Here I am with Hells Gate and the lighthouse in the background.
The Gordon River runs into Maquarie Harbour. This is the begining of Western Tasmania's wilderness and protected National Park.
Thousand year-old Huon Pine trees are still growing on the banks of the Gordon, although cutting down growing trees is not aloud, there is still an abundance of fallen trees which are still used to make furniture, bowls etc.
Sarah Island on Maquarie Harbour was a convict settlement holding about 80 men and women at one stage. Skilled men build boats out of Huon Pine on the island and at one stage they were producing 80 ships a year! No unions on Sarah Island!
Sarah Island was the first convict settlement in Australia - Many tried to escape, but only a few suceeded, as the distance to walk out through the wilderness was far too far.
