The Serengeti of Tasmania - No Hooning

We are wrapping up our time here in Tasmania with a visit to Narawntapu National Park in the northern part of the island.  It is known to be the Serengeti of Tasmania with lots of animals.  We have not been disappointed!  But Hooning is frowned upon.

On our way to Narwantapu, we stopped at the Beaconsfield Goldmine and Heritage Center.  The gold mining experience here in Tasmania was very much like that of the states.

While this is still an operating subterranean goldmine, it is probably going to close in July as it is too costly without return to continue its operation.  The mine's pumping station was one of the biggest in the world when it was built around the turn of the century, pumping more than 8 million gallons of water out of the mines a day.

Upon our arrival at Narwantapu, we secured a campsite on the edge of the open plain, "Serengeti".

Before sunset we took a hike to the beach a couple of kilometers away.

As sunset approached on the Tasmanian "serengeti", we did not need to wait long to see pademelons (wallabies), forrester kangaroos, possums, and of course what we really wanted to see....wombats.

Wombats are related to koalas except they are ground and burrow dwellers.  They don't climb trees and are great lawn mowers.  We had seen one at the zoo, but here in Narwantapu they come out on the "Serengeti" looking like miniature buffalos on the range.  At dusk they are hard to see and blend into the bracken.    If you look hard, you can just see one coming out to graze.

They are pretty shy and will run away if you get too close, but some people have been able to get close enough to pet them.  The wombats from what we understand have very powerful legs and if a predator (dog, dingo, cat) invades their den, they have been known to crush the predator by positioning their backs against the enemy and pushing with their legs against one den wall pressing it's back to the opposite wall.  Squish!

There were a couple of Aussies who had set up lawn chairs in the bracken on the edge of the plain. They had their glasses of wine and cheese, getting ready for the show.   It was a good idea and we decided to do the same the following evening.

This couple are retired math and science teachers from Queensland.  They have a caravan and rig outfit that they take everywhere.  They sound as if they are permanent gypsies.   This 4x4 was custom made for them and carries loads of water and petrol for their outback experiences.  Looks bullet proof.  The back trailer or caravan as they call it here in Australia, pops up and out.

No Hooning
We saw this sign in the campground and were mystified, so we googled it.

HOONING???

According to the online urban dictionary, it has two definitions.  1) driving recklessly; and 2) having sex with someone.  Quite a diversified definition and is a word I can't wait to use when playing Words with Friends.  Not sure which one the park service had in mind, BUT we could be in trouble. hahahaha!

Yesterday, we took a hike around the lagoon

 and across the plain,

and were fortunate enough to glimpse a small platypus in a swampy pool,

Can you see the platypus?  I think there are two of them.

black swans,

lots of water birds,  more wombats,

and the big forrester kangaroos.

Even though these roos are called Eastern Greys, the ones we saw were reddish in color and were easily six feet tall.  They are powerful animals.   We didn't get too close as the ranger told us they weren't very friendly.  Not sure if they were prone to hooning either.

Today, the weather is cool and overcast.  It's a good day to blog and plan out the next couple of weeks as we travel the mainland back to Brisbane.  We will leave tomorrow for Devonport and once again board the all day ferry on Sunday.   Adelaide and the Flinders Range is our next short term destination. So long Tasmania!  It's been great getting to know you.

All is Well with the 2 Land Travel R's in Waltzing Matilda.