Tas - Bicheno

Travelling north from the Freycinet Pennisula you drive through the charming fishing village of Bicheno which is many people’s favourite spot on the east coast.
The beaches have fine white sand, clear turquoise water, the cafes have great coffee and the atmosphere is one of relaxation - just sit back and admire the natural beauty of the area.
At dusk you can watch the penguins hurrying home as well as enjoying the many walks around town and along the beaches.

Tas - Freycinet Penninsula

After leaving Port Arthur we drove up the coast road passing through several small towns along the way. The country side is dotted with cattle and sheep farms, vineyards, fruit and berry farms, very picturesque but much dryer than the green lushness of the west coast.

We spent two days at Coles Bay on the edge of the National Park where the famous Wineglass Bay is nestled. We walked one and a half kilometres to the top of the lookout on a beautiful sunny day only to find that my camera did not work. Frustrating as the view is stunning. There was no way that I would attempt this walk again so soon. It was a workout.

However the other bays in the area are quite beautiful.This is a kayakers, camping and bush walkers haven. As well as many B & B’s in the area there are also two five star resorts. We had a wonderful wine tasting afternoon at The Freycinet Lodge trying some of the local wines and produce.

Tas - Tasman Island Cruises

We spent an exhilarating three hours with the Pennicott Wilderness cruises exploring the coast between Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur. The ocean was smooth, hardly a cloud in the sky, a near perfect day. The boats seat about 30 people, we had our long pants, jumpers, jackets and beanies on and we were still frozen. They handed out red weather- proof ponchos which helped keep out some of the chilling wind. Thank goodness it is "summer".
We went inside deep sea caves, cruised below some of the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere, watched albatross soaring on the wind, and laughed at the seals playing in the water and relaxing on Tasman Island.
We passed a refurbished sail boat, the James Craig, and I was amazed at how much the boat rocked from side to side on a relatively flat sea. Several people on board were on the mast riggings enjoying the ride.

Mike and I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend either the Port Arthur or the Bruny Island cruises by the Pennicott cruises in their yellow boats.

Tas - Port Arthur

I was a little apprehensive about going to Port Arthur, firstly because of all the suffering that the convicts endured and, secondly, of the murders that happened there several years ago.
We did, however, decide to visit the Historic site and enjoyed the afternoon immensely. When we arrived, we were placed in a group with a tour guide who lead us around the site, learning the history and hearing many stories about the Port and its’ people. By 1840 more than 2000 convicts, soldiers and civil staff lived here. A range of goods and materials were produce here, everything from stone and bricks to furniture, clothing, boats and ships. Our guide was very enthusiastic and entertaining which was a pleasant contrast to the horrors that the convicts were forced to endure.
Later in the afternoon, the second part of the tour was a 20 minute ferry cruise out to the Isle of the Dead cemetery where all those who died at Port Arthur were taken to be buried.
At one time when it was a thriving ship building and convict settlement there were over three hundred buildings and today is the best preserved convict site in Australia. Now, there are thirty historic buildings and ruins left and they are dispersed in the beautiful well kept gardens.

Tas - Hobart

We stayed about 20 minutes outside of Hobart and drove in for the day. We took a tour of the city on a red double decker bus with a very entertaining driver and tour guide. We drove by many of the original old buildings, Casade brewery, crossed the Hobart bridge and viewed the city from across the harbour.

We had lunch at Salamanca Place which is full of fantastic restaurants, bars, specialty shops and galleries. The markets here on a Saturday are massive with local produce, crafts, food and almost anything else you can think about.
We walked around the harbour, viewed the cruisers, fishing boats and sail boats at Constitution Dock. The area has a great vibe and we visited more galleries and ate a wonderful seafood dinner on the docks. It doesn’t get much better than that!
The heritage here is rich and the Hobart people love showing off their city and we loved it.

Tas - Bruny Island

Bruny Island is Tasmania’s fourth largest island. We drove to Kettering which is 40 klms south of Hobart and caught the vehicular ferry, the “Mirambeena”, for the short trip to the island. The men on board who direct the vehicles into their positions on the ferry do an amazing job, a bit like a jig saw puzzle, getting everything to fit in neatly.
We picked fresh strawberries and ate them over the next couple of days. They were delicious. All over Tasmania fresh produce is sold at road side stalls, we have bought cherries and stone fruit.
The southern tip of Bruny is very rugged and is the home of Australias’ second - oldest manned lighthouse, built by convict labour with spectacular views over the Southern Ocean.
One day while here, the weather was cold and wet. We stayed in one of the National Park camping grounds, collected wood and had a fire each night. We were thankful that we had bought our beanies along. One morning, it was 7 degrees inside the van. Mike got up, lit the gas burners on the stove and they heated the van up very well. An unusual way to get warm but it worked! This is Tasmania in the summer time. Every day that we have been here we have worn a jacket and I believe that the temperature has been in the high 30’s back home in the Hunter. Amazing! Such a contrast.
Captain Cook, William Bligh and Matthew Flinders have all stopped at Adventure Bay on the island. We visited the local museum which held many of the ships logs and artifacts.

NSW - Queenstown

After leaving the lush area around Strahan we drove through the countryside for about forty five minutes when we rounded a bend in the road and suddenly the landscape in front of us looked like a desert.
The forest had all gone and you are left with bare hillsides that have either been mined for copper or the fumes from the furnaces have poisoned the vegetation. It is such a stark contrast to the lush forests that we had been driving through.
The road out of Queenstown is a challenge for anybody towing a caravan. It winds its way narrowly around, and up and down several mountainsides, is very steep with countless hairpin turns. Somebody had recommended that we travel south along the west coast as these hills would be a nightmare on our brakes if we had to go down them. As it was, our caravan and four wheel drive brakes were smelling when we finally left the area. I must say, I was rather nervous as we traveled this stretch of road and was so glad to reach our camp for the night. We spent the night beside a lake and it was wonderful to sit there, relax with a beer and watch a fly fisherman trying to catch his dinner.