October 2023 - Day 2 - Liffey Falls

On the second walking day of our October mini-break, the Westbury Womblers headed towards the delightful Liffey Valley. We passed by Oura Oura, the reserve created by Bob Brown and Bush Heritage Australia. This reserve contains his old cottage, which was the scene of many campaign meetings for battles to preserve Tasmanian wilderness areas.

Along some pretty and winding gravel roads, we found the quiet and natural little campground in the Liffey River Reserve. This area was first protected in 1991 when Bob Brown went out on a limb financially to buy it to protect it against intended logging. With the support of a sympathetic bank manager and some generous supporters, Liffey became the first Reserve for a new conservation organisation, the Australian Bush Heritage Fund, now Bush Heritage Australia. In 2013 the Liffey River and Coalmine Creek Reserves were included in a 170,000 hectare expansion of the 1.4 million hectare Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Access from this lower end of the trail offers an 8km (return) walk (3 hours) through the rainforest. There is a shorter option available from a carpark area above the falls (2km return, 45 minutes walking). There was no phone signal in the valley, but Lyn managed to record our walk:

We gathered and set off along the trail to Liffey Falls, once again in good weather (so lucky!).

The track to Liffey Falls was delightful, well made and maintained, and followed the course of the Liffey River for most of the way.

The riparian rainforest was lush and glowing in the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. The treeferns were huge and rampant.

Kat found some more orchids.

The Falls were stunning.

After checking out the upper cascades, we decided to spread out on the rocks below the lower cascades to enjoy our snacks/lunches.

We were all blown away by this beautiful patch of rainforest, and there was much talk of coming back again. Perhaps to take part in a volunteer working bee, for example to eradicate the influx of foxgloves which has followed a recent bridge re-build on the track.

A light rain started just as we emerged from the trail, so we hustled into our cars and headed back to Westbury. Having missed our morning coffee, it was time to re-caffeinate at the Western Tiers Distillery. Some of us also sampled their alcoholic product.

Next on the list was an exhibition of local artists in the Westbury Council chambers.

Several of us visited over the afternoon, and Lyn actually bouoght a painting that took her fancy.

Some of us also wombled on the Westbury common or village green, a lovely English style park with huge European trees and historic homes dotted around the edges. There is lots of history here in Westbury.

For our last dinner here, we visited the Westbury Hotel for some standard pub fare and lots more conversation. It was just a short stroll there and back.

As per our group's tradition, our last morning together featured a huge cookup of scrambled eggs, tomatoes, bacon and toast. Yummo, and thanks to the chefs once again!

We rolled into our various vehicles and started wending our way to home or to our next destinations. What a fabulous weekend of beautiful forests, enjoyable walks, cultural treats, and of course - great friendship and company.