#1 Day trip along the North West Coastline with a Geological Theme:
The Created From Chaos Trail
Travel along the North West Coast visiting islands, cliffs and beaches from the Mersey Bluff lighthouse in Devonport to the lighthouse on Table Cape getting an understanding of Tasmanians evolution.
Follow the route developed for Rotary Club of Devonport by geologist/photographer Peter Manchester.
#2 Day trip to Gunns Plains – only about 20 minutes drive away
Gunns Plains is a rich fertile valley along the Leven River, which has some of the most spectacular views of rural Tasmania.
- Spectacular views when descending into the valley
- Wing’s Wildlife Park – have a cuppa or lunch here.
- Gunns Plains Caves
Suggested time table
- 9.30 am Leave Sleepy Dell Cottage, driving south to Gunn’s Plains.
- 9.45 am Take photos from viewing point along the way.
- 10.00 am Arrive at Wing’s Wildlife Park – have a cuppa or light lunch after viewing the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife in Australia. A wide range of exhibits include Tasmanian Devil , Koala, Wombat , numerous parrots and exotics like Camels , Bison and Water Buffalo. For drizzly wet days, they have a large number of exhibits under cover
- Open 10.00 am – 4.00pm. Closed for Christmas Day
- 1.00 pm Depart Wing’s Wildlife Park, cross the Leven River , heading south to The Caves
- 1.30pm Join tour of caves ( please confirm tour times the previous day)
The cave was discovered in 1906 by Bill Woodhouse during a hunting trip after, it is reputed, his dogs fell into a hole that formed part of the cave. It has been used as a show cave for most of the 20th century. It is renowned for its magnificent formations, including calcite shawls and flowstones, and has a glow-worm display
Interpretive guided tours of the cave are run daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. For further information contact Gunns Plains cave guide for tour times and costs, please phone (03) 6429 1388
- 2.30pm Cave tour ends. Return to Riana by retracing route OR do a circular return route and see more country side by driving North to Ulverstone, west to Penguin back to Riana. The Dial Range will be on your left hand side
- 3.30 – 4.00 pm arrive at Sleepy Dell Cottage.
#3 Leven Canyon
From Sleepy Dell Cottage, drive south to Gunns Plains, then up the windy road to Preston. Check out Preston Falls, a 5 minute walk from the car park, then head south, following the signs to the Leven Canyon car park and picnic area. Keep an eye out for the pademelons (also called rufous wallabies) around the car park.
Walks range from 20 to 45 minutes, and give spectacular views of the Canyon. Cruikshanks Lookout is perched 275m above the canyon floor.
A few minutes further down the road is a walking track to the canyon floor.
For more details: http://www.centralcoast.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/leven_brochure_web_spread.pdf