MOUNT BARROW, Skemp FNC & Myrtle Park

 

1/ Mt Barrow is in north eastern Tasmania. It is East of Launceston and can be seen on the Launceston skyline. It was chosen as the telecommunications hub of north east Tasmania, because it is 1414 metres high. This photo shows the road that approaches Mt Barrow.

2/ As you climb towards the peak of Mt Barrow, this great view of Mt Arthur, just 10 kilometres away, comes into view.

3/ This is Mt Barrow's eastern face as seen from the Ben Lomond Plateau.

4/ This is the view of Mt Barrow just before you enter the forest at its base.

5/ At the base of Mt Barrow is a picnic ground and with a short forest walk.

6/ This is the forest walk at the Mt Barrow picnic ground. The walk has a number of interpretation panels.

7/ Mt Barrow is a sheer, rocky wall over 300 metres high with vast scree fields falling off it.

8/ This is one of the massive, rocky peaks near the telecommunications station. It would be quite a challenge to climb it.

9/ This is looking directly up the wall towards the telecommunications tower. The tower is at least 50 metres high, so you can guess at the height of the rocky wall.

10/ This is the view from the Mt Barrow plateau looking towards the north. The Bass Sea is visible on the horizon.

11/ Mt Barrow is a vast plateau with great views in all directions. This view is looking towards the north west.

12/ This is the view from the car park, looking up towards the telecommunications station on the peak of Mt Barrow. It was quite a climb up the rocks.

13/ This is the same view in winter. Note how the peak is now totally cloud covered and snow covers the car park. For safety reasons only 4WD vehicles are allowed on the mountain, when it is snowing.

14/ This is the view from the car park to the single lane road down the mountain. It should be obvious why only 4WD vehicles are allowed on the mountain, when it snows.

15/ This is the view from half way up the peak looking towards the north east. The monument is on the right in the car park.

16/ This photo shows the telecommunications station on the peak. It has a great view of the surrounding country.

17/ This photo is looking south towards the South Barrow Peak, where the other communications station is located. The road you can see leads towards it.

18/ This photo shows the base of the cable car that was used to send materials up to the telecommunications station on the peak of Mt Barrow that you saw above.

19/ This photo was shot near Tayene, which is east of Mt Barrow. It shows the communications towers from the other point of view. You can see that the towers plainly dominate the landscape.

20/ This is a closer view of the towers. This photo was taken during the winter of 2015. Mt Barrow is frequently covered in a blanket of snow.

21/ This photo shows the other group of communications towers.

22/ This photo shows the car park and monument. Beyond are the northern mountains.

23/ This photo shows the monument and beyond it the other telecommunications station on South Barrow. Unfortunately, the plaque had been removed.

24/ Near the car park, with a great view of the northern coast, was this old emergency hut.

25/ This is the impressive view out of the Mt Barrow hut's window.

26/ In many directions you can see rocks, carved by the wind into interesting sculptures.

 

1/ The road from the monument continues to the south to Little Mt Barrow, which is 1450 metres high. Here there is another telecommunications station.

1/ The is the view looking north back towards the station on Mt Barrow seen above.

3/ This is one of the two towers at the telecommunications station at South Barrow. I estimated that it was at least 60 metres high.

4/ This is a view of the rocky landscape around South Barrow. Beyond on the southern horizon is Launceston.

5/ This photo shows the other taller tower at South Barrow compared to the above tower. I estimated that it was about 120 metres high.

 

1/ Myrtle Park is off the A3 Tasman Highway just north of Targa. This is the view as you approach Myrtle Park from the North on C854 the road to Golconda. Mount Barrow dominates the countryside near Myrtle Park.

2/ Myrtle Park is a combined caravan park, picnic ground and entertainment area. which is just north of Targa. This image shows the halls at Myrtle Park. There is also a cafe and a large toilet facility at Myrtle Park.

3/ Myrtle Park has many grand old trees, as well as large lawns that give the area a deeply serene ambiance.

4/ This image shows one of the grand old trees of Myrtle Park. Underneath the tree is a picnic table.

5/ On the edge of Myrtle Park is a fresh water stream that is part of the water supply of Launceston.

 

1/ The Skemp Center is run by the Launceston Field Naturalist Club. Is a 153 acre property dedicated to protecting native plants and animals. It is located north of Myrtle Bank Park and is accessed via Targa Hill Road, Myrtle Bank Road and finally Skemps Road. However, you need the permission of the club before you can visit it. This gallery shows photos I made on a club trip in 2021.

2/ The center is criss crossed by a variety of tracks with many signs describing the plants that you see as you progress on your tour. Any mobile person can follow the tracks.

3/ This lovely red plant is a waratah. Depending on the season, you will see a variety of plants.

4/ This strange plant growing on a log captured my attention.

5/ This was one of many large trees on the property.

6/ This white gum was one of the largest trees on the property.

7/ This image shows the sclerophyll forest that dominates the area.

8/ Mt Arthur dominates the skyline to the west of the center.

9/ I was hoping to capture some fauna, however, none came into view. This is a jumping jack ant nest. These ants deliver a very painful bight, so you should take care to avoid them.