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North East Dundas Tramway
One of the remnants of the North East Dundas Tramway (NEDT) on the Tasmanian West coast, about four kilometres from the remains of the Williamsford Mine. The original railway line was only two feet wide (61cm!) due to the steep slopes and winding hillsides. They even boasted the world's first Garratt locomotives TGR K Class. The line continued to operate until 1925, and was officially closed on 4 July 1932. The rails were removed in the early 1940s. Here's what was written about it in a 1909 Guide to the West Coast of Tasmania.
On the Montezuma Footbridge
The suspension footbridge, exactly where The curved Dundas bridge once stood. The Tasmanian State Library has an old postcard of what it used to look like. A curved wooden trestle bridge 45m long at the base of the 103m high Montezuma Falls is no small feat for the end of the 1800s.
Montezuma Footbridge
Another shot of the footbridge, this time from the side. It give an idea of how high the old bridge was. It's roughly level with the base of the main falls, it's just rapids from the falls to the bridge. The whole valley was clearfelled around 1900 to fuel the smelter. A hundred years and an average of three metres rainfall per year has raised lush replacements.
Montezuma Valley
The same suspension bridge, looking down. I'd rather have the old wooden bridge back! This suspension bridge is a narrow, swaying thing rated for the weight of just two adults at a time...
Lilydale Path
The path to Lilydale falls, skirting one of the steeper slopes on the way to the falls. It hadn't rained since the previous day, but you can see the undergrowth is still wet.
Lilydale Stone Steps
Old stone steps at Lilydale Falls. They form one of the steeper sections of the path leading from the first falls to the second.
Above Lilydale Falls
Above the first falls at Lilydale, a quiet section of the river. It reminds me of the scene in Dr No, where James Bond makes his way inland along river. I don;t think there are any secret agents lurking in the water here, it's only a few feet deep.