OZtralia.tv Blog

Tasmania Sea Tales

By: Phoenix Arrien

In 1981, a group of 14 Tasmanians decided that the state should have its own “tall ship”. They chose to build a replica of the “Lady Nelson” built at a cost of $562,573 dollars by public subscription and completed in 1989.

Now operating out of Hobart offering educational and historical charters as well as harbour cruises, it takes 200 volunteers to keep the ship operating. The most popular voyage is a two night sail to the reaches of Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula

Sailing along the coastal cliffs of Bruny Island offers me a taste of the dramatic coastal scenery along the Tasman Peninsula. Seabirds and dolphins visit the ship.

Tasmanians love their Lady and come out to wave as we sailed past. There is something special about such this little vessel, a courage and spirit of adventure in one so small to brave the world’s oceans and I become very fond of her in a short space of time.

I can see why she inspires 200 people in a small population who commit to her continuing presence. www.ladynelson.org.au

The Best Tasmanian National Park

By: The OZtralia Producers

We love Mt. Field National Park. Founded in 1916 Mt. Field is Tasmania’s oldest National Park. You will drive just an hour outside of Hobart (around 64km) and be wowed by a great eucalyptus forest stretching all the way to the summit of Mount Field.

You can camp at Mt. Field with the luxury of power outlets (those are always handy). We mention that as you could spend a few days here taking beautiful scenery.

Russell Falls is by far the most exciting part of Mt. Field. The waterfalls have a tiered structure to them which gives you double the bang for your proverbial buck. Russel Falls has even been on a postage stamp in Tasmania.

Also you can see Horseshoe Falls which is about a twenty minute walk from the visitor center.

Australia’s Convict History

By: The OZtralia Producers

Port Arthur is a must see if you are going to travel Tasmania. As you know, some of the first residents of Tasmania were convicts. Port Arthur was built on the back of the first citizens of Australia.

The area first began in 1830 as a timber station as another timber station at Birches Bay closed. Port Arthur soon became a local necessity as shipbuilding facilities and a flower mill were built here. In 1848 the first Prison started at Port Arthur. The rest is history.

As Australia was a colony at the time, Port Arthur received a lot of inmates. The goal between 1850 and 1860 was to make Port Arhtur sustainable. Over the years though, the colonies stopped sending prisoners and numbers of inmates soon receded to the last being on the grounds in 1877.

Recognizing that Port Arthur could be a tourist site (everyone is a bit curious on how a prison works, right?) the Scenery Preservation Board was created at Port Arthur in 1916. Soon the National Parks and Wildlife took the helm to re-create the actual authentic “Port Arthur” experience.

Today funded by the Tasmanian government scene Port Arthur is very well done.

We would not be true if we did not mention Sunday April 28, 1996 where thirty five people were killed in and around Port Arthur after a man went on a shooting spree. He is not in prison serving thirty five life sentences without the possibility of parole.

An Island at the Bottom of the World

By: The OZtralia Producers

A gentleman by the name of Abel Tasman came to this area in 1642, shortly there after, Tasmania received it’s name. Tasmania is famous for the Tasmanian Devil, but is also full of some amazing countryside beauty.

Australia’s convict history is underscored here. Two hundred sixty two people founded the Tasmanian center city of Hobart. One hundred seventy-eight of those people were convicts. Outside of Hobart, you will find Port Arthur. Between 1830 and 1977 Port Arthur housed around 12,500 convicts. Now you can walk around the grounds and learn a lot about Australian history.

Today Hobart is home to a unique urban feel. Looking over Hobart from the top of Mount Wellington, you see that Hobart is full of life. Mt. Wellington itself is a must see. Towering 4,170 feet or 1,271 meters over Hobart, you get a fantastic view of the city. A road was built to the top of Mt. Wellington in 1930. Make sure to pack a coat and shorts as the weather on the top of Mt. Wellington is very unpredictable. You will notice a very large antenna on the top of Mt. Wellington as well. This broadcasts TV signals all across Tasmania. It is also known for not allowing your car to start every now and then.

Launceston is Tasmania’s second largest city. On our visit, we really found it to be a pretty sleepy town. If you are going to be adventurous and visit Launceston, make sure you check out Cataract Gorge.

Tasmania’s oldest national park is Mt. Field. Some of the tallest Eucalypt trees in the world live here. We found this place to be pretty special too after experiencing Russell Falls. Russell Falls has a tiered structure to it, so it is almost like you get two water falls in one.

Tassy’s Exciting Franklyn River

By: Phoenix Arrien

Today people are gathering in Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania to celebrate the saving of the Franklin River.

I paddled this extraordinary river and found that the river and its wilderness are breathtaking.

Rearing gorges, mighty in their remote isolation, funnels clear water through rugged forest offering a seemingly crazy explosion of life and death in twisting and twirling wildness.

Trees, vines, plants, mosses, wildlife and moisture overwhelm and inspires. Bouncing around on wild rapids and camping on riverside ledges fosters a profound appreciation of the irreplaceable nature of ancient wilderness.

We camped on rock ledges to save disturbing the river banks and as I lay there snug in my (very warm) sleeping bag I wondered at the pungent smells, the sight of moss and vine entangled trees and the sounds of birds and wildlife hidden in the thick forest.

The last few days we hit placid waters, far quieter than the foaming white water we had plunged through and when the seaplane touched down to pick us up, I knew I would never forget this experience.

I never have and neither have the people who saved this special place.

Senator Brown: “In an age of much greater environmental alarm, the Franklin campaign
continues to send out shock waves of optimism around the world. Against huge odds, the wild river was saved because it galvanized national public opinion. Latest polls show the environment is easily the biggest issue for the future on people’s minds.”

Want to raft the Franklin River? Of course you do. Most river expeditions are ten days, though longer and shorter trips also run with any number of rafting companies.

Franklin River Saved: 25th Anniversary

By: Phoenix Arrien

Some years ago I rafted the mighty Franklin River, a wild waterway that plunges through pristine wilderness on the island of Tasmania.

The only reason I could do this was because 25 years ago a determined group of protestors and much of the Australian population saved this river from damming.

The 25th anniversary of the High Court decision which saved the Franklin River is on at the Federation Ballroom of Hobart’s Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Among the people attending tomorrow are Senator Bob Brown, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, David Bellamy, Senator Peg Putt, entrepreneur Dick Smith, ABC TV’s Peter
Thompson, Premier David Bartlett and actress Lorraine Bayly.
Songsters will include Lisa Yeates, Ian Paulin and (Goanna’s) Shane Howard who is flying in from Ireland to sing the campaign anthem ‘Let the Franklin Flow’ while author Richard Flanagan will reflect on the Franklin victory. Further details are at www.franklin25th.com

Tomorrow I will take you down that river into the great Tasmanian wilderness and over the waterfalls and into swirling foaming waters…put on your life vest and see you tomorrow.