20160220 Tas Queenstown
20160220 Entering Queenstown and yes we’ve been
here before also but not for a good look.
And guess what? Yep, it’s another old mining town packed with loads of
history and lovely old buildings.
The first thing that’s that
grabs your attention as you enter the town are the murals depicting the town’s history.
The monument honour's the simple minors of old Queenstown.
One of
Queenstown’s major attraction is the restored Steam Train which takes you for a
for hour trip through the mountains at $90 a head, a 4 hour train ride didn’t
appeal to me.
One of the town’s quirky displays sits
outside a 2nd hand shop, the lady said it’s the only man to have.
Look! Des just found his 6ft 8 twin brother and
of all places, in the bottle shop and you wouldn’t guess it but he was a
basketball player in his day.
The Empire Hotel was once a thriving pub, built in
1901 it dates back to the wealth of the mining era at the turn of the 20th
Century. Inside is a National Trust
listed staircase made from Tasmania Blackwood. The raw timber was shipped to
England, carved and returned to Queenstown.
Our camp spot for the night, behind those clouds are Mountain Des, no there isn't said Des, I'll bet you there is but I can't tell you what the bet was but If you know Des you will guess and of cause I was right and he lost the bet.
Ha!Ha!
21-02-2016 After a night on the piss again we packed up and headed into town, Hal told Des to check out the museum it’s well worth a look and he was right.
A Railway Crow used to put curves in railway
lines, they certainly did it hard in those days.
Lyell disaster 1912, Harry Dawson was
entombed for 5 days and he never returned to mining again, he moved to Melbourne
and married and had one son, then he went to WW1 where he was killed in 1916,
it was a sad ending for Harry.
Billy Tea holder and warmer from the mining 20th century.
Petrified Wood, millions of years ago forest
of trees were completely covered by volcanic lava ash, no air could penetrate
this lava mass and over long period of time the wood fibre were replaced by
minerals that solidified turning the wood to stone.
Queenstown town centre where many shops are
closed down.
The historical Hunter Hotel is up for sale but
she sure needs some renovations.
We were told by a local it’s a must to check out Mount Jukes and the lake, it’s not far from Queenstown so off we go climbing, not just a windy road but a road in real need of repair.
Wel after a bumpy trip we made it to Mount Juke and West Juke Peak, arr, ok!
It is by the Lakes that a number of small mines were started in the early 20th century.
JUST A SMALL BIT OF BUNTING
It’s only a small bit of bunting,
It’s only an old coloured rag.
Yet thousands have died for its honour
And shed their best blood for the flag.
We hoist it to show our devotion
To our Queen, to our country and laws,
It’s the outward and visible emblem
Of advancement and liberty’s cause.
You may say it’s an old bit of bunting,
You call it an old coloured rag
But freedom has made it majestic,
And time has ennobled
the flag.
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