SCOTTSDALE – North East Tasmania

Our next camp was at North East Peoples Park, a donation camp run by the local Lions Club. What a great camp, clean toilets, showers, drinking water and set in a beautiful park. The Park is named after Charles Northeast, who initiated the concept of a park for the people in 1930. The park was opened in 1935 with a swimming carnival and over 1000 people attended. The park is a beautiful open space with ponds and gardens and is part of the North East Tasmania Rail Trail. There are platypus in the river, and although we looked each afternoon we didn't see any. We only intended staying a few days at Scottsdale, but with the bush fires raging in many parts of Tasmania in January, we stayed put until we were sure it was safe to travel the Midland Highway.

Scottsdale is only 20 mins from Bridestowe Lavender Farm, and 1 hour from Launceston. The area is a timber cutting area, but many farms and dairies can also be found in the surrounding district. Originally known as Cox’s Creek, Cox’s Paradise, Hazelwood, Hazelton and Ellesmers, the town is named after James Scott, the Government Surveyor who cut the first track to Cape Portland through the area in 1852. He noted the rich soil in the area. The first inhabitants were the Pyemmairrener Aboriginal people. The first Europeans to settle in the area were Janet and Andrew Anderson were they took up a holding near Bridport in 1833.

We packed a lunch and drove up to Bridport, about 20 minutes north and known as the Gold Coast of Tasmania and is a summer vacation area. It certainly is a beautiful area. Named as it is located on the port of the Brid River, and was proclaimed a town in 1883.

Located on Anderson's Bay, we found a lovely spot. It was a bit windy to walk along beach.

From Bridport we did a circuit drive along the coast through the conservation areas to a golf course - one of two here, then took Old Waterhouse Road back to Scottsdale.

Another day trip was an inland circuit from Scottsdale to Derby. First stop was Ledgerwood and the beautiful avenue of WW1 memorial tree carvings. These trees were planted in 1918, one for each of the 25 fallen men from the town. A report in 2001 said the trees were unsafe, and by 2004 it was decided that each tree would be carved into the likeness of each soldier by Eddie Freeman. This is also a donation camp for self contained vans. We also went to have a look at the free camp at Ringarooma, just down the road. Both were good, and a good alternative to Scottsdale, which did get crowded during the week.

Derby was the location we chose for lunch. Once a tin mining town that was devastated by Briseis Dam disaster and floods in 1929, however still retains some of the old buildings. The area was surveyed by James Scott in 1855, but it wasn't until the 1870's, when settlers were looking for gold, that tin was discovered in 1874 by George Renison Bell. In 1876 a mine was opened by the Krushka brothers and named The Brothers Mine. The town grew around the mine. In 1887 the name of the town was changed to Derby, perhaps after the Earl of Derby, Edward Smith-Stanley, who had been the Prime Minister of Britain from 1866-1868. Derby today is a mountain bikers heaven with numerous trails.

Not far away is the town of Branxholm, also with a donation camp. The Imperial Hotel was built in 1907.

An interesting area on the Tale of the Tin Dragon Trail which tells the history of the area through Chinese history in Australia. Along with the discovery of tin, came the Chinese miners.

Taking some little back roads we went through some lovely farming land. This area is known as the heart of the ‘Bible belt’ of the Exclusive Brethren. We had heard about an Amish Tea Room, just off the main highway to Launceston, and it was just like being in the Amish Pennsylvanian tea rooms. 

The small café is surrounded by veggie gardens and fresh produce is also sold. Inside the tea rooms are bolts of fabric and notions and finished patchwork bags, wall-hangings, mats, and small quilts. I did buy some scrap bags.

We had scones, tea, (Devonshire tea $5.75) milkshake ($4), and apple slice ($4.50) – all homemade on site without electricity. I have no idea how the milkshake was kept so cold, but it was.

 On yet another day we drove into Launceston to go to Spotlight and Anaconda. We had been told the main road to Launceston from Scottsdale was not really the best for caravans, and it wasn't. When we did finally leave Scottsdale we took another road that went around the mountain and came into Launceston from the north. We did this circuit drive. At the top of the range is this beautiful lookout, where we had lunch.

 On a clear day one can see Flinders Island.

We stayed 6 nights at Scottsdale, before heading to the Midland Highway - looking every afternoon for the elusive platypus.