Spending a Night in The Glow Worm Forest

In this series I set out to follow the 100 km route through Tasmanian South-West Wilderness that Sir John Franklin and his party traversed in 1842.
This expedition was of great historic importance to Tasmania and led to the naming of name streams, mountains and plains. After careful research I realised that while some of these features still remain, some are misplaced, and some have been simply lost to time.
This route was partly covered by a group of 6 from the Hobart Walking Club in 1953, using the Frenchmans Cap Walking Track they began their walk about 30km West of where the Franklins had started.
In this series I cover the whole length over a period of 9 days, starting at Lake St Clair and finishing at the Gordon River.
The episodes will each be 25 minutes long, and I am expecting to have 8 episodes released twice weekly, one every Wednesday and one every Sunday at 7:30PM AEST.
If you enjoy my content please support my channel. These trips cost a lot of money, which have all been paid for out of my own pocket. I am not paid by anyone to research, film, edit or produce these videos and the ad revenue generated from most my videos goes directly to the artists whose music I use to back the video.
-HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL:
Hit the SUPER THANKS react button on this video!
BUY MERCH - staywildtas.the...​
PayPal (one off payment) - paypal.me/robp....
Instagram: rob_parsons1
Contact: [e-mail]

[@poorfellamycountry]

Get a Patreon account Bro, I'd happily contribute. 9 hours scrub bashing on day 6 is commitment level of its own. Terrific series.

[@mattr1097]

I support a few content makers and I would definitely include Rob in that.

[@BreakingWildGaming]

agreed

[@Rob.Parsons]

I’m in the process of trying to figure out what I could offer to potential patrons. I do have multiple other ways to contribute ie Merch, PayPal, Super Thanks ect. 👍

[@Mark-rc4wz]

@@Rob.Parsons How about this - Enameled pins with scene depicting one of your Epics Footprints of the Franklins Jane 3.0 Stennard's Grave Footprints of Alexander Pearce Also have pins where they can contribute to help you find endangered species Thylacine Mushrooms - new genera found only 3 years ago - lots of opportunity here Plants - several in the recent year Trees - found new tree in Australia from the prehistoric

[@chaosstate4491]

Cutting grass across the neck, leeches up the nose living the dream for all of us.....Another outstanding film best watched on the biggest screen you can find.

[@davida.4933]

A dream? Spend a few hrs. fighting the scrub and the romanticism kinda' evaporates...

[@Ben_cowen.tasmania]

look forward to every episode that drop, you are an inspiration mate ❤

[@lauraclark5203]

It's so amazing watching you walk and see things that not many other people have seen before. That's pretty special 😊

[@jhallack7491]

Glow worms enhanced! Truly remarkable!!!!😮

[@caroljohnson8817]

Check your gear every time you’re gong out, without fail so you don’t have ANY failure! Bless you Rob!!!

[@dcsc1]

That mountain scenery is incredibly beautiful! That stunning glow worm forest may not be home to Thylacines but is definitely home to faeries in the there. Magical 😊

[@raindog428]

Isn't it,I would die happy living there

[@terry8728]

Tricksy forest sprites, trying to bamboozle Rob!

[@raindog428]

@@terry8728 what?the leeches up his nose👐

[@dcsc1]

@@terry8728 they're after his gold nuggets and sapphires for sure 😁

[@caroljohnson8817]

You are so BRAVE!!! And resilient and adventurous and TRUE GRIT!!!

[@krissylogan6295]

Wow! I thought that the most magical footage I’d seen from you was when you paddled the Denison … until tonight. My jaw dropped at the Glow Worm Forest. I can’t begin to imagine how breathtaking it must have been to have that enchanted space all to yourself. Been waiting for a few episodes for this one. Absolutely mesmerising. Thank you so so much for taking us with you! You continue to inspire us every time.

[@JGmontages]

Thanks for this episode man! Absolute beauti of a rainforest. So desolate and so beautiful. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep up the good work

[@catherinecoad2638]

Fantastic Rob!! I'm so pleased you managed to get footage of the glow-worm forest at night, that was super cool. I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

[@secretstreamsandfeverdreams]

Man... A stumbling scrub bashing ovation to you! ( Seems more in line than a standing ovation) legend! To do this all and film it too. the EFFORT! 👏

[@jhallack7491]

Truly the views are stunning and amazing and you have an unbelievably indomitable sense of adventure!!!

[@tazyt3388]

hehe its testing crap outa you ol mate but how good it is when its looked back at years later or even at the end of the day the rewards as epic as the exertion,got it done bring on tomorrow. good sh👍t curly cheers

[@chrisgolfer7528]

This series gets better by the day. The best compliment I can give Rob is that to me it is as good as watching a National Geographic film but with one advantage. Your narrative is pure simplicity without addition of a voiceover telling of the all the poisonous creatures that could maim and kill at anytime to try and make it more effective. Perfect!

[@peterblair6489]

I live in western Tas. There's not much in the way of wildlife that can kill ya. Lol Snakes maybe, but they're not agressive.

[@windysadventures]

Again bloody awesome Rob, through that scrub with a pack on. Legend!

[@Mosko4x4]

I’m addicted! Time to plan a no trails hiking adventure.

[@mattr1097]

A tough episode. Really does give you appreciation of how hard it would be to survive in the bush.

[@paultognoni]

So friggin jealous, wish I'd done half of what you've done at your age. 👍

[@SuperKabookie]

OMG I’d freak with the leach in my nose.

[@m.g5818]

Amazing 🤗, this trip gets better and better. Rob your adventures are just one journey after another, I don't know how you do it, but I'm bloody glad you do..👍🇦🇺😊🙋

[@peterstone5356]

Absolutely loving this trip mate, you are killing it. Cant wait for the next episode.

[@gippy6105]

Another superb video cant imagine the journey for you thank you again for the effort.

[@georgeredbranch652]

Best episode yet. Might stop in at The ABC shop in Burnie to see if they have the full season. Well done with that bush nothing worth doing is never easy. I think even as a nurse, you hit a 10 on the gag retch o'meter with the leech bugger.

[@edmac3651]

Wow!!! just fricken WOW!!!!! Your effort, honesty and motivation, framed by some of THE most spectacular scenery planet earth has to offer makes this the best story on KZbin currently. Thank you so much.

[@Blumack21]

Thanks Rob. Great stuff. Andy

[@latelee4320]

Maaaaate that was epic Rob, your phone captured the luminance quite nicely, and I think that moth was a man eater ., Great footage mate!

[@numptywithacamera]

That glow worm forest was absolutely stunning, it reminded the wife and I of Waitomo Caves in NZ. You clearly worked for it. I think this is the first time we've seen you puffing haha.

[@woketointelofjws6670]

I really like you reading the old diary entries. We don't write or speak quite like that anymore .

[@rolandevans3954]

Mystical wonderland thanks for your efforts Rob

[@maude5160]

Once again, amazing, thank you.

[@colinwilson8747]

Absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!!!!

[@damienphillips9278]

That bloody leach mate 😱 another great video, as always look forward to the next clip, also must be time to upgrade those thermals bud 😂

[@Rob.Parsons]

haha I keep buying new thermals and I keep destroying them.

[@damienphillips9278]

@@Rob.Parsons could create your own for the harsh Tassie hiking, although full body armour would struggle to stand up to the test 😂

[@robinyoung7007]

Many thanks Rob for this fantastic video, you are showing us how beautiful and varied Tasmania is, I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@Navrak]

Am loving this series, you are a true modern day explorer. Thank you for the amazing insight of what the original exploration team went through.

[@PremekHamr]

Amazing footage! What a trek! Reminds me of bashing into the streams around Pedder in the 90s looking for the last Pedder galaxids :)

[@jamesbell6996]

Seriously tough going pushing through scrub like that. Awesome series mate!

[@paulandkarenwatters9719]

Just keeps getting better and better ol mate. Well done again👍

[@colinvandenhoff6343]

This trip is gettin more awesome with every episode.......bloody love the glow worm footage....

[@movierazor]

Incredible! The forest at night must have been a spectacular Milky Way!

[@VishusB]

Another epic episode! You’re a machine! Thanks for persevering with the glow worm footage, that was pure magic. Looked like a bloody hard slog going up that hillside.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Vish, I would absolutely love to go back with my camera I use for weddings I reckon a time-lapse with that would be unreal. Maybe one day!

[@wayneberry8703]

Fantastic Rob, what a journey mate.

[@BreakOutOfTheAlgorithm]

That brush was intense!

[@kentm75]

That glen looked amazing. Also, stuff breaks when you somersault down the hills!!

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thats very true! Thanks Kent :-)

[@craigchase5381]

Another amazing video dude...... Lucky that leech didn't get to know you real well........ lol

[@adrianthered9876]

Bro I love this I love your work in a time and a place where I'm not doing the best your a true inspiration

[@mickn277]

Loving your videos, Tassie is a special place. Love the narrating, the stories and your great personality. I hope your channel goes huge, I'm sure it will. Take a look at how Larry Chen puts high quality photos into his vids. It'd be great to see when you pass through amazing places.

[@troybramich785]

As a person that has family in tassie, I felt like I've seen a lot. But watching your videos there is so much more for me to see. You are inspirational, I'm gunna do a bit of walking next trip. Any good day or two day walks you could recommend

[@Rob.Parsons]

Anywhere in the west or southwest is great mate thats where the real rainforest is.

[@susanroughley8608]

That was totally awesome I loved the Glow Forrest😍 so pretty thankyou 👍

[@benpepper4392]

Nice mate keep them coming bet you sleep well of a night after them big days 💪

[@ChasingCheetahs]

Amazing journey 💚. Not sure how you even decide to take on that head-high bauera!

[@rodgeorge7244]

Awesome Rob the fungus glowing in the dark is awesome I've seen it many times in the bush in Victoria where I live ,if I may give a little advice get yourself a Machete or a really good Kukri it will make your travels in the bush so much easier

[@leroywelsh5439]

Awesome area to explore bud it looks alot like our forests here in nz,but just missing supplejack vines everywear lol , awesome series an bloody gd effort

[@johnkennett7331]

Amazing trip !

[@onnoholling7107]

Epic journey Rob. Enjoying every minute of it

[@julesnjohn172]

😱 that leach! Beautiful scenery makes it worth it.

[@tonymcguinness8947]

Balls of steel a Heart of gold and a body made of Titanium. When I eventually pass from this world I would like you to be the one to spead my ashes across the Heemskirk Range.

[@andrewb722]

Really enjoying your vids mate.. I just shudder to think what would happen if you broke a leg out there.. stay safe bro

[@allanmaccaul1465]

Well that 25mins felt like 2mins.. Must be good 👌

[@Acediscoface]

That was epic. 🙏

[@terry8728]

I hope you have your EPIRB stashed within easy reach, that dive you took was scary. The scrub looked so tough and so did the forest, but those mountain views are awesome! Another great episode Rob, looking forward to Wednesday!

[@terry8728]

@@Mark-rc4wz I’m the Salty Seer! If anyone can find the Thylacine it would be Rob and Levi. The question is, will they tell anyone? Hopefully not!

[@Mark-rc4wz]

@@terry8728 Just you and Dr. Andrew J. Pask from Melbourne University - he will be the one to clone them - you can take them out for their walks - make sure the males don't pee in their pouches!

[@insidebendprospecting]

Man what a crazy place! Glad you were alright after that tumble, happens out here in the NW of Oregon too, you think you're on the forest floor but actually on a bunch of old dead logs 10+ feet up. That quartz vein though... Looking forward to the next vid Rob, super cool channel you're building.

[@debbiemingins4217]

Brilliant!!!

[@callamupchurch4194]

Bloody awesome as usual mate. I am loving this. You almost can't believe its Tassie.

[@cowboy6591]

22:50 Slow shutter worked like a champ. I could see the glow.

[@BrunyIslandLongWkEnd]

Thanks!

[@Mark-rc4wz]

First the Franklins, Now get him to make ...... "In the Footsteps of Alexander Pearce - Carnivours and Cannibals" From Sarah Island to Ouse - mighty forest between kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaqYd6x9frWefbs

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks so much!

[@gez7795]

Leech violation 🤣 When this is finished and you've outrun those orcs through the valley of glow and shadow.... let's chat about your fricken 360 missing Quartz. Wtf, how lucky was that! Each episode gets better and better. Pushing on through to E6 tomorrow.

[@SmallWonda]

Gordon Bennett what an Adventure! Crazy, man! You need Kevlar clothing. The glow worms must have been incredible. When we first came to Tassie we had the MOST enormous moth on my screen door - always regret I never got a picture of it, but it was at least the size of your hand - I think it was off course! Must have blown in from Sydney!! Very glad you're home safe now, that bush bashing is very claustrophobic, think I'd prefer caving (if there was an option!!) Thrilling stuff.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Im looking into some caves so stay tuned!

[@SmallWonda]

@@Rob.Parsons Oh my - you're The Man! Do you know anything about the Zeehan Track from Chudleigh? About 100-yrs ago they were going to link the two towns & it was all mapped out by some intrepid explorers - is it maintained or would that be worth an explore?!! I find it amazing how gung ho! things seemed to be in the past compared to the somewhat tentative nature of infrastructure these days! Just take care, love your adventures!

[@campfirejesus]

The amount of bush bashing you get through is seriously impressive mate

[@craigmears5985]

Ah still loving it bro

[@iancrump4369]

Awesome stuff mate as always 😎👌

[@bobclark4994]

What a great journey Rob! ---- and leeches can get into worse places than your nose! 🤣🤣

[@Rob.Parsons]

I've read some horror stories 😵‍💫

[@bobclark4994]

@@Rob.Parsons Usually at the end of the day you check each other out ----- it really tests a friendship!!!

[@carolynrose9522]

A grueling 9 hour for you. Your persistence pays off. Things breaking, yet you are still mastering this epic journey. I wonder what the old timers would think of a lone trekker undertaking the adventure they did. Also I am wondering how your leg is going that swelled up at this stage. Nice to see the glowing forest.

[@Rob.Parsons]

I think the old timers would say I am bloody crazy, hehe. I had planned to do it with others but as usual I was faced with ums and ahhs. Unfortunately time waits for no one! Thanks for the comment Carolyn.

[@bigears4014]

Those old explorers were tough buggers , imagine doing it with their equipment and absolutely no backup

[@Rob.Parsons]

Yep, exactly. Thats what makes me think what I am doing isn't even that gnarly. Maybe just by todays soft standards.

[@bigears4014]

The land before time comes to mind

[@Rob.Parsons]

Certainly not much has changed, I think the glowing specimens can speak to that.

[@jeffholmes1362]

Thanks for sharing Rob, loving the adventure, although a leach up the nose and the scrub, possible not your best day, but what a great way to end with the glowing bugs.

[@Michael_Mann]

Wonderful again, great work Rob.

[@johnwilliams8739]

Only just found your channel, wow what a find ! Amazing footage and stunning scenery. Love the music to, any chance of linking some of the songs please.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks John! these songs are mainly from epidemic sound

[@robinpatterson-cloudsdale7249]

Great work mate

[@Irenabyss]

Well done. A valley on my to-do list

[@Rob.Parsons]

Definitely worth it matt and if you came up from eagle creek way it could be achieved in a reasonable time.

[@Irenabyss]

@@Rob.Parsons Maybe exit via Eagle Creek (I've so far managed to avoid ever walking it LOL) - I have another route I want to try closer to the Boilover: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ianbqWqaf9d9ibM

[@dougaldmactaggart990]

best episode yet! unreal

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks mate!

[@jacqueline7118]

There is no freaking way I would have opened that tent mesh after that big creepy thing was buzzing around outside. lol I am in Canada and we have some big bugs (June bugs) that sound a lot like that one and ours are big but not that big! lol It would have been nite nite for me, the heck with the night time lapse! hahaha! The glow worm forest very cool. Thanks for sharing. :) :)

[@Rob.Parsons]

Haha yeah I waited about 5 minutes with the light off before I re opened the mesh. If he landed on me I would of set off the epirb

[@jacqueline7118]

@@Rob.Parsons Haha! If it would have come in the tent, I would have been out the door, it could have slept there all night by itself! lol

[@raindog428]

Oh my gawd I swing from being in total awe to heart skipping a beat,as any mother would at the fall u took.Scrub cam lol!!! Vids are just getting better n better.what a trojan.Love this country

[@raindog428]

@@Mark-rc4wz😁😁

[@raindog428]

@@Mark-rc4wz that's a good little vid u did there

[@raindog428]

@@Mark-rc4wz Rob reminds me of myself when I was a kid,except I wasn't smart enough to use navigation tools lol.lost and flogged but still alive..somehow

[@Mark-rc4wz]

@@raindog428 Thanks, started with you and Terry

[@raindog428]

@@Mark-rc4wz u burning the midnight oil too r ya

[@bronzewilldo1657]

That was magic mate I hope you hit the 10k tonight!

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks, looks like she turned over in my sleep.

[@bronzewilldo1657]

@@Rob.Parsons you would be happier then a pig in shit 👍🏼

[@Upsidedownorangejuice]

Awesome! That glowing forest is fascinating, I wonder if it isolated to that one valley?

[@Rob.Parsons]

Calder wrote that he at other times had seen the same thing so it must be spread around in the decomposed valleys of the south west I would say.

[@Upsidedownorangejuice]

@@Rob.Parsons fascinating

[@jessn462]

Thanks

[@jessn462]

Loving the series mate 🙏

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks Jess!

[@AdamEdington]

Bauera will do that to you. They breed em tough down in the sow'west. Proud to call you a jungle brother, my friend... You know what it's like

[@Alberthoward3right9up]

Coffee made doobie rolled next installment dropped. I'm set 😃

[@peterblair6489]

Nose leach. LMFAO My dog had one of them.

[@johnmcdougall1330]

Hi Rob - 7:28 - the Bird calls - Crescent honeyeaters, likely your spirit bird, you will hear them when you are on the right path. Thankyou for sequencing your videos. I am proud to introduce others to your channel as it actually captures the various types of Tassie scrub. You're so fortunate to have the resources of Google earth, maps, tas veg and other resources online. Think how little Thwaites had to go on, but moreover think of the skill of Calder to be the first. The south west is epic. Enjoy it while you can, im pushing towards 50 and you've seen many inspiring things in your 20s. We all walk different paths in life and sometimes we step on ground where 'no one has been' - whatever that combination, it makes us all unique. For those that don't have the ability to step where you have, your records are an inspiration.

[@darrenwilliams9001]

What a place to spend a night, the glow worm forest is mind blowing just have to watch those blood suckers and killer moths lmao or was it just one of those small mozzies we get back there pmsl. Do you do requests? I promise it wont be as torturous as this trip and not to far from home base drone a must though?

[@Rob.Parsons]

Go for it!

[@darrenwilliams9001]

@@Rob.Parsons Black Bluff mate looking across to Valentines Peak, fly across to Mt Tor which is next to the Bluff looking west, west coast, Winterbrook Falls, looking nrth to the coast on a good day see Cradle. Been a lot of years since i been up there but a trip i do most times im back home. Cheers keep up the great work.

[@benmacrae4784]

You want max iso and slowest shutter speed to catch light in a camera at night, you want your shutter open as long as possible, hence why they shoot stars as long exposures

[@Alberthoward3right9up]

Twisting some wire around that hose may of helped. Not much use now but might help on a future trip 😉

[@Rob.Parsons]

I think ill twist a few dollars into a new one!

[@N1XVAN]

Another epic episode Rob, one question, what is the spider situation like? I would avoid some of that scrub just at the sight of webs.🤣 keep up the good work!

[@Rob.Parsons]

Haha yeah the spiders were pretty full on in parts.

[@terry8728]

I don't think a machete or parang would even work in such dense and stringy scrub, you'd spend more time trying to cut the bloody stuff than making headway! (And the rangers would know who cut the new path through and hit you with a fine, lol)! Best to just keep barreling through the way you do!

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thats true. the vines are too springy to be cut by slashing. they need to be broken up and passed through metre after metre!

[@stevefox6864]

Hi Rob, all that bush, do you come across many snakes ?

[@Rob.Parsons]

Nah not usually! Too noisy

[@35andsolid]

I think I have to give it a rest watching your last episode , it stressed me out to much ,cheers

[@Rob.Parsons]

haha sorry about that

[@peterblair6489]

Have ya done a leach count. Lol I live in Rosebery and bush bash. Fun aint it.

[@MrHiss2011]

Back flip's and a light display only you could pull that off in the Tassie wilderness.

[@Rob.Parsons]

Thanks mate they are part of my special skillset!

[@vlady8me]

You think of going to Canada to follow through? All the way to King William Island?

[@Rob.Parsons]

should I?

[@vlady8me]

@@Rob.Parsons Yes! First follow in his footsteps up the Coppermine expedition and then the Mackenzie River before going to King William Island. Be Well! Cheers!

[@vlady8me]

@@Rob.Parsons One other thing. Choose your footwear carefully!