BURNIE and WYNYARD

16^th December, 2013

After leaving the highlands of Tasmania we travelled north to the coast and found the Beach Retreat Caravan Park at Wynyard looking out onto Bass Strait.  The park was small but nice and quiet so we decided to base ourselves there for a few days while we did some day trips and explored the area.  Fifteen kilometres east of Wynyard is the seaport of Burnie and fourth largest town in Tasmania.  We take a drive along the picturesque seaside highway and turn into the parking lot at the Makers’ Workshop/Information Centre.

Maker's Workshop in Burnie

This building caused quite a stir when it was built a few years ago and we kind of agree with the locals about it looking like a great big box.  It certainly doesn’t give one any encouragement to want to go inside but in we went and had a look around.  There are a number of local artists who have stalls in ‘the box’ and it was interesting to see them working.  A large section of ‘the box’ is taken up by the Creative Paper Company which makes craft paper and life size paper mache people sculptures.

Life size paper mache creations

We decide to take a paper making tour and have the undivided attention of the ‘paper guy’ as we are the only two people on the tour.  The ‘paper guy’ has a name of course but we have no idea what it is so henceforth he will be known as the ‘paper guy’.

The 'paper guy'

Now we thought that paper was made from trees.  We were mistaken.  Paper can be made from many things and the craft paper that is made in ‘the box’ comes from cotton.  Not from the little cotton balls that come off the cotton plant but from recycled material – such as denim jeans (which is cotton) and other pieces of clothing etc.  The ‘paper guy’ purchases chopped up pieces of cotton from places like ‘Vinnies’ and puts it through the soak and stir (add some stuff) process until it breaks down and can be screened out and dried as craft paper.  We got to have a go at making some ‘roo poo’ paper – yes, just about anything can be mixed in to make a textured craft paper.  It was very interesting and we even got to come away with our own hand made craft paper.  We also enjoyed the cheese tasting counter in ‘the box’ where one can sample King Island cheeses.  The double cream Camembert was especially decadent!  Yummmm …   After a look around town we drove out into the hills behind Burnie passing Hellyers Whisky Distillery on the way.  Wok was quite disappointed to see the closed sign up at the gate.  Ahh well!  You can’t win ‘em all …    We did however find our way to Guide Falls – one of the many waterfalls one can see in Tasmania.

Guide Falls

Coming back past ‘the box’ we were surprised to see a queue of people lining up to get in the front door.  We wondered what sort of event was on – that is until we saw the huge cruise ship docked at the wharf.  Small towns and large cruise ships just don’t go together. Thank goodness we didn’t get caught up in that mayhem. 

Another day … and this time we are having a look around Wynyard.  There are some interesting old buildings in Wynyard and the foreshore walk that runs in front of the caravan park is a great way to get into town without taking the car.  Attached to the Information Centre is the Ransley Veteran Car Display.

Some of the vintage Ford cars on display

This wonderful display of Ford model vehicles (earlier than the T Model Ford) amazed us.  Of course there were vehicles other than Ford on show along with motor bikes and pushbikes.

Motor bikes, pushbikes and vintage cars in Wynyard

The restored vehicles were immaculate with bodywork that glowed and paint jobs to die for.  This isn't the largest vintage vehicle display we’ve seen but we both agreed that it was the best presented.

Not far from Wynyard is Flowerdale – a small community of a few houses.  Two kilometres from Flowerdale are the Lobster Ponds.  Originally the vision of a local farmer, the Lobster Ponds were built to help save the large endangered freshwater North West Tasmanian Lobster.  The ponds were operational for a number of years until the farmer could no longer maintain them and they became overgrown.  A number of local people formed the ‘Friends of the Lobster’ and over the past year have hacked back all the bushes and undergrowth, reformed the paths and dug out the ponds.  The ponds now have running water going through them again and some freshwater lobsters that were caught in the wild are now in the ponds.  It is hoped that the lobsters will breed in the ponds and when the young lobsters have reached a certain size they will then be released back into the wild.  Once again we are the only two people at the ponds and are given a very personalized tour by the ‘lobster guy’.  Yes we know!  We really do have to pay attention to people’s names.  He will however always be known to us as the ‘lobster guy’.  Who would have thought that out there in the creeks and ponds of north west Tasmania lurked a yabbie big enough to feed a family! 

Yep !   That sure is one big Yabbie !

We know what you are thinking … and  NO .. !  You mustn’t catch this overgrown yabbie and eat it!  They are endangered and there is a $10,000 fine if you are caught.  This particular lobster is about 14 years old and just about old enough to breed.  The lobsters start to breed around the 14 year age mark and can live up to 60 years.

Mind your toes .... lobster taking a stroll !

Our ‘lobster guy’ informs us that this lobster weighs around 2 kilograms and when fully grown can weigh up to 5 kilograms.  The ‘lobster guy’ says that when he was a kid they used to catch the lobsters every now and then and have a feed. He doesn’t remember them as being especially tasty.  By this time we are starting to feel a bit hungry and decide to partake of some lovely home-made scones with freshly made raspberry jam and cream in the tea room beside the lobster ponds.  It was very pleasant sitting on the verandah overlooking the valley and watching the poddy calves in the paddock below.  We hope that the dedicated band of volunteers is successful in helping to save this endangered lobster so future generations can marvel at these wonders of nature.

We hop in Mitzi one morning and go for a drive along the coast west of Wynyard.  From Table Cape there are terrific views west along the coast to Rocky Cape

Looking west towards Rocky Cape

and east towards Burnie.

Looking east towards Burnie ... Wynyard tucked behind hill top right corner

On the headland of Table Cape there is a lighthouse and adjacent to the lighthouse is a tulip farm.  We visited Tasmania twenty years ago and stumbled across the rainbow coloured fields on our way to the lighthouse. 

This is what the view would have been like in September/October

Unfortunately we are a couple of months too late to see the tulips in bloom this time and the view across the fields to the lighthouse is very different.

The view is less colourful once the tulips are harvested

At the base of Table Cape is Fossil Bluff and we take a walk along the beach at low tide.

Wok strolling along the beach at Fossil Bluff

The bluff is sandstone and has layers of fossils embedded into it.

Wok checking out the tidal pools at Fossil Bluff

We have a great time wandering around and checking out the tidal pools.  On the way back to camp we spot a pair of black swans with three cygnets paddling on a pond.

Black swans with their babies having a paddle

Like us – the swans seem to be enjoying the warm sunny afternoon and just taking it easy.