Cockle Creek has been on our to do’s list for some time. The camp site is the most southern in Australia, swimming in cold ocean water and walking to see the most southern Australian point. The weather could not have been better.
Cockle Creek
Bruny Island
Day #1
After a quick 20 minute ferry trip we were travelling down the northern section of the island and driving onto our National Park camp on The Neck.
Had lunch at Hotel Bruny, Alonnah followed by a lighthouse tour on the southern point of the island
Lighthouse Tour…
Day #2
Early beach walk, patiently looking for birds to photograph, coffee at Adventure Bay, another walk in a rainforest, lunch at Australia’s most southern vineyard, obligatory chocolate store visit and then finished up sitting on the beach on a sunny but cool late afternoon AND cooking freshly picked cherries
Hobart & Huonville
Perfect morning for a walk along the city harbour and Constitution Bay
Traveled in search for fresh apples and berries in and around Huonville. Alas, we had missed the season. Lunch at a restaurant adjacent to the Huon river was excellent.
Cousin catch up
One of my cousins (Steve) and his wife (Lynne) moved to Tasmania 34 yeas ago. They are now living close to Hobart. After visiting them at their home we went out for lunch at the historic township of Richmond.
Port Arthur Historic Site
We had both but separately visited Port Arthur more than 25 years ago and had mixed feelings about visiting again due to the 1996 massacre.
Not far from our farm stay were some amazing coastal land features…
Maria Island
Traveling further south along the eastern coast our next stop was Triabunna. Triabunna is the port from which visits to Maria Island is either typically taken by ferry or a cruise. We took the latter. The conditions were very good for a full day of cruising. It is difficult to describe the spectacular variety of coastal island scenes. The cruise circumnavigated the Island (65km).
Freycinet National Park
One of the great benefits of travelling throughout Tasmania is that nothing is a great distance from the next destination. It was only a short morning drive to Freycinet Golf Club, where we had our base, close to Wineglass Bay and more.
Tourville Lighthouse & Sleepy Bay
What a perfect day and experience. The weather, the scenery, the swim… but the walk was pretty tough… sooo many stairs
White Sands Resort
Arrived at Four Mile Creek which is on the NE coast to a beautiful but extremely windy day. An easy set up as we stayed hooked up. The free camp site had quite a slope hence the use of ramps on the cars rear wheels. Also our 1st swim in the ocean. Temperature was OK at around 18 degrees.
Our 1st swim in Tassie was exhilatating ( read cold)
Ross
Could this be the town that sells the best vanilla slice? Also more interesting history to take in. Had to buy beanies and gloves with the temperatures lower than we had expected.
Launceston
So much to see and do in just under 3 days. The weather was perfect with “one” exception. After setting up we booked a James Boag’s brewery tour which included beer tasting! As the tour was conducted in an operating factory we were not able to take photos. The tour was informative (historical & brewing facts) & interesting.
Day 2 we decided to walk to the Ben Lomond summit (from the summit village) after driving the most scenic drive from our camp site. Unfortunately, conditions were MUCH windier than forecast making the temperature around 2-3 degrees (wind chill effect) and reduced visibility due to being in the “clouds”. It was exhilarating and challenging!
Before we celebrated our wedding anniversary we walked the Cataract Gorge in the morning
Definitely a big moment… celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary at Josef Chromy Restaurant!
