A short drive to the west of Devonport is Don Reserve, recommended to us by the enormously helpful staff of Devonport Visitor Information Centre.

The reserve borders the Don River and offers a peaceful environment to walk and lookout for the rare Swift Parrot. Stands of Black Gum, Swamp Paperbark and Coastal Black Peppermint trees provide shade during warmer days and home to many of the species of bird that seek protection here.

We started the walk along a path that seemed to disappear only to reappear a little further on beside a railway track and becoming a recently resurfaced tarmac path. In the background we could hear the whistle of a train, which we assumed was one of the trains servicing the docks in Devonport. However the whistle grew louder when all of a sudden we were being passed by a steam train! Curious we continued further and shortly after sighted the train again at the Don River Railway station.

Rock and Rolling

Having not experienced steam travel for many, many years, we bought tickets for the return trip to Coles Beach – the end of the line. We boarded what was once a women’s section of a coach that had been carefully restored.

It was a trip back in time to when train coaches were built by craftsmen from timber with a high gloss finish and brass fittings. Fortunately the seats were a little more comfortable than they would have been in the past and we were thankful for them as the train trundled along the very uneven track. Flying in severe turbulence could be considered more comfortable. However it was an experience we’ll remember, the steam, the smoke, the views of the Don River as the tide came in and the bruised behinds we’ll have for a few days.

We can imagine how busy the train would be during the summer tourist season but well worth any queue you would have to join. Any delays could be spent in the little rail museum or shop as you wait for your time to board.

Our circular walk continued on the opposite bank of the river through patches of paperbark and swamp grass before crossing Sawdust Bridge to rejoin the start of our walk. A large timber mill once stood beside the river leaving piles of sawdust from which the latest bridge crossing was named.

NB. Shortly after visiting the railway we heard bad news – a fire in the early morning of March 25th caused considerable damage. More…