On our epic circumnavigation (well part thereof) of Tasmania, after Launceston we ventured due northwest.

We were heading towards Cradle Mountain but had to stop at Westbury to look at the tractor museum, which was the only request from Chris for the whole trip.  Sadly the elderly man who runs it was taken ill and was in hospital that particular week, otherwise he doesn’t miss a day.  The neighbour kindly let us look around the yard which made Chris very happy but didn’t get to look inside the shed…maybe next time.  What a lovely little town.  I am sorry to say I didn’t take a photo of a tractor (sorry Claudette!!).

On our way to Westbury we saw a spire above the trees in this farmland and wended our way to find it.  What lovely blue-stone church we found called St Mary’s at Hagley.  Beautiful hydrangeas and trees decorated this old church and the lane way out was covered with trees growing on both sides meeting up to make a roofed colonnade.  It reminded me of the English countryside.

On our way out we met two ducks, unwavering when we went by, obviously guarding a nest of eggs.

Next stop was Liffey Falls, a magnificent cascade waterfall near the town.  One note to anyone wanting to visit there, do not follow the signs from Westbury, they took us on a long expedition worthy of Amundsen down a dirt road, up and down dale which took us the good part of an hour to reach.  On our way out not relishing the windy dirt road back, we managed to see a sign that had us just off the highway by a few minutes.  I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved (which I was) or a bit upset that we went the long road to get there.  Nevertheless the falls were so beautiful that I was too happy to worry about that.  There are four tiers to this waterfall which made for a pleasant walk down the track.  Coming back up was still okay as you stopped off to look at each one again.

 

Railton was lauded on entrance to be a topiary town with a multitude of topiary arrangements along our route.  One that struck a chord and made me stop to have a better look was the one at a war memorial with four soldiers woven with hedging.  I was very impressed.. a shame the sprinkler was on when I took the photo.

Next stop was Sheffield, Tasmania where their claim to fame is the murals that are dotted throughout the city.  We briefly stopped for afternoon tea and took a few pictures of the ones that interested us.  Nice to see that each town has been inventive enough to come up with a theme which brings people to their municipalities.

A few  interesting stops along our route to Cradle Mountain which will be in the next post.

 

Please go to the links here for my previous posts on Tasmania if you have missed any and are interested. Cheers…

Bay of Fires to Lilydale falls

Port Arthur 

Freycinet

Tasmin Peninsula; Tasmin Peninsula II

Point Puer

Hobart & Mt Wellington