New Norfolk

We are well and truly settled here in New Norfolk, one of the historic towns of Tasmania, first settled back in the early 1800's. Now who could resist going to the local pub for a drink when it has the oldest pub in Australia, (trading from the same place with the same licence).  Our current residence is very nice, very quiet and right on the banks of the River Derwent.  The nights and early mornings are getting a bit nippy though, we have been down to 2 degrees in the morning, the nights are not so bad as we do have a heater, an electric blanket and I have long ugg boots.
So what have we been doing?  Our first day was spent travelling up to Strathgordon, about 100 km away.  The views over Lake Pedder are absolutely gorgeous (on a sunny day), but on the wet, cold, windy day that we visited the view was somewhat obscured.  (I know the views are great as I have been before).  On we travelled to the Gordon River Dam, again it was wet, maybe even wetter and colder.  But we managed a peek before hopping back in the car for shelter.
As the weather cleared again we took a turn off the main road and headed out to the Edgar Dam, about 30 km along a dirt (wet) road.  When we arrived at the only place where we could have viewed Lake Pedder in all its glory, the rain came down again.  So we tossed the whole idea away of playing tourist and drove back to the comfort of our little trailer.
Yesterday was bright and sunny so we took off to see the Giants of the Styx Forest.  The forest is home to some mighty Swamp Gums, the tallest was, in its prime, over 90 metres tall.  Now because of age and weather conditions etc it is only 87 metres tall. These magnificent trees soar up so high that you almost have to lie on the ground to see their tops.  When they reach their full height it is estimated that they are about 400 years old - not old by some standards, but thank heaven they have been preserved and will continue to be protected for all to enjoy.
After that visit we headed back down the road to the Mt Field NP, which is something on a Tasmanian icon.  We decided to do the 6 km walk, which took in the beautiful Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls.  Along the way we walked through another forest of Swamp Gums.  It was a great walk but there was one section that involved a staircase that rose from the creek to the top of the hill, with at least 300 - 400 steps.  That walk sure gave the heart a workout.
We hopped back in the car and the heavens opened, so someone up there must love us, we would have hated to be out there in the wet.
This morning dawned bright so for something really different we headed into Hobart, about 30 km down the road - a quick drive.  Not like driving from my place to the city that's for sure.  First stop we headed up to Mt Wellington.  The view from the top is always breath taking, but the wind is so strong it almost throws you over the edge.
Back in the comfort of the car again we headed down the mountain and into Hobart where we spent the better part of the day just wandering around.  Battery Point and Salamanca Place are just so much like The Rocks in Sydney, then of course there is Constitution Dock where the Sydney to Hobart finishes up.
So all in all we had a great day.
Tomorrow we are off to do some more exploring then on Thursday we move further south to Huonville which will be our base for a few days as we discover what the real south of Tasmania has to offer.