1 & 2 Apr – Burnie

Back in civilisation we browsed the shops and again became separated from some of our money. We also spent time at the library doing more family history research. As before the old cemeteries we are looking for have been turned into parkland or have buildings on them.

We left Burnie for Devonport checking out nice little places like Penguin and Ulverston on the way.

Now we are queued up to board the Spirit of Tasmania and the holiday is all but over. We are already thinking about coming back next year to see more of the best beaches in Australia, the great camp spots and the interesting history.  

Goodbye Tassie

30/31 Mar – Black River

We drove nearly 15Km today to a great camp area next to the Black River estuary. The weather was great so we decided to have a quick dip in the river. It was a quick one. The remainder of the day was spent reading and generally having a relaxing time around the campground.

Black River Camp Ground

Soft Sand At Black River

Next day we set off on a day trip to Arthur River and any NW coast highlights we could find.  We had the obligatory coffee stop at the Tarkine Forest Adventure Park but didn't take up the option to take the slide ride down into the sinkhole.

Unfortunately there’s no public access to Cape Grim at the NW corner of Tassie unless you pay $80 a head for a bus tour. We gave the bus tour a miss because we simply don’t have the time as we draw near to the end of our holiday.

We celebrated our last camping out night with a campfire, roast, champagne and some red wine.
 

Slide Into The Sinkhole At The Tarkine Forest Park

West Coast Waves Up Against A NE Wind

 

27 to 29 Mar – Rocky Cape

As we left Zeehan it started to rain and the remainder of the day was punctuated by intermittent showers. Due to the rain and cooler weather we had to stop for morning coffee and chips at a nice lakeside restaurant in Tullah. Lunch stop was at Hellyer Gorge where we took a short walk by the river.

Our destination was to be somewhere on the north coast and there were lots of places from which to choose. We selected a caravan park behind the Rocky Cape Tavern; partly because of the $10 chicken parmas that night. They were very good meals.

Next day the weather improved and we did a day trip to Dip Falls and the ‘big tree’. There are a number of big trees in Tassie and this was another BIG one. We had lunch on a lookout overlooking Dip falls which were quite spectacular.

Dip Falls

Chris The Cow Whisperer

Last night some of the guests at the park were rather rowdy into the wee small hours so next morning we complained to management who said they would address the issue.

We drove to Stanley, checked out the coffee establishment at the wharf then rode the chairlift to the top of the Nut. We were lucky with superb weather and views as we walked around the top of the Nut. On return to camp the rowdy guys were still there but the manager came down and assured us the problem had been addressed. That night they played up until 4am. Management’s answer next morning was ‘well it is a pub’.   Not going back there.

Overlooking Stanley

Stanleys Nut

On Top Of The Nut (This is what happens with crooked fence posts)

23 to 26 Mar – Zeehan

Zeehan is another town that is a ghost of its former glory.  The main street still shows off some substantial stone buildings, including a 1000 seat theatre but there is a fair amount of empty space and vacant houses. Anyway, 2 op shops were open and proved useful in separating us from some cash.

The caravan park in Zeehan is in a nice rustic setting on the outskirts of town so we have decided to make it our base for the next 4 days.

With the weather improving, day 2 at Zeehan was proclaimed a chill out day (cause we need some down time) so we had a morning stroll up the main street and an afternoon visit to the local museum.  The museum contains a very comprehensive history of this mining district and gave us access to the Gaiety Theatre and several other heritage buildings.

Tour Boat Arcadia On The Pieman River

Crossing The Pieman On The Fatman Barge

Barge Instructions

Our last day based at Zeehan was spent on a Gordon River cruise. At 8am we arrived at Strahan to find it shrouded in fog but knowing the weather forecast we were looking forward to a warm and sunny day.  As we left port on our cruise boat the fog started to lift and the day warmed up as expected.   We crossed Macquarie Harbour and out into the ocean through ‘Hells Gate’.   

After a short time we returned to the harbour and visited Sarah Island, a former convict settlement predating the convict jail at Port Arthur. As we consumed a nice lunch we cruised up and down the river seeing beautiful reflections.

Hells Gate - The Narrow Entrance To Maquarie Harbour

Reflections On The Gordon River

Dewdrops On A Fern Leaf

More Reflections On The Gordon River

22 Mar – Queenstown

This morning the temperature was 3 degrees so consensus was we take our firewood and go back down towards the coast where it was hopefully warmer and drier. The rain persisted as we drove across the highlands where, despite the rain and cold, there were fishermen out on the lakes.

　
One of the mornings highlights was a stop at ‘The Wall In The Wilderness’ which is a high quality display of an artist’s wood carvings. We are not allowed to take pics so I Googled one for you. Der. The 'wall' is only part of the display; there are also many objects such as real looking leather gloves and hanging coats carved from wood.

The Wall In The Wilderness

Next was a stop for coffee and pies at Derwent Bridge.  After that we continued on to Nelson Falls which was well worth the stop and 10 minute walk up to the falls.

Wet and Happy Campers At Nelson Falls
 

Nelson River

 

Finally we arrived at Queenstown. What a sad old town. Many, many run down and abandoned homes and closed up businesses. Still, we enjoyed a great evening meal at the Empire Hotel.

 

Next morning we saw the on again, off again West Coast Wilderness Train leave Queeenstown for its halfway trip to Strahan.

 

West Coast Wilderness Train Leaving Queenstown

And One I Googled - Cause I Can

 

  

21 Mar – Pumphouse Campground (Lake Arthur)

It seemed like a good idea (and looked good on the map) to camp beside one of the lakes in the central highlands of Tasmania. One would think it idyllic.

We left the low country behind and started climbing into the high country with a stop at the old hydro construction town of Poatina for a coffee break. Afterwards the long climb continued so we stopped to enthusiastically collect firewood for our evening campfire by the lake.

Reality is sometimes a little different to expectation. We set up camp with the lake sort of in view past the power lines and trees. The temperature had plummeted during our ascent and the rain was threatening. We had time for a quick walk down to the lake then light rain set in.

Not put off by a little wet stuff and the coolness we put out an awning beside one of the cars and attached another awning to the first. Ropes and sticks and things held it all together but the rain got heavier. We quickly abandoned our flimsy shelter for the vans where we could get dry and warm. The gas heaters were fired up for the first time.

16 to 20 Mar – Longford

The trip from Bruny to Longford was our longest drive so far - nearly 260Km. That's what's so good about Tassie - there is a good amount to see within a short distance and a tank of fuel can last weeks.

In the Midlands we passed through several early to mid 1800s historic towns, including Oatlands, Ross and Campbell Town, with beautiful stone buildings, little church cemeteries and many other architectural artefacts from Tasmania's convict era.

No Trip To Tassie Is Complete Without A photo Of The Ross Bridge (1836)

 The area we are staying, just south of Launceston, also has several lovely old English style villages, including Evandale, Perth and of course Longford where we are based for a few days or so.

Our stay at Longford included several day trips, the first to Launceston for more family history research and shopping (again!).  Next day to Deloraine where we checked out numerous op shops then took a coffee/lunch break. Later that day the satnav took us a roundabout way to Liffey Falls up in the hills. Lucky we have a 4WD!

Liffey Falls

Next day trip was to the ski fields in the Ben Lomond Range via Jacobs Ladder. The views, both from the bottom and the top, were spectacular but the temperature at the top was 10 degrees with a cool wind blowing.

Part Of Jacobs Ladder



At The Top Of Jacobs Ladder 

Sometimes Its A Little Difficult To Get The Van Level