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...from Aussie Storm Chaser David Simpson ~ Australia

STORMPLANET - Tasmanian Wilderness Photography
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Bastion Cascades
February 2nd 2006

Situated at the foot of the Western Tiers, this is a little known but stunning day walk. The reward for tackling this reasonably challenging walk (rocky and uneven ground, very steep in places, some rock scrambling and some rope assistance) is a beautiful waterfall in an attractive rainforest area filled with caves, tall and looming sandstone cliffs and quite exciting and challenging terrain.

GETTING THERE: Take the Bass Highway to Deloraine, then head south to Meander via the Lake Highway and the Meander Road. Beyond Meander follow the well signed route along Huntsmans Road and Meander Falls Road to a point just 500 m before the Meander Picnic Ground. A sign indicates the turnoff to Stone Hut Track along Quarry Road. Drive south then west for one kilometre and park near the quarry. Those with 4WD or a particularly robust vehicle may drive uphill for a further one kilometre.




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Below: Stunning views of the Meander Valley & beyond from one on the many sandstone outcrops on the walk.




Below: Look at this first shot, with the tree growing across this boulder, staking its claim. In the 2nd shot, shoe marks in the old stumps show where the loggers have been, over half a century earlier. Also, the colour in the tree-top canopy takes your breath away and finally, an example of the many overhangs and caves along the walk.
 
Examples below of the steep, but stunning terrain encountered on the walk, and putting some scale to the enormous cliffs and trees along the way.
    
Below: The 'Stone Hut', which is an elevated limestone cave along the walk is a nice place to rest, and obviously, a simple but sheltered overnight resting place for earlier hikers! Also below, we encountered swarming flying insects of some kind along the way on some tree trunks, and finally, a couple of water shots from the Cascades. The water flow was minimal unfortunately, but a return visit in Autumn should see much more water flowing through.