Goldfield Country

MORNINGTON Yesterday we drove down to Mornington Peninsular, a really lovely spot with lots of lovely sheltered beaches, clear water, dolphins lapping it up and the cute beach sheds that you see on TV. Lot's of folk out and about enjoying the day and fishing.
LONDON BRIDGE, OCEAN BEACH At the end of the peninsular on the eastern side is a very rough coastline resembling the Great Ocean Road, the sea was not at all appealing compared to the western side of the peninsular. We drove there the scenic way and came home on the freeway, how do people handle all that traffic every day? Certainly not our cup of tea.

BENDIGO Here we are all set up for the next four nights, great park with roomy sites, pool a bit cool but have dipped our toes and free internet - yahoo! Great weather with a dry heat and 29, rain is badly needed, hope they hold off though until we leave.

Back on the Mainland

Yesterday we sailed back to Melbourne, luckily another very smooth trip. It is the Grand Prix here today and a great day weather wise for it. We had bit of a drive around this morning and then found a Dan Murphy's so have stocked up, then got some groceries. It is still incredibly dry here, so doesn't appear to have been much rain since the bush fires.

Just loved our time in Tasmania, the five weeks just flew by, could go there again next February and visit the spots we missed. Yesterday on the boat there were 877 passengers and reckon at least 300 caravans/motorhomes on board.

NAGAWNTAPU NATIONAL PARK was across the water from Port Sorell, very different vegetation to other parks we had visited as it abuts the beach, lot's of pademelons - native to Tasmania and even some kangaroos. Evidence of wombats but you would need to be there at dusk to see them.

ARCHERS KNOB Whilst in the National park we did the two hour walk up to the top of Archers kob, it had great views, lucky weather wise as on the way down there was a shower and then it cleared.

Back to nature

PORT SORELL Yesterday we left Launceston and came here, on the way called into Westbury and looked at the photo studio of John Temple he has fabulous photos of Tasmania. The caravan park is next to the beach, very quiet and run by The Lions. CRADLE MOUNTAIN Today we visited the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, you park your car by the transit centre which is a 20 minute drive from the Dove Lake at the base of Cradle Mountain, they then run a shuttle bus every 10 minutes, with some stops along they way to do the various walks. A great system as it keeps a lot of vehicles off the narrow windy road. It was overcast but not cold so can't complain. We did several of the walks so will sleep well tonight.
WHERE ARE THE GOBLINS? You have to take your hat off to the Parks and Wildlife service as the National parks here are brilliant. This was the boardwalk on one of the walks today, you just expect to see goblins along the way, tempted to come back at night and set up a few garden gnomes as they would look right at home.

Flying through the forest

HOLLYBANK TREETOPS ADVENTURE Yahoo, what a great morning we had yesterday flying through the forest, you travel on zip-lines over the treetops and Pipers River in sections ranging from 15 to 371 metres long. It was a fabulous experience with a great group and guides, check it out on www.treetopsadventure.com.auLILYDALE FALLS After the forest adventure we went up the road and did the short walk to the falls, this is the top section of the falls, it was pretty but not the best we have seen here, getting a bit picky now, we have been so spoilt. Do need to work out how to get the camera set properly as it takes a great photo of the water, but loses the blue sky?

SCOTTSDALE We then carried on to Scottsdale, a pretty spot with rolling hills, cattle and forests. Had lunch at the Lords Hotel, here is the war memorial carved out of the tree depicting the different wars etc. On the way home we called into the gardens and had a look at the monkeys they have there, lovely gardens with lots of folk out and about enjoying the stunning day with the temperature reaching 27.

Old and new mining

BEACONSFIELD This is the outside of the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre, it was very interesting and a great section regarding the miners being rescued back in 2006. You even get to walk into a replica of the space they were entrapped in and the large concrete tube that was put in place to retrieve them. Interestingly the old structures house a lot of the exhibits. BIG BOYS TOYS One of the machines that goes down into the mine, the two drillers work at the front of the machine in the cage which is where Todd and Brant were, the driver sets up and stabilises the machine which is where the miner that died, Larry was working.

GREENS BEACH Thought you might be sick of lovely blue seas so here are a couple of the locals just for a change. Greens beach is the western entrance of the Tamar river that goes all the way into Launceston about 40kms away which is very tidal. Bass straight looked like a lake today, hope it is like that on the 28th when we regretably return to the mainland.

The Heart of Launceston

CATARACT GORGE is visible from the West Tamar highway and just spectacular, this is the view from the cable car, that takes you across the first basin. As you can see there is a public pool and some school children were utilising it. Behind the suspension bridge is a walk that takes you to the Duck Reach power station, we hope to do that walk another day.
CATARACT GORGE After crossing the first basin we walked up the left hand side in the photo - zigzag track and then across King bridge and along the Cataract walk, great views both ways, then under the cable car and across the suspension bridge, so a good bit of exercise. A beautiful day, it got to 25 degrees.

LAUNCESTON After visiting the gorge, we went up to a lookout and had cup of tea that we had bought with us then headed down to the city and had a wander around. An easy to get around city then went to the Art Gallery and Museum, easy to spend a couple of hours there.

Simply Stunning

TAYLORS BEACH How gorgeous is this? Today we went back to the Bay of Fires as it was such a beautiful morning, the other day it was very overcast and the sea fog was rolling in. The beaches along the bay have white silicon sand and the most aqua water I have ever seen. Must be a great swimming spot in summer, see where Lonely Planet have named the Bay of Fires as a top holiday destination this year.
ST HELENS This afternoon I took the Land Cruiser in and had a service done, whilst it was at the mechanics I had a wander around town and this is the view across Georges bay to the wharf. Yesterday was a damp day but we took a drive to St Mary's, quite a steep windy pass takes you there, we will go that way tomorrow to Launceston as it is not as bad as the Weldborough Pass which is a longer pass and pretty hair-raising when you are towing. After leaving St Mary's we came home via Elephant pass and stopped at the famous pancake house there and indulged, pancakes were lovely but they should of lit their fire as it was freezing. Had a nice relaxing afternoon in reading then cooked a lamb roast for dinner - yum!

East Coast

BAY OF FIRES Yesterday we left the lovely Coles Bay and headed north to St Helens, a really nice drive along the coastline. St Helens has Georges Bay and is a large fishing port. After checking in we went for a 15 minute drive up to the Bay of Fires while it was still kind of fine as talk of a storm in the afternoon and rain for the next couple of days. The rain held off although it was overcast and the sea fog was rolling in, you can still see the colours in the rocks, the sea must look so pretty on a sunny day as a real aqua colour and very white sand. If it is sunny tomorrow we will go back there.

ANCHOR STAMPER Heading up to The Blue Tier there is a short walk that takes you to this machine in the forest, it was used years ago when tin was mined in the area, at one stage there were 800 Chinese working the mine.

PLATEAU AT THE BLUE TIER After driving up the forestry road you reach this plateau, really cold up there and in the forest there is this unusual mould on the grass and trees - looks like snow and even coral. The grass out in the open is very spongy and I have never seen so much animal pooh, sure it should be renamed pooh plateau, must be a pretty lively place after dark with wildlife.

After there we drove to Weldenborough, lovely scenery with rolling hills and dairy country, only thing there was a pub but we did get to see a live echidna at the side of the road. We headed back and called into the Pyengana Valley and went to the St Columba waterfalls, the tallest waterfall in Tasmania, very impressive but hard to take a photo that does it justice.

Swimming in Tassie

HONEYMOON BAY Hard to believe, but yes we had a dip today, I went out this far and Paul had a really good swim. The water here is just crystal clear, the first beach had small granite pebbles as the base and the next one over was very sandy. THE HAZARDS in the background of Honeymoon Bay, the bay is quite sheltered and a very popular fishing and kayaking spot here on the East Coast. The Hazards are renowned as a top spot for abseiling, reminds me of Red Rock Canyon just out of Las Vegas.

Picturesque Peninsula

SLEEPY BAY this is just one of the walks in the Freycinet National Park, the water is crystal clear and the rocks varying colours. It is very different vegetation to the other parts of Tasmania that we have visited, even saw a lizard, the first one in Tasmania.
WINEGLASS BAY we walked up between Mt Amos and Mt Graham which are part of The Hazards, great tracks, you get to do a circuit walk and surprising the people around today.

SLEEPY BAY from Tourville lighthouse, as you can see it is a lovely day and so nice to be back in summer clothes. We got home around lunch time, since then it has been really blowing and so much dust flying around. Was hoping it would be a clear night to take a photo of the sunset on The Hazards, meant to be spectacular, not looking good.

The Big 50

COLES BAY We left Hobart this morning and headed across to the East Coast, it is so pretty. Having a lovely 50th birthday, the setting here is lovely and we are here for three nights. Only have to wander down to the bottom of the caravan park where the tavern is, have booked a table there for dinner tonight.
FREYCINET This is the view from Coles bay to the red granite mountains, meant to be spectacular at sunset, so will go and take some photos from the point tomorrow night. The water is just crystal clear and lovely white sand at Coles beach. Tomorrow we will do some walks in the National park.

Last day in Hobart

RUSSELL FALLS Yesterday we went to the Mt Field National Park the falls were just lovely, we then carried on up the hill to the tall trees walk. Walked back down the hill and bumped into a young couple we met at Dubbo and on the ferry, they have two young children and originally came from Toowoomba. We previously went part way up Mt Wellington at the back of Hobart but too much cloud around.
DERWENT VALLEY from part way up to Mt Dobson, it was a very steep and windy road, at the top is a big lake and then access for skiers to the mountain. Funny to think that there are several lakes at the top of the mountain, one of them being water supply. A few people about as it was a public holiday.

JAN AND RUSS Last night we met up for Chinese at Sorrell, it was lovely to meet them in person after following their blog. We had a great night with quite a few laughs. A good time was had by all, great company and average food, but what the hell.

SEVEN MILE BEACH This is close to where we are staying at Cambridge, a lovely beach and imagine it would be great in 'summer'. Lovely views across the bay, just staggering how many lovely bays there are around Hobart, sure are a lot of homes with water views. We also went down to Kingston and had lunch there. Late this afternoon we had a drink with another couple in the caravan park, we have met them at Benalla, Melbourne and then at Lake St Clair. A very social couple of days.

Another stunning day in Tasmania

DERWENT VALLEY This was just out of Oust, lovely rolling country and such a contrast to the rain forest where we had spent the last couple of days. As you can see it is very dry in parts there.
RICHMOND Yesterday we went into the city to the Salamanca markets, very busy and pretty much the same old same old market stuff, some local crafts, but great vegies. We then went for a drive around the bay/harbour. Popped into the Wrestpoint Casino for about an hour, made a small donation to them. In the afternoon we went up the road to Richmond which is very pretty with some lovely buildings. The bridge is the oldest in Australia built in 1823. The Catholic church in the background was lovely that was built in 1826.

PORT ARTHUR Today we visited the historic site there, it was a great experience, as you can imagine a lot of history as to how the convicts lived and the folk who worked there, it is also very chilling when you think of the 1996 massacre. The day was fine but a really cold wind, we have been so lucky with weather, long may it last.

TASMAN SEA Upon leaving Port Arthur we carried on with the "Convict Trail" and visited Remarkable Cave, White Beach, up to the Historic Coal Mines - they also used convicts to work there, Tasman Arch, Blowhole and Devils Kitchen, all very spectacular and as you can see great weather. We are pooped tonight as left home at 8am and got home at 7pm.

Will just do some local touristy things tomorrow and in the evening we are meeting and having dinner with Jan and Russell who have been on the road for three years, how cool would that be?

Tuesday we will do the "Huon Trail" and on Wednesday we head off to Coles Bay for three nights. In Tasmania they have some great tourist drives which are named. Can't get over how many bays etc there are here in Hobart, it is a very nice city.

Back in the big smoke and on the net - yeah!

GORDON RIVER here is a photo of the Gordon River from when we did a cruise the other day, it is just so tranquil and lush, the river is around 30 metres deep in parts.

KING RIVER GORGE This is one of the views as you travel along the railway line between Queenstown and Strahan, it follows the river and the line was cut into valleys earlier in the century.
TURNING OF THE ENGINES At the top of the gorge the engines are put on this turntable and manually turned and swapped over, we left from Queenstown and went up with the steam and then down to Strahan with a diesel engine.

QUEENSTOWN After leaving Strahan we went up to Zeehan and then across to Queenstown as the road from Strahan to Queenstown is very windy and narrow. We had a wander around the Queenstown museum which was very interesting. Unfortunately couldn't take any photos going up the hills out of there as no place to stop and it was pouring.

LAKE ST CLAIR man was it cold there, it was wet nearly all the way there from Queenstown, it is at the southern end of Cradle Mountain in the National Park, once the cloud lifted we could see why it was so cold, there was snow on them there mountains - Mt Rufus and Mt Olympus.

MT OLYMPUS As you can see the weather cleared and we got in the walks which was great. Fired up the air-con and fan heater, it was less than 10 degrees outside. As there had been a lot of rain we back tracked and had a look at Nelson Falls, only 35 metres but spectacular. The water everywhere is dark with tannin which comes from the button grass.

We are now in Hobart for five nights, Tasmania is so busy you have to book ahead, which we have done.

West Tasmania

TALLOW BAY this is sunset on the bay in front of the caravan park at Stanley. Had a lovely few days there although it was very windy at times and you felt like you had been sand blasted. When we did the walk of the Stanley nut after going up in the cable car forgot to mention that there were a lot of flies, you had to walk with your mouth closed and felt like you should even wear ear plugs.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN Yesterday we left Stanley and drove through to Strahan, the roads are very steep and winding as you go around and over mountains and gorges, this was just one of the spectacular views, presume it is part of Cradle mountain as the turn off to there was just a few km's up the road. It takes a few hours to get here and not a lot of villages along the way or traffic.

STRAHAN is a very pretty town, quaint and touristy. It has the second largest harbour in Australia, the first being Port Melbourne. We have a great site at the caravan park, nice and grassy after Stanley that was very sandy. Booked here for four nights, in fact we are enjoying Tasmania so much that we have extended our stay by a week.
MACQUARIE HARBOUR is the name of the harbour here, we did a trip today that took us out through Hells Pass to the Southern Ocean then came back around the harbour and up the Gordon River. There are no roads in this large park that is world heritage listed, it is very pretty and tranquil. Have had another great day!