Nele & Andrew Around Oz: Land of the Giants Campground, Mount Field National Park, TAS

Day 317 – 30^th December 2011

Land of the Giants Campground, Mount Field National Park, TAS

After breaky we drove back to Queenstown where we were lucky to see the old steam train leave for its daily tourist journey to Strahan via the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Next we stopped at the Iron Blow Lookout on top of Gormanston Hill, looking over the decommissioned open-cut mine – now filled with emerald water. Not long after we crossed Lake Burbury and drove into Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers NP. First stop was a short walk to 35m high Nelson Falls (1.4km return – 15min). Next we continued on to Donaghy’s Hill where we had lunch and took a walk to a lookout offering views towards Frenchmans Cap and the Franklin River (2.2km return – 30min). Third stop was at the Franklin River where the Nature Trail took us past the Franklin and Surprise Rivers (1km loop – 10min). Last stop was at King William Saddle providing beautiful views of the surrounding ranges. Afterwards we drove into Derwent Bridge to admire stunning “The Wall in the Wilderness” created by wood sculptor Greg Duncan who’s carving a panorama in wood panels depicting the history of the Tasmanian Highlands. Next we travelled the scenic route to Tarraleah, Ellendale and Westerway to Mount Field NP. Before setting up camp we walked to Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees (1km return -45mins).