To the edge... we were pushed to the edge today... the edge of the world that is! We drove to a remote (although less than an hour from Smithton) location on the far north west coast of Tasmania today. It is also claimed that you can breathe in the world's cleanest and freshest air in this part of the world as the wind comes in from the south west - southern ocean and Antarctica the only source for the air! That made it sound particularly cold though!
We witnessed some amazing rainbows on the way to the edge of the world - we could even see the end of them in paddocks... no pot of gold though. It was a winding road, through lush cattle farms for most of the journey, with dense forest on occassions. I guess it all used to be thick forest at one time. We passed 'Tarkine Forest Adventures' but, like much of Tassie is closed for winter, so we couldn't stop.
Arrived at the mouth of the Arthur River, which also has a small community of fibro shacks - good old fashioned seaside holiday town. The Arthur River boats were also out of action for winter - the good thing about all these businesses being closed was that we couldn't spend any money! The natural features were free and they were great anyway!
Went to the Edge of the World which even has a plaque to signify it really is the edge. The plaque has a poignant poem on it...
I cast my pebble on to the shore of eternity
To be washed away by the ocean of time
It has shape, form and substance
It is me
One day I will be no more
But my pebble will remain here
On the shore of eternity
Mute witness for the aeons
That today I came and stood
At the edge of the world
And so we stood there, in the cold wind, rugged up, at the edge of the world, contemplating the deeper things of life... well the kids were thinking of the chocolate frogs that mummy had packed for morning tea. So that's where we went... back to the car for chocolate frogs.
Visited Blufff Hill Point and its lighthouse before heading back up to another small community, Marrawah, which apparently is Tasmania's suring capital with a contest each year that attracts international surfers. We followed the signs to a picnic area near the beach. This was a terrific spot. Not as windy, not as cold, either that or we were just getting used to it. The views were great, north towards Mt Cameron West and the windfarms of Woolnorth, which are where the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait meet. There was a long stretch of beach, although covered in
seaweed which didn't help the claim of the cleanest freshest air!
We enjoyed lunch and a walk / run on the beach. The southern tip of this sweeping bay was called, rather imaginatively Green Point - I guess because the lush green pastureland extended right down to the rocks and the waves.
Drove home the route we came and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon around camp.
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