I want to share with you some of the benefits of walking exercise that we enjoyed today. We had looked up online to discover where the walking tracks were around Launceston, Tasmania. We’ve been for many drives but have been noticing a lack of walking exercise. We were about to remedy that.
First a couple of maps…
We started with this one which is right near the city – a lovely place to start. It’s called the River Edge Trail quite appropriately and if you follow the blue dotted line, that’s the walk we took today.
As you can see the track we chose averages out at just over an hour’s walking. It was all basically flat so we tried to keep a reasonable pace… problem was that I was wanting to stop regularly for photos! Oh well.
At this time of year (March) the mornings here often start off overcast. Give it a few hours though and the sun burns the clouds away to a hot and beautiful day. Starting off early while it was still cool, it was a perfect day for a walk. Not too hot and not too cold!
The Tamar River estuary is 70 kilometres long and is Australia’s longest navigable estuary. It drains approximately 15% of Tasmania’s land mass and is really quite beautiful.
River Edge Trail
Cataract Gorge, a very popular tourist destination, is right beside the city. In this photo, the city is basically to the left and behind us. Here we are looking across to King’s Bridge, although it’s a little hidden by the newer bridge in front. If you look carefully, you can see some of it’s fancy work below the new bridge. Both the bridges service two different roads but run side by side to span the South Esk River where it enters into the Tamar River Estuary.
A little map to show how the South and North Esk Rivers join the Tamar River Estuary at almost the same spot although they flow from opposite directions.
The track starts off with a lovely boardwalk right beside the river. The tide is well on its way out.
Lots of helpful and very interesting information is posted along the way. I was excited to learn that sea horses actually live in the water here. How cool is that!
About a week or so ago, a Fur Seal was found flipping about a supermarket car park. Only saw it on the news…wish I could have seen it in the real.
Now we’ve rounded the bend and have begun walking up the North Esk River.
From that same point as you look across to the other side, this is the entry of the Esk into the Tamar. Standing tall and proud are these oil silos still in very good condition.
Note:
(25/3/2018) These silos are currently being converted into a large hotel! It will be interesting to see the results once they have finished and the cranes have been taken away.
Continue on the boardwalk towards Peppers Hotel and a small marina. Behind the hotel, hidden by the cloud, is Mt Burrow which is an absolute delight when it gets a covering of snow sometimes in the winter.
The whole estuary is very effected by the tides. This floating marina will rise and fall about 3 metres as the tides fluctuate. It means the scenery completely changes every 6 hours. There are a number of interesting restaurants, cafe’s and shops along the way.
City Levee Trail
We crossed the busy street and continued along the levee bank of the North Esk River. This levee was built to protect the city from devastating floods. Back in 1929 they had the “flood of all floods” and it caused them to understand the need. Twenty two people were killed, 40 injured and 2,000 buildings were damaged or washed away.
As you can imagine, two rivers servicing mountains from both the left and the right of the city, converging into the Tamar River Estuary at virtually the same spot; add to that a high tide, and we’ve got Trouble with a capital T.
We walked past the delightful Custom House to the right…
Looking left across the river to a building built in 1888. We were admiring the work on it, thinking of how plain it would be without it. They certainly did things fancy back then.
Crossing another bridge, I took this mainly to show what it looks like when the tide is out. There are a couple of black swans enjoying a snooze by the water’s edge.
Now I could take a close up as we passed the fancy building.
Back again to the marina by crossing another bridge, we were surprised by how much the tide had gone down in the time it took for us to return to the marina. These boats are now sitting firm in the mud… they ain’t going nowhere until the tide returns.
Here we are coming back towards our starting point, looking down the river towards the Cataract Gorge. What was nearly all water before is now just mud flats with the river flowing through the middle of it.
Looking across the river to the boats sitting in the mud awaiting the turn of the tide.
Benefits of Walking Exercise – the perfect exercise
Today we combined two walks… the River Edge Trail and the City Levee Trail, both quite small in their own right but together gave us a good hour or walking at a relatively good pace. We thoroughly enjoyed it as we saw lovely scenery and learned a few things along the way. Sea Horses in the river for example!
There are many ways we can exercise without it incurring any costs whatsoever. It’s great to think we can do most of it from home. For some great ideas read Exercise Ideas from Home.
But let’s face it, we don’t want to be stuck at home all the time, do we? It’s important that you find out where the walks are around the area you live in and then go discover them. Your doggie will thank you for a walk, or you could go with a friend. Take your spouse… or go alone. It’s a wonderful time to quietly reflect.
Walking More May Be Key for a Longer, Healthier Life
Please tell me about what you do for exercise. I’d love to hear as it helps to complete us when ideas are thrown around. Leave a comment down below… thanks.
A walk like this will help your body to work better; you’ll feel better, and generally sleep comes with more ease. Gentle exercise done consistently will help you to lose a little weight, and keep your joints in good order. The benefits of walking exercise are numerous and it’s lovely to know you really don’t have to pound the pavements to receive those benefits. Yay!
Marilyn Williams
Hey Marilyn, If I could I would hop a plan out there right now. I love Australia!!! Never been there but all the pics I have seen made me wish I were there. I agree with finding places around where you live. My wife and I have found some really nice places near our home to walk and they are all free to walk.
Hi Dee, thank you so much for your comment! Yes, we need to take advantage of the free walks our councils provide for us. So many of us whinge about our councils, but in amongst it all, they provide nice walking tracks!
Well I hope I can show you some more piccys along the way so at least you can imagine you’re there even if you’re not. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and you enjoy our land Australia!
Thanks again!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, Now you made me jealous with your “also” beautiful views while walking. Annette and I are also walking nearly daily….too old to jog as before when we did an uncountable amount of ‘mostly ‘ half marathons. Who knows, maybe
we will also see your views while walking there…LOL.
Thanks for the lovely pics and explanations.
Gosh Hannes, I’ve never been into marathons… even half marathons. 🙂 When I was in primary school I was the fastest runner in the school, at least I was in my last year there. But they were just short running races. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Keep watching as there’s more to come. Marilyn
Hi Marilyn I must say you have a much more scenic walk then I do. A few years ago I was not able to walk due to a neck injury and a bad case of psoriasis on the bottom of my feet. Thankfully the psoriasis cleared up. We live in the country so it is nice and peaceful and I like to take my dog out in the morning for her first walk of the day. She likes her walks especially when she spies the squirrels and tries to give chase and kitty cats beware. If it wasn’t for my dog I probably would not go out so I am thankful that she gets me out pretty much every day. It’s a great exercise that most people can do.
Taking pictures on your walk is a great idea. I was thinking of doing that myself since we get many different kinds of birds around here and I love birds.
I look forward to seeing more of your great pics on your different walks.
Hi Maureen, I’m so glad you come on by and left a comment. What immediately took my attention was that you had psoriasis but it’s cleared up. I know someone with a bad case of it and I’m wondering what you did.
Dogs are wonderful for encouraging us out on walks aren’t they? They have a way of looking at you that makes you feel bad if you don’t get out there with them. 🙂
Yes, I do encourage you to take some piccys and then you can share them with us. It’s a great way to see what others are seeing.
Waiting for your reply,
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn
I read….Benefits of walking exercise.
That was really nice. I love the pictures. I would like to see more of the land. lol. im an outdoors person. I didnt get to read anymore because i took to long on that one. lol and it got late.
The sea horses got me. that would be awesome to see them for real. From what i got to see of your site was great. you were very detailed on explaining your pictures.
Michelle
Hi Michelle, thanks for commenting! There is nothing quite like the great outdoors is there? So much to do and so much to see!
Yes the sea horses really got to me as I had no idea they could be found in our waters. As I’ve only lived here for a couple of years I find there is still so much more to learn… about everything!
Thank you for your kind comments,
Marilyn
Marilyn
Oh my word, where do I start? Firstly, I’d like to say I go on a long walk daily and I thought I was spoiled with the parks and rivers by me. But woah, the views you have there are out of this world! Then there’s the river and the harbor, you really do have it all!
Even the buildings are amazing, the architecture is wonderful, I’d love to go walking there some time. That fancy building as you call it sure is pretty.
As for the distance, I do around a similar amount most days, but I also go running 3 times a week and so far I’ve lost 75lbs in weight. I also put myself on low carb eating, I feel like a new person.
Jay
Hi Jay! Thank you for your encouraging comments. Yes it is pretty and we are “lucky”.
It’s great you go walking most days… I can’t say I do that… not an official walk anyway, but I try to keep active one way and another. I’ve never been one for running, at least, not since primary school. I was the fastest runner in the school there! Haha! These days I opt for walking and keeping active.
I really want to congratulate you on your weight loss… that is absolutely wonderful. Good onya!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn I read your walking blog just wish I could but at the moment I can make 15 minutes using walking stick I have seen 5 specialists none of them are willing to touch my back as they all say it is the worst they have seen and an operation will probably make it worse. They have told me to come off all drugs for at least 6 months because I have become to used to them and then go back on them later. In the mean time I will watch your amazing photos and take inspiration along the river would be great that is what I love the sound of rivers rippling over rocks so relaxing
Hi Garry, thanks so much for your comment! Wow, I’m so sorry you have a back like that. You feel free to come walking with me any time you like. Yes, I also love the sound of water… gentle water… rippling, burbling or whatever. The gentle waves. It really is so relaxing and refreshing too.
You take care now, thanks again, Marilyn
Walking is a great way to get up and go. For many, this is a requisite exercise to get started for those with bad knees and other joints, and injuries, to limber up and graduating to other more strenuous exercises. I love the pictures of the view. I applaud your distance!
Hi Jennzo, Thanks for your comments. Yes, just about anyone can walk unless wheelchair bound. You can walk as slowly as you like, or power walk… and everything in between! It’s all good dependent on your condition. And in every case, the movement will improve with time. But walking and seeing lovely things at the same time is the best!
I couⅼd not resist commеnting. Well written!
Thanks so much Helen. I hope you received interesting information out of the article. Marilyn 🙂