Quick tip for anyone thinking of visiting this area – DO IT! Stop thinking and give the wonderful people at Tall Timbers a call, book in now and come and experience this incredible place for yourself. While you are here too, make sure you order the pizza – Oh My, best pizza I have tasted in SUCH a long time!

Last night we caught up with some friends who live in Melbourne and were also holidaying. We had the pizza for dinner and the first thing you notice is how heavy the boxes are! So yummy.  It was great to have an apartment to catch up, with plenty of space and everything we needed to entertain. Certainly easier than entertaining in the camper trailer.

After deciding to stay an extra night at Tall Timbers, we got up ready to explore the area. While I was enjoying a coffee, Teddy was saying good morning to the cows next door. He is certainly a sociable little man our Teddy Bear and his language is starting to change too. Where before he would not even try to talk (he is almost 2.5) now he is making animal noises and MOOOO is something we hear a lot up here with the amount of cows around.

Coming from Canberra, the Bush Capital, the first thing we noticed is just how lush and green it is in the North West. The pastures are a brilliant green and the cows look fat and happy! It was no surprise when we learnt this is where much of the state’s milk comes from and the Devondale plant is nearby.

With Jemma now bouncing off the walls, fully recovered thanks to a hearty dinner of fried rice and a good night sleep in a comfy warm bed, it was time to tackle the Nut. The Nut is an amazing mountain that you can see for miles on the landscape, it has an equally amazing path up its side in which to walk. Now many people prefer to take the chairlift to the top, not us! The path is so steep that if you lost your footing, you would not stop rolling till you hit the bottom, this was a little worrying with three kids and only two parents to catch. We thought it best to put Teddy into the backpack – not what he thought best though. He screamed until we let him out and he, and the girls, tackled the mountain all on their own. Greg and I were absolutely in awe of them, it was no mean feat that it for sure.

The view from the top was awesome, well worth the exertion. At the top there is a loop walk that takes in the breathtaking 360 degree views. It takes you through grasses, ferns and little lookouts, it is incredible to see the diversity in just one mountain! We saw plenty of pademelons, birds and lizards.

The way down again was very steep so it was into the backpack for Teddy – he didn’t like it but we didn’t give him the choice this time. All the way down the girls complained that we should have taken the chairlift, that was until we got to the bottom and used the money we saved on the lift to buy them ice creams!

From the Nut we headed back to Tall Timbers for lunch and to ponder our next location. After seeing some great photos in the reception of Dip Falls, I was keen to head out there. Greg wanted to get out there a little closer to evening for the right light to get some great shots. About 5ish we headed out there, only problem was the sun goes down so late here in Tassie. We took a wrong turn at one point but as we had plenty of time it was nice to take the “scenic route”.  One thing I can never get over is just how amazingly lush and green it is out here. I know I have said it before but it really is amazing to see for yourself.

Finally we reached the start of the Falls walk. We knew it would be short however we didn’t realise how steep it was – could we all tackle two steep walks in one day? Ah, let’s give it a go and find out. Boy was it worthwhile! The falls are incredible.

Hexagonal basalt rocks send the water down in different directions. The falls are quite tall, my photo only shows the bottom half of them.  The sound is quite remarkable, the roaring water as it cascades down the rocks.

Greg went further downstream to get some photos so I returned to the car with the kids. After a big day, I was struggling up the steps but the three kids – yes Teddy included – bounded up those stairs like nothing else. Ok, so I have learnt not to underestimate my children on this trip!

I make it sound hard – it sort of is, but don’t let that stop you at all, please. These walks are worth every second of effort you put into them and the sense of achievement too.

Just down the road from Dip Falls is the Big Tree – yes, it certainly lives up to its name. This is a must see as it realy gives you some perspective on how big and old some of these giants really are.

Back to Tall Timbers, it was a very good night sleep for all of us. It really was nice to have this camping trip broken up by some accommodation and Tall Timbers is the best place to base yourself for your Tarkine Adventures.

Off to Arthur River tomorrow to experience the Roaring 40s!