MOT Tour Day 48 - Mount Field NP

Russell Falls

Another day in paradise. We spent the day in Mount Field NP. 

This morning, we walked the short distance to Russell Falls along a paved path which clearly carries the majority of the older visitors, many of them arriving in coaches, the ten minutes it takes for a wonderful view. It certainly is impressive, with its three tiers ending in a broad splash pool. Very difficult to photograph with anything other than the very clever iPhone because the bottom of the falls is in deep shadow and the next tier in bright sunshine. A single lens, even on a quality camera, will struggle with the big light differential. The iPhone, with its three irises, can set for multiple exposure settings and compose them.

I wonder what Russell Falls looks like when it’s angry? This was a very sedate exhibition but then I will always compare any falls I see in future to the brutish display from Nelson Falls last week. Today, Russell Falls was very pretty and truly reflected the reputation many others have given it.

After suitable shots and the obligatory selfie, we made our exit, stage right and up and up and up the stairs that led to the top of the falls. A combination of earth and rock and wooden steps, there are more than 200 of them until you find a broad seat at the top, where a very quiet creek slips past you before making its death-defying leap to the cameramen below.

Horseshoe Falls

A little further on - and more steps - Horseshoe Falls opens up in a neat half circle. It’s only small compared to the area but the ferns and mosses make it a pretty spot to stand and watch the water.

We took to the further track in pursuit of Lady Baron Falls, which the forward press indicates is smaller but again very pretty. On the way, the trees were the feature and the dominant player were the swamp gums. They are massive. We had seen several ancient versions on our way into Russell Falls, now rotting stumps and fallen trunks and they must have been gigantic. These living versions were no less impressive. A side track would have taken us past an intensive viewing but we felt we had the gist so soldiered on.

About three and a half kilometres in, we reappraised our desire to see Lady Barron Falls when given an escape route, so we took it and headed down the road back to the National Park Office. On the way, we rounded a bend and saw our first Tiger Snake … well, first in the wild. About 1.8 metres long. It had a lot less interest in us than we had in it and took itself off to the bush. No photo. Too much fear to think of it.

Lake Dodson Rd

After coffee and a timely suggestion from brother Arty, we set off for the drive to Lake Dobson, which is settled in high on Mount Field. About 15 kms of mostly sharp bends and narrow dirt road, all of which was safe and exciting, we had risen a little more than 300 metres. Lovely drive. Lake Dobson itself is a shallow lake which supports a good range of bird life. One of them, a female Currawong, descended on us as we opened our our sandwiches. Mine made it only halfway to my mother before the Currawong snatched it. Right.

We walked the perimeter of the lake, noting the residences which have occupation in the snow season. The walk included a delightful “grove” of pandanis which sent Sue into apoplexy. They gave way to a path which hugged the western side of the lake, with Mount Field above us. It must be an a amazing place covered in snow.

The return journey was no less enjoyable. We stopped on an open saddle, noting the tall orange guide posts, obviously designed for the winter months when to road is deep in snow.

We had intended having a few beers at the National, the local pub with quite the word of mouth reputation but alas, it was closed.

Our final roll of the dice was a spot on the Tyenna River where it was guaranteed we would see a platypus. Well, we saw Santa and the Easter Bunny on the far bank but that was it.

Back at the digs, Sue was treated to an open air bath in the wilds overlooking the Tyenna River. Ah the serenity. Meanwhile, I went to the bar and wrote this, while listening to the drivel of yet another delusional drop out who needs to convince new strangers every night that his life choices are the right ones. The name of this place - Left of Field - is a geographical and philosophical reference. Its essentially a block of land that runs down to the river, with the occasional flat piece of land. Its chaotic, with only the toilets resembling normality. The wife manages the chaos well while he ... well, I'm not sure what he does apart from talk at guests and drink. It has several nice touches but it feels like its in its first twelve months of operation, with so much more to do and yet its not. Its like a promise from a liar.

Loads of photos today. To many terrific views to leave them out.

Click here for today's photos

Driving again tomorrow. Back to the east coast - Triabunna - and a cruise around Maria Island.