TASMANIA 4 - MIDLANDS & VINTAGE BIKE SHOW

 

While we were at Trout Creek we met a guy from Launceston who told us about the Tasmanian Vintage Motorcycle Rally which was going to be held at Ross the following Sunday. He assured us that it was not to be missed so we decided to take a detour inland. We thought we would take a look at the camps available along the way and perhaps just drive the car on to Ross on the Sunday. However, we looked at free camps at St Marys and Fingal and although they were OK we really had gotten used to having a fire beside the water, so we left the van at the free camp at Fingal and drove north to Saddleback Plantation where there is a popular camp spot called Griffin Park on the South Esk River. We were told that motorbike riders frequent the place on weekends and with the forestry tracks and hill climbs we saw this didn’t surprise us. Unfortunately, the rubbish that was flowing out of overfull bins and laying all over the place made it look less than appealing so we decided that it wasn’t worth dragging the van all the way in as the road was windey, narrow and very steep in places. There is another camp beside the river on the way out to Grifffin and I would recommend it rather than driving the extra miles. The creek looked good for trout fishing too. With no nice camps on the way to the Midland Highway we thought it best to continue on to one of the camps there and have a good look around Campbell Town and Ross while we were there.
 

On the way out to Griffin Camp we passed the first of many poppy fields to be seen in Tassie. They really are very pretty!

 

The countryside in the midlands is a lot drier and flatter than the coastal areas.

There is a little roadside park at Conara but it was very ordinary so we ended up in Campbell Town at a free camp near the local oval. It was OK but we discovered that the Lions Park near the Red Bridge was much nicer and although it is listed as day use only, many caravaners park there overnight. Another nice surprise to us was our discovery that the National Sheep Dog Championships were on in Campbell Town that weekend as well so we spent some time there on Saturday and Sunday. These dogs are truly amazing and anyone who says it is boring to watch doesn’t really have an appreciation of just how well trained the dogs are (and how dumb sheep are). We learned a lot about the rules and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.



Most people I know can't concentrate as well as these dogs!



As well as the trials, there were several other interesting things to see around Campbell Town and Ross. The bridges proved particularly interesting, as they were built during the convict period and each has an interesting story behind it. Of course there were also lots of very old heritage buildings again with their own interesting history.

Red Bridge - Campbell Town (with timber sculptures alongside).

The famous bridge at Ross.



It is famous for its carvings of local characters of the day as well as images from nature.

 I also was taken by the many beautiful old churches and I finally had the opportunity to go inside one in Ross to see the amazing stained glass windows from the inside.

This church sits on the hill overlooking Ross.

I was really pleased to get a peek inside one of the old churches at last.

 

You can even buy this church in the main street of Campbell Town.

 

This church in Campbell Town didn't look to be in use.

This rose bush was absolutely laden with beautiful orange roses and was growing beside the old officers barracks in

Ross, right beside the caravan park.

Looking down the main street of Ross, with Catholic church on the left and pub on the right, both heritage listed buildings.

Highlight of the weekend of course was the Tasmanian Vintage Bike Rally. I have never seen so many heritage bikes in one place before. I will let the pictures tell the story.

 

 

 

 

 

Talk about a walk down memory lane!!!!