Melbourne

What a ferry trip-! Captain warned us about the 50km per hr winds in Bass straight. i would have liked to have witnessed the waves...but it was too dark. And he warned us against venturing outside. The waves weren't big enough to tip us out of bed but we rocked and rolled something fierce. We slept amazingly well considering. The big jarring thumps were the difficult things to sleep thru...i wondered how they kept the cars strapped on and not smashing into each other. We all continued to rock and roll for most of the next day.

Melbourne is such fun. We rode on the trams and saw some sights. Tried not to fit too much in. Here are a few highlights...

Cook's cottage in Fitzroy gardens - J dressed up.

Graffiti, it was really everywhere, except in the seaside suburbs...

The change sheds at Brighton. With Melbourne hitting 30 degrees, we simply had to go to the beach! It was funny tho, not that many people in the water deeper than their knees. Southern ocean temperatures just really are a bit too nippy!

Got an ice cream at St Kilda and walked by Luna parkand the Palais Theatre.

The Melbourne museum was terrific. The girls didn't want to leave even after hours and hours. But we didn't take any photos there. 

Our last night we had Vietnamese at a Richmond restaurant. Just so good! Girls were sure up late that night! Lucky we r all STILL on Qld time!!!

Cradle Mountain

After a relaxing last day in Strahan checking out Ocean beach and the other side of the harbour (which was in sunshine) we packed up and headed to Cradle Mtn. More great views along the way. But we were a little nervous. The forecasts were not looking good....rain....cold temperatures.....and snow above 1300 metres....but it was so nice out... This was taken coming out of Rosebery. There were blue skies and it was warm in the sun....

Sure was a cold wind blowing at the lookout towards Cradle Mtn tho. Even Cherry Bear was cold to the touch. We forgot to bring our jumpers and nearly had to run back to the car to keep from freezing!!

Decided we better put up the tarp. Best decision ever! Rain and sleet were of the order, all night. And it was fierce. Lots of wet campers that night who were digging trenches and then packed up and went the next day. We got water through our kitchen also, but we could live with that. It was freezing, but there was a great camp kitchen with fires going and plenty of tables. Everyone was in there unless they were sleeping or taking a shower!!!

Started to stop raining around lunch time the next day so we ventured out....to what I called the K-Mart car park of wilderness experiences. So many people.... Here we r with the crowds at the beginning of the Dove Lake loop walk. 

We didn't really have time to do the whole thing. Just part. Spectacular country. So I can understand why it is so popular. Even in the cold....

We spent the rest of the afternoon taking the bus back to do a few bits and pieces of the short walks at the other end of the park, including a boardwalk thru gorgeous moss forests. The rivers and creeks were raging of course after all the rain and the moss forest particularly pretty with so much water finding its way over rocks and down embankments. Saw a wombat asleep in its burrow as well as a few bits of sunshine and blue sky. So lucky to see it all!

The rain returned overnight and the temperature got back down to two or three degrees. Was challenging packing up the next day with everything so wet. But it didn't rain too much while we were at it, so that was lucky. 

We had an easy drive to Devonport to get the ferry. We had heaps of time before our evening boat departure time of 21:30. Certainly time for a ride on the little steam train at Sheffield and then happy hour and dinner at the Formby Hotel in Devonport overlooking the boat coming in from her day sail. 

It was a good end to the Tasi part of our adventure.

Strahan

Our first full day at Strahan was New Year's Eve. The sun came out so we madly organised a cruise of the harbour and Gordon river to capitalise on the good weather. They don't always run two a day, so we were lucky to get on. Met some friendly (non-bandit) bikies that had escaped Queensland without arrest and they gave us the good tips on the cruises!! Of course we ended up being seated right next to them on board. Nice bunch of blokes. They were happy to share specs as well as good travel spot tips!! 

Great afternoon of sunshine. Yay!! Enjoyed the trip to Hells Gates at the opening of the giant Macquarie Harbour (2 x Sydney Harbour in size!) where there was a single fur seal fishing. Then across past the two light houses and all the salmon farm cages... So many. And on to Sarah Island where secondary offence convicts were sent before Port Arthur. Great story with that place told with zeal by Ruben, an ex NT man. Lastly, up the Gordon river where the wind had died down just enough to start to get some of those glassy reflections that its renown for and we had a short walk thru the rainforest.

Such a great arvo that we coped with being herded with the many others. The o/nite option on the sailing boat would have been a great choice....shared with just 9 others. Another one 4 next time.... Girls enjoyed a chat with the skipper in the big boat. It was an impressive cat. Very smooth regardless of the bigger seas - has its advantages!

This greeted us on the way back to camp from the boat. One 4 the sunset appreciation club!

Another highlight of our stay at Strahan was watching the play, 'The ship that never was'. Just two actors and an open amphitheatre next to the visitors centre, right on the harbour. They were awesome. Heaps of comedy and audience participation. We were in stitches. U should have seen the dive the kid in the orange hat took to fulfil his part!! Hilarious. It was such good fun. Spot J being Mr Hoi in the play. She loved that. 

It's a great story. Girls really enjoyed it.

Lake St Claire

Long time no post, sorry. No wireless Internet reception 4 us in the places we were staying on the west coast....but it was worth it for the stunning scenery. Oh yeah, and the weather was really great too - NOT! Three degrees o/nite and torrential rain along with strong 40 km winds at Lake St Claire. Freezing. Thank goodness we had got some decent gear for the girls or we would not have been able to stay. Sleet at lake St Claire in the morning and we could see a dusting of snow on the back of Cradle mtn!! Hopeless showers did not help. But who cares. Great vistas of Cradle Mtn from the lake during our afternoon walk. Seemed to fine up just long enough for an afternoon walk....

And someone lost their tooth during that jaunt!!

Took us ages to pack up in the rain after a second night in the freezing cold. Saw an echidna on the way out for our troubles tho!

Stunning scenery all the way to Strahan. It was rainy and misty. But the rain could not take away the majesty. Great waterfalls and wild river crossings. Awesome drive. Hard to capture it with just a snap happy camera... This was taken on the road between Queenstown and Stahan but doesn't do it justice.

Port Arthur and Merry Christmas from Hobart

Another gorgeous scenic coastal drive from Freycinet to Hobart. It was a sunny day and the peaks of Freycinet peninsular set a stunning background to Great Oyster Bay. Lots of great little beaches and other bays along the way. 

Didn't stop at Maria island this time where I believe they have quarantined some disease free Tasy devils. It will have to wait for another trip. Instead we got into Hobart mid afternoon to let us do some you-know-what shopping!! Bought some lights and other pretties to decorate the camp for Xmas!

Blew a gale all night long. But the next day was fine for a day trip to Port Arthur. 

Saw our first Tasy Devil road signs on the way! Also went thru previously fire torn Dunalley. Good to c some new houses already finished, tho some glaring gaps too.

It was so pretty and warm at Port A, that it made it a little harder to see what the old hardships would have been. On a cold, rainy day tho I am sure it would b more vivid. Girls enjoyed checking out the old cottages and ruins. We enjoyed the tour guides stories tho some were a little grim. St David's church is still operational. Has a great organ that someone was playing when we came for a look. Girls couldn't help but want a pic. 

It was a big day and we still had some wrapping to do after the drive home. Oh, and there was a visit from Santa and the local fire brigade!! Kids thought that was totally awesome. There were lots of lollies too!!

Merry Christmas. Thinking of family and friends....Also spent Xmas day catching up on sleep and washing of all things. The washing tent....

Beautiful sunny day. We had a terrific spot at the caravan park on the water of the harbour at Berridale near Mona and the Cadbury factory (that was closed 4 the xmas week :( ). I am sure I could hear Mt Wellington calling us that day, but we didn't quite get there. Shame, as it was clouded out the rest of our stay. Another to add to the list for next time. Instead we enjoyed prawns and salmon and kids had a good session with some new stuff.

We spent Boxing Day checking out the city centre including the old buildings of the Salamanca markets. Reminded me of the Grassmarkets in Edinburgh very much. We went down to the docks and saw a big old world sailing ship dock for the day. Impressive. And we did a bit of shopping to pick up rain jackets 4 the girls in readiness 4 our jaunt to the west coast. After a full day we were lucky to b able to catch up with some Brissy mates who were down having Xmas with ma/grandma. Greatplace on the harbour with lovely gardens and dinner was fab. So generous. It was great to catch up and see how well their boys were doing. Such lovely boys. Girls were wonderfully entertained, particularly by the youngest!! 

Another highlight from Hobart was our trip to the historic town of Richmond. Boasts the oldest bridge in Australia that is still operational amongst a host of quaint old cottages and shops. Foundation stone dated 1823. Nice bridge too, to have that claim....

Freycinet

It was slow going to St Helen's from Launceston. 160 km took us 3hrs and i was worried we had been too ambitious trying to fit in Binalong Bay. But when we got to St Helen's we were too close to not go. Even tho it was cloudy, it was still worth having a look. Spectacular beaches along the southern part of the bay of fires. Plenty of surf for those interested and there were a few trying. Picked up some fresh oysters on the way. We would enjoy those later!!

Awesome travelling the coast road south to Bicheno and Freycinet Peninsula. The road straightened and flattened out significantly for this leg, so we were able to make much better time. 

Our first night at Freycinet the sunset was gorgeous. We joined a large congregation of the sunset appreciation club that night down on the beach at Coles Bay. So pretty. 

Our first full day was a rest day. Caught up on washing and had a bbq by the beach for lunch. Used our renewed energy to do the Wineglass Bay / Hazard Beach loop the following day. Walking up to the lookout was hard work, but check out the view!!

Met a cute family from Caboolture on the way up. So we had a bit of joke going to see who could make it to the beach first. We called it a tie in the end, but were impressed when the dad and son went into the water for a swim. Extra points for them!! But they didn't do the loop. Extra points for us for the extra k's!

It was a really great day. Proud of the girls for walking 11km and enjoying it. The clouds finally cleared well after lunch to reveal a glorious afternoon for viewing the beaches with the Mtns as the backdrop.

And there were heaps of old middens in the sand dunes and great shells as well. This is Hazards beach that the girls are walking along with their impromptu walking sticks just like the serious walkers!

Because the next day was forecast to rain, we decided to fit in a trip back to Bicheno to see the fairy penguins the same night after our big walk. Rewarded our efforts with a great pub dinner at the local in Bicheno before making our way to the beach to wait. We had to wait a long time. Checked out the blow hole that the Caboolture family had assured us would be a good place to go. Sure enough on full dark well after 9pm, the first of the penguins emerged. Super cute. Don't have photos tho as they don't like flashes - scares them back into the water. It was a big big day. Great day. One of the top 5 days so said the girls. :)

Next day poured rain as predicted. Coles Bay was still pretty tho, in the rain. Very misty and moody. G went and picked up rock lobster and abolone to try. Both were great, which is lucky for the dent they left in his hip pocket!! Rain stopped in the early eve so we had half a chance to dry out before the next pack. 

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.