9 March 2007

Arnold River Power Station

page 2

The bush is tall but with lots of gaps in the canopy. What light does get through is patchy and quite intense and the pictures tend to be contrasty or with burned out areas. It's difficult to get any kind of sharp focus in a large picture.

Filmy fern thrive here

We're starting to climb a little and, hello, what's this around the corner. Been here long enough for a detour to be plainly visible.

There are small ferns everywhere.

At this point you begin to climb quite sharply, and here, also, it's been a week or two since the last maintenance team went through

The track continues level for a while up top, the trees thinning out a little as we go.

Once again, the vegetation changes, as the ground around becomes somewhat wetter

More filmy fern.

Suddenly we emerge at the top of a cliff overlooking the dam

As we head back into the bush, boardwalk provides a safe transit through boggy area, where the trees are hanging with lichens, moss and ferns.

More boardwalk.

Then we've come full circuit and begin a sharpish descent, though the path is always friendly

There's one bit where it falls away sharply

but we're soon past that

and back down among the ferns again

Here's one just starting

We're right down beside the river, and before long

we're out in the open again

and crossing the grassy bridge and

back to the van

Fatman time a minute or two past the hour with plenty of relaxed time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

This walk is well worth taking a break in your trip. When I asked Lerey about it later in Westport, she knew it well. It's mostly patronised by locals and coasters who know it's there, and they keep it relatively quiet. So, don't tell everybody, but don't miss it either. Thanks, Ian.