TASMANIA FINAL THOUGHTS
What a wonderful 10+ days I had on this island. It is so pristine, scenic, varied and easy to get around. It is in the process of being “discovered,” chiefly by the Chinese. I think that is partially due to the reputation for having the cleanest air and water on the planet. The main bottled water company just bottles rain water!
They are seeing nice economic growth by emphasizing the cleanliness. Pure Milk for Chinese children, beef for Japan, excellent wine, and on and on. I met someone who lives about an hour outside of Hobart raising Angus cattle. They run a pipe from the river to their house for water. No additional purification.
That said, mining has always played a big role in Australia, and Tasmania has not been totally exempt. See below. Fortunately there is not too much of it on the island.
That said, mining has always played a big role in Australia, and Tasmania has not been totally exempt. See below. Fortunately there is not too much of it on the island.
Many Americans come to Australia. If you are thinking of doing it someday, please include Tasmania on the itinerary. You will not be disappointed.
| I liked this dead tree hovering over the lake where others had already fallen. Soon, it will join them. |
| Typical rain forest view all over SW Tasmania. To see what it can look like after mining, see below. |
| Geographically very close to above shot. This is a copper mine outside of Queenstown. We all like all of our cool stuff, but there is a cost to everything. (Copper is a key component in electronics, phones, building materials and such. but, like all ores, it is messy and damaging to extract.) This is an old mine and one would wonder if this area will ever recover. Newer ones are surely better. Hopefully. |
| View of Tasman arch area, very far SE Tasmania |
| Same via telephoto |
| I will not attempt to scientifically explain this but it is called tessellated pavement. It is totally a natural occurrence, regardless of how it does not look like it is. Tasman peninsula. |
| Same tessellated pavement, but down on it. Like a cobblestone street with very straight angles. Totally weird. |
| The historic prison at Port Arthur, Tasmania. In operation 1832 until about 1870. Most of the buildings were damaged in forest fires of the 1890’s. |
| Guard house, dated 1835. |
 |
| The facade of the hospital. Being an unimportant prisoner, treatments would have been very scary to contemplate out here in the wilderness. |
| Hobart historic home, with Mt. Wellington in the background. (Their Mt. Ranier of a sort.) |
| One of many historic homes in Hobart and all still actively lived in. |
 |
| A really classic Hobart/Tasmania style from the mid 1800’s. |
 |
| Nice clean air sunset in Tasmania |
Thanks for sharing this corner of the world. Always nice to see what catches your eye. I really like seeing the houses.
Glad you enjoyed our beautiful Island home Dan