For many years the apple industry of Tasmania has been one of the biggest in the world, and the Huon Valley has always been at the forefront of this. The towns here were the centers of production for the industry, and a lot of the heritage buildings are associated with apple growing and producing. To really see what the apple history here is all about we paid a visit to the Huon Apple and Heritage Museum. Set up in an old packing shed, you get a good feel for the evolution of the apple industry here- an evolution that is inextricably tied in with the history of the Huon Valley. There are a host of old machines on display, as well as other associated artifacts, plenty of photographs and over 500 different species of apple. The insights into the lives of settlers in the early 1800’s I found particularly interesting.
It’s just a 30 minute drive from Hobart to Huonville, the commercial capital of the Huon Valley. Driving into this small town of 1700 people is like taking a step into the past, and we soon notice that about all the settlements in the Huon Valley. While Hobart is a modern and vibrant city, towns like Huonville and Geeveston seem to have retained the elements of their past very faithfully- although they have incorporated elements of modern life with these. Its a good combination, as you get a feel for the history of the area whilst having all the conveniences one may need to be comfortable.
To really appreciate the forest we took a trip to the Tahune Forest Reserve, a beautiful reserve on the banks of the Huon River. This is a must see for tourists because of the Tahune Air walk, a 600 meter walking platform built through the trees, 20 meters above the ground, that provides stunning views of the surrounds. In the centre of the walk there is a cantilever that rises 48 meters above the ground, and somehow I overcame my fear of heights to reach the peak of this.
Try spending the night in a cozy little town called Franklin, which again had that feeling that time seemed to forget it behind. Built on the River Banks, it has hung onto a village atmosphere and many of the buildings are made from the local pine, which gives it a very alpine feel. We were told by many that a visit to the Hastings caves were in order, and indeed the 40 million year old chambers took mine and my family’s breath away. Stalactites and stalagmites rise and fall in a rich tapestry of color and light, making it easy to picture oneself being on another planet. A visit to the caves was topped off with a swim in the warm thermal springs, and conveniently there are picnic and barbeque facilities there as well. On a holiday to Hobart, we just couldn’t resist a couple of days checking out the Huon Valley. No one seems to have anything bad to say about these southerly parts of the island, and driving through it now I can see why. The landscapes remind me of fairytales my grandmother used to read to me as a child, and looking at the low lying clouds swirling around the tops of the thick forest I’m filled with a strange sense of nostalgia, despite never having visited these parts before.
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