Deloraine to Mole Creek

The Ride

It was a hot few days coming up, temperatures well into the 30's. At least today wasn't far, and the ride was broken up by a few attractions along the way. Probably the most interesting all-in-one day of the whole trip!

See full ride details

01:59:50

18.57

9.2

32.0

The view out of Deloraine, heading towards scary looking hills.

Note the bike pump is intact. The valve fell off shortly after this photo, never to be seen again.

Melita Honey Farm, Chudleigh

The first stop is at Chudleigh, at the Melita Honey Farm (website)

Hard to argue with their Manuka ice cream, I have to say. Particularly on a hot day. 

 You can watch the bees at work which is fascinating.

 Here's the outside, and ...

 ...Don't know if this is related to the farm, but there's an organ knocking out tunes at a fantastic volume!

Trowunna Wildlife Park 

website


Just a bit further along the road heading towards Mole Creek, is a fantastic Wildlife Sanctuary. 
The entrance is announced with a giant Tassie Devil.

This is more of a sanctuary than a Wildlife Park. Do not expect great facilities, but if you love the native Tasmanian animals, you will be delighted. The animals are largely rescued here and later rehabilitated into the wild.

First stop on the guided tour are the Wombats, where the ranger actually lets you hold a baby wombat, which is incredibly cute. Her name? Puffin!

Then on to the Tassie Devils, where the ranger holds one himself, and if you are lucky you will see feeding time (not for the faint hearted). The Park was the first to identify the long incubation period of the facial tumour disease; they play an important role in protecting this iconic species.

Tassies Devils like to bathe too!

He's sizing me up for dinner...It reminds me I met a rather crazy traveller who told me that Tassie Devils were the perfect partner in crime. If you want to get rid of a dead body, feed it to the Devils. They eat everything. Flesh, bone, erm.. clothes? And they don't leave a trace.

There are echidnas, koalas and many other native species here.

You are free to roam amongst the Forester Kangaroos and Bennets Wallabies and feed them, which delights children and adults. The rangers are extremely knowledgeable and friendly here.

P.S. If you're on a cycling tour, beware it's quite a difficult climb up to the Park on a steep gravelly track.

Alum Cliffs State Reserve (Gog ranges)

I went past it today but didn't visit till the next day, and a good thing as it's a long steep climb up there, and a long walk after you lock up the bike, so it would be necessary to carry all the bags!

There is a spectacular viewing platform once you get there (about 800m from the car park).

Mole Creek Caves

I decided against visiting just yet due to budget reasons. However both caves are not far from the camp site and are well worth visiting, as I was to see them later.
 
The Campsite - Mole Creek Caravan Park 

Official Website


This camp site is quite small but has decent facilities with a camp kitchen. There is a cute brook running around one side of the camp site, shallow enough for children to play in.

However, shade is a big problem here. Those with tents are herded to the brook side, in full sun all day with no shade. Meanwhile, those in RV's/campervans get the luxury of tree shade, when they already had the shade of their vans.


As I stayed here three roasting hot days (sorting out a way to Launceston to replace my bike pump), I think the tent took a real hit and suffered UV damage.


Another issue for some might be lack of mobile phone signal (Telstra). There is nothing here, not even in Mole Creek. You can eke out a signal if you climb the hills e.g. at Alum Cliffs. This was a problem when I had to book a bus (see later). They do have Wifi if you ask but it's very weak.

 The Characters
 
I met a lovely girl called Lee. She was photographing water features and National Parks and helping out with the aftermath of the Tassie bush fires, what an inspirational woman! I was to meet her again later on Bruny Island.

The Town 

Well, we're talking about Mole Creek here. We're getting away from civilisation a bit. No mobile signal, one small shop, a couple of pubs, and no bus. Wait - there is a bus! You have to call for the bus, otherwise it doesn't come this way. Thankfully someone in the shop knew this and gave me the number. Then I had to borrow a land line from the camp site to book the bus.

Another bus ride to Launceston
 
Well, the valve decided to fall off my brand new and expensive pump. I rode all the way back to Trowunna searching for it, to no avail.  So, you can't do a cycle tour without a pump. I had to get the bus to Launceston, the nearest place with a bike shop.

Of course it helps if the lovely bus driver lets you take the bike on the bus. Saved me a 3 mile walk each way, thank you very much kind lady!


With a new pump I was able to go on my way.