Waratah

...is a village in North Western Tasmania ( pop 227). It was the site of the biggest tin mine in the Southern Hemisphere, founded in 1871 by James “Philosopher” Smith. He used the waterfall in the town to provide the first industrial hydro- electric power with the use of 7 water wheels.

This town is now a tourist stopover for people accessing the Tarkine Rainforest. We went to check out the Philosphers Falls but opted out due to its isolation and the inclement weather. We were too late in the day and did not have adequate rain gear for a long hike in the Bush ( Forest).... it looked so dark and gloomy we both decided it wasn’t for us today.

This evening I had messages and calls from all the family as it’s my birthday. 59 again? at dusk I wandered down platypus spotting with some other campers. We saw a few which was great but too dark for any decent blips.

Cold and snow forecast for tomorrow!