On the bridge network, we saw many broken giant trees.  One of which becomes a game stall.  People try to "make wish" and throw coins to test their luck (to have the coins stay on the trunk top)

There is project to burn down and re-establish hatches of rain forest to simulate the life cycle of the rain forest

The most stunning part is this hanging-out.  It's a pity to learn that the designer of this airwalk died before the grand opening of his baby.

 

The water is so clear that layers of rock under the water could be seen

There are two suspension bridges over the water.  It's so disguisting to have a gang of youngsters trying to shake and swing the bridge and yelling loudly as we crossed the river.  I could hardly take a clear picture of the river banks.  I felt dizzy like sea sick after stepping out of the bridges!

 

Sarsaparilla - made by Sarsaparilla root, is the root beer.  We call it "SARS" drink.  The plant could be seen in the forest.  Before we left, we went into the restaurant to look for the drink.

In our way back to Hobart, we took another route to visit Mount Wellington.  We passed through the post of FernTree (a town nearby) and thought we had missed the pass.  And we ran back and forth on the road but in vein.  As we drove on, we found that we had not yet reached the town.

We had not reached the top but at the mid-level, we could still oversee the Huon Valley and Hobart.