Northeast Coast

Sam and I took a two night trip up to the far northeast corner of the state.

Top of Mt. Barrow. See how warm Sam looks?

On the way, took a side trip into the Mt. Barrow State Reserve. A narrow, rutted dirt road heading through dense rainforest and up the mountain. The picnic area at the end of the main road was nice, but not that interesting. The road leading up from there was posted as requiring four-wheel drive, but that didn't stop us. Up and up we went, with the fog and mist getting thicker by the minute. Finally emerged at what seemed to be some kind of summit, but with no visibility it was hard to tell. The road continued off across the flats, but the road had been so bad to this point, we had no desire to follow.

Making friends with the alpacas.

Stayed in a cabin in the town of Branxholm. Nice comfortable place. Alpacas in the field. Reportedly a platypus pair in the river, but we never saw them.

The "Derby Tunnel."

Spent some time exploring the area around Branxholm. Followed a road sign the for "Derby Tunnel." This took us on rutted dirt road. Explored it by car and then, when it narrowed to little more than a wide path, by foot. Finally found a cave mouth partially hidden by vegetation. Looked like it went way back, but having no lights we were only brave enough to go back 50 feet or so.

Spent most of the next day in Mount William National Park. Hot, hot sun on the beach. White sand, big rocks and lots of seabirds.

Climbed to the top of "Mount" William, the highest point in the part at 214 meters.

Drove the loop of Forrester Kangaroo Drive. Saw several jumping marsupials. Not really sure if they were kangaroos or not, but we weren't picky.

Musselroe Bay Conservation Area

After a second night in our cabin, it was back home. The drive took us back through rainforest. We tried to explore the Blue Tier region, but the road would have been tough even for four wheel drive. We stopped an hour into the road, well short of our destination, and settled for a short walk to see a nice waterfall.

More from Musselroe Bay. We walked a mile or so down the beach, which was empty except for us.

Nature photographer.

View from the summit of Mt. William.

Back in rainforest for the trip home.