Tag Archives: Rosebery

Nearing and then on the Lyell Highway

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The pastures continued lush and green.

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You can see a short stretch of the Derwent River in the second photo and the township of Gretna (the destination for this stage) is located on the hill above.

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Massive log trucks, taking their pickings to market from our pristine wilderness forests, roared past me.

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Before long the Lyell Highway, which connects Hobart to the west coast mining towns of Queenstown, Zeehan, Strahan and Rosebery, appeared in view.

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I turned left towards the township of Gretna (which, I note was not listed on any of the signs in the vicinity of this intersection). A few isolated properties, of various vintages, edged the highway.

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Each step took me closer to my destination for the day.

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Then the Derwent River came back into view as it snaked its way beneath Gretna.

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The sign indicating only 500 metres to the Gretna Green Hotel brought on the thought of a long cold drink and filled me with excitement.

Water Treatment Plant

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I continued on from Atherfield House and, after passing the Glenfern Rd turn off, I walked westwards until a clearing gave me unexpected access to the river and a full view of a heavy building on the other side. I have not been able to determine the function of this stand-alone structure, however I suspect the building somehow connects with structures soon encountered on my side of the river further along.

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On the non-river side of the road some acres had been circled with high protective fences.

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This was Bryn Estyn, a Water Treatment Plant.

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I wondered if I was dreaming; were the two golden projections on top of the building simulated sheep?

Fences and limited or non-existent river access were the most memorable features of my walk. A good example of these barriers is shown below.

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In the photo above you can see the Lyell Highway on the other side of the river. This road sits close to the river for many kilometres then turns inland away as it wends its way to Tasmania’s west coast towns of Queenstown, Strahan, Zeehan and Rosebery – via Derwent Bridge at Lake St Clair.