Chauncy Vale & Flat Rock Reserve

[Inti]

Not as hard core as some walks mentioned in this forum, but a great day walk none-the-less, and close to Hobart. Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary is located 4 kms east of Bagdad (it is sign posted). There are two very short walks (under an hour) and a longer one that takes 4 -5 hours return theat takes in the caves, Guvy's Lagoon and Flat Rock Reserve Lookouts. For more info take a look at the web site: http://www.chauncyvale.com.au/.

Attachments

The walk map

Guvy's Lagoon

View from Flat Rock Reserve

[Chrisbulldog]

Thanks Inti , will put that on my list. There was a movie made about that area around 1960.

[PeterJ]

We have been going for various walks in this area, usually in the cooler months. Last one was a walk to Alpha Pinnacle via Flat Rock, which unfortunately goes through clearfell.

[Inti]

There was a movie made about that area around 1960.

Yes there was, it was quite famous at the time. There is at least 1 other movie that was made based on another of Nan Chauncy's (original owner) books, but I can't remember what it is called though, something about kids losing a cow.

[bushrunner]

The film is called "Touch the Sun: Devil's Hill".
I remember loving the scenery when I saw it about 20 years ago.

[PeterJ]

I seem to recall there was also a film after the book "They found a cave" or maybe I am mistaken and the film was marketed as "Touch the sun...."

[Chrisbulldog]

Yes thats the film i know . My art teacher Miss McKinley was one of the stars in it .

[SueOfTheSouth]

For anyone interested .... "They found a Cave", based on the Nan Chauncy's book of the same name, was filmed in 1962 and the production company was Visatone Island Pictures.

[Taurë-rana]

And I saw it about 100 times at the State Library when I was young and loved it and always wanted to know where the caves were. Saw it again with my boys and realised the caves were film sets, not real! Before I saw it again as an adult though, I went into Chauncy Vale thinking the caves were there and was most disappointed to find them not the same, but it was still a nice walk.

Devil's Hill and A Tiger in the Bush which is its companion, are both well worth reading, as is Tangara and I'm sure her other books as well.

[tas-man]

I was following a trail on the early music of Peter Sculthorpe when I came across a mention of him having written the musical score for the film "They Found a Cave." One of the links that came up in Google was to a site that is looking for background information on the film production in preparation for a documentary for the 50th aniversary of its release in 1962. I thought that there was a good chance that there would be forum members who either had memories of this film or knew someone who did. Check out the website here - http://www.theyfoundacave.com.au/

I saw the film as a teenager in Brisbane in 1962, and hearing the theme tune again brought back memories of the film (Larry Adler played the theme tune on harmonica). It has made me want to have a look at the film again, as I wonder if seeing this film planted the seed of a love of Tasmania's wilderness that resulted in relocating our family to Tassie 16 years ago!

Another site with more info on the film is here - http://blogs.abc.net.au/tasmania/2008/1 ... =134361191

[Chrisbulldog]

Listened to an ABC programme about this very topic recently ,and apparently most of the indoor scenes for the film were done at ..wait for it .the poultry pavilion at the Hobart showgrounds ! Also , the film was very popular in England apparently.

[BarryJ]

Listened to an ABC programme about this very topic recently ,and apparently most of the indoor scenes for the film were done at ..wait for it .the poultry pavilion at the Hobart showgrounds ! Also , the film was very popular in England apparently.

"Indoor" also includes scenes supposedly inside the "cave".

[tas-man]

For anyone looking for a family friendly activity this coming Sunday 6th February, there is an "Open Day" at Chauncy Vale Wildlife Reserve. Details from their website -

Family Day
Chauncy Vale Family Day - Sunday 6th February 2011 - Noon start
music, visual art. poetry reading, guided walks, nature displays,
Day Dawn Open House 2-4pm - $2 entry fee applies
BYO - picnic or BBQ, Sausage sizzle available - Refreshments available
FREE PARKING FREE GAS BBQS
FREE ENTRY ON THIS DAY

PLEASE NOTE: SHOULD A TOTAL FIRE BAN BE IN PLACE
THE EVENT WILL BE CANCELLED

Phone 03 62345459 for up to date information

[tas-man]

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first screening in 1962 in Hobart of the film "They Found a Cave." A few years back, this topic reminded me about this film which I saw in Brisbane when it was released in 1962. I found a DVD copy in the State Library so was able to watch it again. My strongest memories were of Larry Adler's harmonica playing Peter Sculthorp's theme music over the opening sequence of the train arrival, the bush survival adventures of setting up and living comfortably in the cave, and the scenery from the cave looking out over the valley. Re-discovering this film helped me understand the influences in my life that contrinuted to my passion for bushwalking and photography. Tasmania became a special attraction for me in my early twenties, when I was able to see Lake Pedder the last summer before it was flooded. Does anyoone else have strong memories of this film?

Here are a couple of promotional photos I found to mark this auspicious occasion.

They Found a Cave promo 1.jpg (88.52 KiB) Viewed 8020 times

They Found a Cave promo 2.jpg (95.54 KiB) Viewed 8020 times

They Found a Cave promo 3.jpg (83.75 KiB) Viewed 8020 times

Last edited by tas-man on Fri 21 Dec, 2012 10:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Strider]

I've only been to Chauncy Vale once, and to be honest the place gave off such a bad vibe I've never wanted to return. Weird I know, but the sixth sense went into overdrive.

[Strider]

I've only been to Chauncy Vale once, and to be honest the place gave off such a bad vibe I've never wanted to return. Weird I know, but the sixth sense went into overdrive.

[tas-man]

I could find no evidence of any extracts of the film on the web, so have uploaded just the introduction and credits to give some idea of the film, and Peter Sculthorpe's musical score, for those who have not seen it. It will always have a place in history as Australia's first colour children's film, and with an environmental theme as well.

[bluewombat]

Great stuff Tas-man, a fascinating glimse of the movie
bw

[Chris]

I've only been to Chauncy Vale once, and to be honest the place gave off such a bad vibe I've never wanted to return. Weird I know, but the sixth sense went into overdrive.

That's an interesting reaction. Having been intrigued by the sign when driving past for years, I finally walked there yesterday.
5 of us had a thoroughly enjoyable walk - pleasant light eucalypt forest and fascinating rock formations in the caves - somewhat similar to Bluff River Gorge, though not quite as impressive. Still a reserve we all agreed we would happily return to - no reports of spooky feelings

It's obviously not greatly visited. The only 2 people we met told us they live locally and walk there frequently, but rarely encountered others.
Well worth the drive from up north and $2 per person admission fee

Having neither read the book nor seen the film I couldn't identify THE cave, so looks like I'll have to see the video before re-visiting.

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