Down to Tasmania....and hot in Launceston

The drive to Melbourne went well until I got us stuck in the backstreets of St Kilda while looking for a car park we could fit. Folly! Our two way street turned into a one way (and of course the wrong way for us). Had to unhitch to get out of that jam!! Luckily we didn't make anyone too cranky while we took up a whole street for a while.

After that we got gun shy and headed straight 4 the docks. Eating on the ferry worked out just fine!! Actually the ferry was better than expected. Good food. Nice cabin. Ensuite with great shower - didn't expect that. We hit some big seas in the middle of Bass Straight, but nothing u couldn't sleep thru. Took a while to get thru quarantine in the morning, including to dig out some offending potatoes (oops - they don't want potato blight down here) and it was rather early especially still being on Qld time as we are. But we weren't in a hurry. As it was we got to Hadspen near Launceston by 9.30 in the morning. I think the camp ground is used to people turning up way too early....

Didn't expect it to be hot in Tasi. But it was in Launceston. A balmy 28 degrees or so. We even went to the aquatic centre for a swim. Kids loved the waterside. The girls were treated to up close baby bird viewing as the park owner was also a breeder and had an impressive aviary. We also checked out the more touristy sites like Cataract George, where a peacock very kindly showed J his tail feathers. She was impressed! Caught the chairlift one way and this is us on the walk back over the old suspension bridge. 

G found the Boaggs Brewery, and we toured a great 'historic' house called Entally. Shame it's not making the proceeds it needs to, to stay open like it is now. Girls enjoyed it too with its kids play room all set up with old style wax dolls and doll houses with real miniature china tea sets. They would have loved to jump that barrier! There were old stables complete with carriages, a blacksmith shop with the old billows, barn, caretakers cottages and they think one of the earliest cricket fields in Tasi, if not Oz. Garden was devine too.

Next day we were packed and on our way smack on 10am. Best pack yet. Off to Freycinet National Park via St Helen's and the Bay of Fires.