“Hi, I'm Shannon, during the summer of 2011 as a bursary student with Forestry Tasmania, I took the challenge to visit Forestry Tamania's 52 visitor sites. Heading west of Burnie to the Black River Picnic Area is a lovely drive. For most of the way you get a glimpse of the Bass Strait bordering onto the north coast of Tasmania. The Nut at Stanley looms in the distance and the green pastures of agricultural grounds make this drive very scenic.
You follow the Bass Highway through Boat Harbour before turning off at a sign that says Dip Falls. Following Mawbanna Road for sometime, and then you should come to a green Forestry Tasmania sign which indicates to the right: Pine Corners Road/Black River Picnic Area. If you follow this road it will lead you to Black River and the lovely picnic area situated on either side of it.
While I was here I ran into a lovely couple who had spent a bit of time cycling around Australia. They had now traded their bikes in on a caravan and were touring Tasmania. They were reluctant for me to tell you about this spot as they were just so blown away with it, and wanted it to be kept a secret. They had parked their caravan next to one of the two picnic shelters located here. There are also a couple of BBQ’s, but that is it as far as facilities go.
It would be a lovely spot to camp the night as it is so quite and secluded in the forest. If you are patient and like fishing, you could try your hand in the river, I’m not sure if you will catch anything but if you do, you could cook it on one of the BBQ’s. Personally I would rather put my kayak in and have a paddle down the river, but sometimes the current can be strong so be careful you don’t get washed too far down.
To get to the other side of the river you need to cross a ford. If you take it steady this is fine (if I can do it, anyone can). On the other side is another picnic shelter, and continuing along this road eventually brings you out on the Bass Highway. I wound my way through lovely green pastures and eventually through the town of Forest. 15km later you are back at the Bass Highway just east of Smithton, and conveniently for me right across from Stanley where I was staying the night. It’s hard to believe that somewhere so lovely is so close to the highway.
GPS Coordinates :
LAT : 40°51'59.00"S
LON : 145°19'53.70"E
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Burnie to Stanley - 68km
Stanley to Dip Falls - 42km
Stanley to Smithton - 22km
Smithton to Dismal Swamp - 32km
Smithton to Kununnah Bridge - 38km
Smithton to South Arthur Forests (return) - 130km
52 Places to Visit
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