Once again bak through the rolling hills taking a different route towards Waratah with amazing old mines waterfalls and park areas but unfortunately the tin mine walk was shut so only time for waterfall views and photos and onwards past the current mining town of Savage river where iron ore is mined and shipped 80 or so Kms down a conveyer tunnel to Port latta on the coast.
The Tarmac is soon swapped for graded soft white chalky dirt for the next 38 Kms as we drive some of the most isolated parts of the island with very view detours even able to be taken as many were shut to either mining land or bureaucratic knobs .
Corinna was down down down many slow winding Kms through so new rd areas owing to mine development and across some flooded Bridgeways .
Corinna my beautifuls wife's namesake is such a peaceful little town it's hard to believe how the pioneers began mining the town for the elusive gold still evident here today , however it stands as a bit of of a environment zone nowadays with. Cruises walks fishing and of course the Arthur river ferry to help overcome the obstacle of the river towards Zeehan.
We wished we could of stayed the night however we had no bedding and little food supplies to do so .
A walk up telegraph hill was taken behind the historic old building s beside waterlogged creek beds were burrowing crayfish dwelled with their large yabby like bodies and tiny tails.
A cold beverage at the hotel was on the cards then lunch amongst the March flies and wasps out on the river lookout which proved next to impossible as we still hadn't packed in a chopping board or utensils to make our salad rolls yet again :( ( slow learners).
After lunch a short walk along the river showing a boat being launched for some pleasure seekers and nearby a spot where the logging boats were moored in old times, then a interpretive walk where signs explained the variety of sassafras , huon pine Blackwood and myrtle in the region.
The burrowing crayfish mounds were everywhere the eyes could see.
Back upwards along the Wilderness Explorer rd we ventured further west into the Tarkine Wilderness expanse and passed only ones vehicle along the hole afternoon.
Very few turn offs along this route up towards Balfour and Arthur river ,also permits were requires for most 4 wd activities in this area ,I want so keen doing this alone at this stage as I have heard of locals being very bogged due to the water content on many of this area's tracks as seen in the Marrawah hotel .
Many Kms upwards there was nothing but solitary isolated land which would be absolutely awesome to walk along with much like our high country in Victoria above the tree line stunted shrubs and misty hilltops made for a surreal "lord of the rings " type zone.
Balfour track cross rds reached late afternoon we soon took a side trip to Kouta rocks fishing village to a very violent windy coastline that makes this area so well known for rough seas, logging and of course fishing.
We took time out in the strong winds for some photos and a gander at the village and slipways to shelter old boats.
One old 2 story flashed up cottage stood out here with its own slipway and large expensive looking boat was moored nearby ,which as it turned out was the owner of the very first abalone license granted in Tasmania ,so therefore once he sold off a few of these and contracted several others he had turned a very tidy profit.
The edge of the world was nearby so we turned off here at Arthur River to the viewing platform and was simply amazed at the amount of logs in the river mouth and heads some due to many logging barges and ships being smashed to pieces in the heads and on the many large rocks on a swelling stormy sea.
Over the Arthur River Brudge high above the water line on a single lane bridge which scared the shit out of the mrs yet didn't seem to worry a teenager who jumped many metres down onto the water below even on this stormy yet still warm afternoon.
A quick gander at the nearby campgrounds we made for Marrawah and its newly built tavern,a lovely place to stop for tea and some cold wet refreshments .
Be warned the meals here are well priced and massive hearty affairs so you may well want an entree size if you aren't a log cutting ,trawling local!
The pub was friendly and amass with photos of the area past and preset some with four wheel drives bogged to the bonnet and others with tractors and earth overs moving dead stranded sperm whales off the beach.
Tea done we headed back down the Bass hwy towards south raina and the camper and passed the tarkine wilderness adventure park which was shut but got us keen on returning .
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