Easter Adventures - Day 3

Despite waking up to find I'd caught Ollie's flu bug, we were in the car early (the change of daylight savings helped here!) and on the road again. The first stop was Christmas Hill's Raspberry Farm for breakfast. I already knew this was a favourite of mine (having experienced their cheese cake at Festivale, and going there for coffee with Janie on the way back from the yoga retreat) but it was time to introduce Ollie to it.

We had great breakfasts - focussing around raspberries of course. I had the best french toast ever, and a raspberry latte, and Ollie had the big breakfast - including raspberry infused sausages. Was hoping the Vitamin C count in the raspberries would help get rid of the bug! The cafe is in a lovely setting, by a little lake that you can walk around, with the raspberry canes up the hills around it. So after breakfast we had a wander round the lake, before climbing back into the car. Saw a bird that looked quite like a weka...but I don't think it was!

We were heading to Cradle Mountain - one Tasmania's tourist spots, and natural wonders. Along the way though we ducked off the main highway and drove through the little villages - they have some great old buildings in them. We also went via a look out point up on one hill - unfortunately the trees blocked a lot of the view to be had.

Lots of interesting sights along the way as well - including a beautifully clear river with great reflections (and a dam further up the river), interesting road signs, and the change in landscapes.

Cradle Mountain is in one of Tasmania's largest national parks. They have now stopped you from driving into the park to help prevent damage to the place. You must park at the visitor centre carpark, buy a park pass, and then catch the park bus into the park - there are various stops along the 20min drive, depending on where you want to walk. It is also the start of one of the main tramps in Tassie - The Overland Track, a 65km track that most people walk in about 5 - 6 days (a bit like doing the St James Walkway for those of you who like tramping) and also like the St James, some people do this track much faster - in about 7hrs, as part of an adventure race!!!! Both of us being a bit under the weather, we took it easy with a short walk around part of Dove Lake (which was formed by a glacier many many years ago), taking in the view of Cradle Mountain. We also got to see some local flora and fauna, including a wombat!

There was still daylight left (and the last day of having the car) so after a quick bite, we decided to cram in a few more sites. We headed over to the west coast, driving down through the sand dunes til we reached Strahan (pronounces Strawn). Another lovely place by the sea :)

A nice dinner before a drive in the dark home. Ollie managed to squeeze in a trip to the supermarket the next morning to make the shopping easier before he returned the car, and then it was time for Ollie to start studying again, and both of us to rest a bit and get rid of our bugs!!!

Easter Adventures - Day 2

Saturday of the Easter weekend, saw us up and in the car bright and early. We were heading to Hobart for the day (more sea to see!). We stopped in Campbell town on the way for a yummy brunch, before heading down through the centre of the island to Hobart.

We had chosen Saturday for our Hobart visit, so that we could go to the Salamanca Markets - big markets that Hobart is known for. So after juggling our way through the one way system and finding somewhere to park, we set off to explore the markets...which seemed to go on for miles!

Then we explored the waterfront, looking at all the interesting yachts and fishing boats. We even managed (with the help of the camera zoom!) to look at the Sea Shepard boat.

After lunch in a little cafe behind the market, where we ate some yummy  local food, we hopped in the car again and drove round the coast a bit (looking at other marinas!) and then headed across the river to look at the other half of Hobart. Got some good views of the harbour bridge, and looked at some more boats :) found a lovely little cafe for a yummy hot choc & cake, before heading home.

We went home via the East Coast - very beautiful coastal drive. We definately made the most of being able to see the sea! Stopped in Swansea for dinner - however by this time it was dark so we didn't see much of the place, or of the drive home after that.

Hobart is a lovely vibrant city, with a great waterfront scene. We definately hope to visit there again, and spend some more time exploring the East Coast.

Easter Adventures - Day 1

We hired a car for Fri, Sat & Sun of the Easter weekend. We had a very vague plan of places we wanted to see during that time, otherwise we just wanted to explore Tassie...we managed to see quite a bit - clocking up 1600kms over the three days!

Friday morning after picking up the car, we headed north along the western side of the Tamar River. We stopped in to visit our friend Ruth in Deviot for a quick cuppa before heading to Beauty Point, where the AMC has another campus. A quick look at the boats before continuing on to Devonport.

Devonport, built on the mouth of the river Mersey, is where the ferry to Melbourne departs from, so we had to have a look there to see the ships (unfortunately the ferries weren't in when we were there!).

We stopped for lunch in Burnie, another town on the coast - lovely golden beaches. From what we could see (and what the guide book says!) Burnie is quite an industrial town, though they are showcasing more of the local makers and crafters now. Being Good Friday though not much was open, so we kept driving along the coast. We went out to Table Cape - we'd spotted a lighthouse to visit....but we couldnt get very close to it :( We did get a good view along the coast though.

 

We continued on as far as Stanley - a very cute old town, an a headland called "The Nut"

Ollie enjoyed driving again (despite having a chesty cold) and it was great to be adventuring...we got home in the dark, ready to have more adventures the next day.

"I must go down to the seas again"

Having been in Lonnie 2mths, we were both missing the sea alot. Lonnie is inland about 50kms at the joining of 2 rivers. And rivers just dont smell the same as the sea! So when we were offered the loan of a car for the weekend, we took the opportunity enthusiastically.

Our plans for where to go in the car automatically included somewhere where we could see the sea, so we headed down to the mouth of the river we live by, to George Town, and Low Head. Some pretty lighthouses there, with an old pilot station complex (that is now accomodation if you want to go stay in little whitewashed cottages). Our first sniff of the sea when we got out of the car was bliss :)

After looking round Low Head we then drove to Bridport, a cute little seaside village, apparently where folk from Launceston used to go for their seaside holidays. Lovely golden sandy beaches, and calm blue bays. Found a nice cafe where we had lunch before continuing on our drive.

We drove through Scotsdale, wasn't much open by this time, so we headed to what the locals call The Stump (and what is actually called The Scottsdale Forest EcoCentre ) - an eco building that houses the Information Centre and one of the Forestry offices.

We completed a loop by coming home via Lilydale -  the town that is apparently famous for it's painted poles! (A bit like how Tirau has all the corregated iron sculptures) Turned out that the base of every lamp post or power pole has a mural painted on it!

Was nice to get out and about (and see the sea!) and be able to do the supermarket shopping with out having to worry about carrying it home!!

Next adventure, Easter, when we have rented a car for 3 days :)