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Tasmanian Adventure
  • Jacqueline Wills
  • Bart Wills
September 2022

Tasmanian Adventure

Driving down to Tassie in the 79, looking forward to all the little towns and places we'll find along the way 🤗 Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 1, 2022
    Tasmanian Adventure
    1

    On our way

    September 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Bart packed the last few things this morning while I was getting wages and super done, now we are finally on our way 🤗

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    Overnight at Woolgoolga

    September 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Stopped at Woolgoolga Caravan Park for the night, really nice spot right on the beach. The park is also dog friendly, which is handy to know. Beautiful afternoon to walk along the beach and looking forward to an early night 😴Read more

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    The Pines Campground, Watagans Forest

    September 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    We were woken this morning by a Bush turkey destroying our rubbish bin 🙄 which prompted an earlier start than we were planning. But it worked out well as I got a beautiful walk/run along the beach as Bart packed up the rooftop tent 🤗.

    After breakfast we headed off, stopping at a cool smokehouse Cafe for lunch at Hawkes Nest before continuing on to Cooranbong.

    Driving through Cooranbong I was scanning every bus that went past hoping it would be Travs bus, but it worked out that we missed him by about 5 minutes 😭

    After a beautiful drive though Watagans State Forest, we arrived at the Pines Campground, a free camp-site that is nestled in beautiful pine trees, they even have toilets! Though there is no reception at all.

    Trav and Abi arrived for tea, which we managed to have before the rain set in! Thankfully Trav brought a gazebo which we all sat under once the rain started! Abi was the most sensible one and went home for the night, out of the rain 🌧    Read more

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    Heading to Sydney

    September 3, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    The rain didn't let up all night, we woke to find that Trav had pretty much been washed out, where his swag was, there was a pool of water. He ended up spending the night in the back of his car!

    It was even too wet to try and cook breakfast. So we packed up camp in the rain and headed into Cooranbong to get breakfast.

    While Trav headed home to drop off all his wet stuff we headed to bunnings for an umbrella (🙄 the things you forget to bring) and ran into Tammy 🤗

    Now on our way down to Sydney, but looks like it's going to be a very slow trip with the M1 being closed from Wyong with a crash 😬    Read more

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    Sydney Stopover

    September 3, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a very detoured trip down Bart drove past quite a few points of interest to show Trav on the way to Dad and Mum's. It's been a very long time since Bart has been home again so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane.

    John and Cyndy were at dad and mums when we arrived which worked out so well, was great to catch up with them again. Cyndy was so surprised how good my hand looked (seeing she hadn't seen it since my operation) had a lovely afternoon chatting.

    Bart, Trav and I went out for tea with Dad and Mum to a lovely little Asian restaurant in Chester Hill. Followed by a late night chatting about the autobiography that pop is writing and looking though old photos. Trav was very interested in all the history.    Read more

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    Tranquil Burrill Lake

    September 4, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We had a lovely Fathers Day morning at Dad and Mum's, then left with Trav to have another look around Birrong and Sefton before leaving Trav who headed back to Newcastle while we went south.

    Thought we'd also drive past our first house in Engadine (seeing we were so close). Then went down the old Pacific Highway to the Sea Cliff bridge. We were on it before I realised and it was quite a bit shorter than I expected. Bart stopped on the other side so I could get a photo 📸

    The South Coast is really beautiful with a rugged coastline, we had rain on and off the whole drive and the sea was rather wild which added to the experience.

    After stopping at Thirroul for lunch, we continued down the coast passing Shellharbour and Kiama detouring to drive through Berry, stopping briefly in Nowra before ending up at Burrill Lake, Ulladulla.

    We were waiting to see if anything inside the tent got wet seeing we had packed up on Saturday morning in the rain but were pleasantly surprised to find everything inside nice and dry 🤗

    Think we'll have an early night tonight 😴    Read more

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    Pub from River Cottage Australia

    Scrubby Creek Rest Area

    September 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    We woke to a beautiful day, the rooftop tent managed to dry out overnight which was great.

    First stop today was a lovely short walk at Dophin Point then we headed off. We stopped at Central Tilba (from River Cottage) a heritage town which is super cute. Stocked up on some local cheeses then looked for somewhere to stop to have lunch.

    As usual when you want a rest stop you don't pass one 🙄 so we just pulled into a carpark in Cobargo to make some toasted sandwiches for lunch. As soon as we left Cobargo we came across a rest stop which wasn't on any of the apps (always the way)

    We then headed through Bega and the cute towns of Merimbula and Pambula before stopping at Ben Boyd National Park to do the short Pinnacles track which was great. It was after 5 by the time we left Eden to head to a free rest area just off the highway called Scrubby Creek.

    It's literally right next to the highway so not the quietest but we are the only ones here tonight (at the moment), and it's free 🤷🏽‍♀️

    All set up now and ready to have some cheese and crackers before tea 🤗    Read more

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    12The artist painted himself, he is the one kneeling

    Eden to Traralgon

    September 6, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Left scrubby Creek Rest Area after breakfast, and continued south, stopped at Cann River for a coffee, and then stopped at Bairnsdale to have a look through St Mary's Church. Last time we came through here we read about it but didn't have time to stop.

    The whole ceiling is painted like the Sistine Chapel (definitely not as grand) but still impressive. These murals were painted by Francesco Floreani, an Italian painter, who studied at Turin then moved to Australia in 1927 he couldn't find work (due to the great depression ) but came across the catholic church in 1931 and asked the priest if there was any work around. Once the priest heard he was an artist he told him he could decorate the interior of the church. So between 1931-1938 he painted the ceiling of the church.

    He even painted himself in the crucifixion scene, and the priest of the church. Francesco is the one kneeling down and the priest is the older man.

    We then headed into Sale for lunch and planned to stop at Gormondale but the free rest area was non existent when we got there 🤦🏽‍♀️ after much discussion - I wanted to go south to a national park (which was a bit over an hour out of the way) and Bart thought that was crazy, seeing we'd have to come back the same way.

    Unfortunately common sense prevailed and we headed towards Melbourne and stopped at a Big 4 caravan park for the night. Was handy because we were able to get all our washing done and ready for the real start of our trip tomorrow night 🤗    Read more

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    Trafalgar Holden Museum

    September 7, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Heading to Melbourne Bart saw a sign for this Museum so we detoured off to have a look.

    I was not expecting it to be so big or have so much history. A lovely gentleman called Jake took us around, even into the back work area to show us what they were working on for the museum.

    Even if you weren't into Holden's or even cars in general, there's lots to see. Even the history about JA Holden who started in the 1800's making saddles and leather items (who died at 52!). It's definitely worth a look through if you're ever in the area.    Read more

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    On board 🤗 The Spirit

    September 7, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We got to the Port of Melbourne early, parked up and went for a walk around the area. I hadn't read all the information I'd been sent, so didn't realise I couldn't take any fresh vegetables with me, and had to throw them all out 😭 I know now for next time!

    We boarded early and found our room. I didn't realise we were going to get a porthole cabin so was pleasantly surprised to find we had one.

    Was excited about this trip till Bart looked up the swell and said it was 6m (think I would rather have not known 🤢) let's see how we feel in the morning 😄    Read more

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    Arrived in Devonport

    September 8, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Arrived safely in Devonport 🤗 the swell wasn't as bad as I was expecting and having your own cabin is an absolute must when travelling on the Spirit. Especially when you have to wear a mask when you are walking around the ferry.

    It ended up being a lovely night and we both slept relatively well. I managed to get wages finished as we were driving off the ferry which was great.

    Now ready to start exploring 🥰    Read more

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    Crayfish Creek Campground

    September 8, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We left Devonport and headed to Leven Canyon, a beautiful canyon about 40 minutes from Ulverstone, really pretty drive out there and so many daffodils just growing wild along the road.

    The circuit has two amazing lookouts and 697 steps in between them! We decided to do the track anticlockwise so we were going up the stairs not down them which was much easier. We ended finishing, getting the done and heading back to the top lookout to get a couple of shots.

    Then we headed down the road and went to the canyon floor. Was just amazing how much water going down the gorge.

    We headed into Penguin and made some lunch next to the beach, then had a drive though the pretty town and headed west to find a caravan park or cabin because the wind was getting stronger and rain is coming in.

    We ended up at Crayfish Creek Caravan Park a quirky park with lots of rustic features. We were glad of the camp kitchen tonight with the rain coming down.    Read more

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    West Point Reserve to Arthur River

    September 9, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    After lunch we headed to Arthur River for the night detouring along the way to West Point Reserve.

    This area is apparently popular for its big waves with surfers, though there's no chance you'd get me in the water here! The area is so wild and beautiful. So many different coloured rocks, orange, yellow and white.

    Headed on to Arthur River and camping at one of the Arthur River Conservation Campsites. A beautiful night, with Bart even being able to watch the football on his tablet 😄    Read more

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    Stanley

    September 9, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We woke to the sad news that the Queen had passed away. It's funny the things in life you remember. Places you were when significant things happened. I guess we'll always remember sitting in the sunshine at a little camp-site at Crayfish Creek, Tasmania when we heard that the Queen had died. What an amazing woman she was.

    After cooking breakfast and enjoying the sunshine we packed up and headed to Stanley.

    We drove straight to 'The Nut' and headed up the very steep walk to the plateau and then did the walk around the top. The views were amazing! Well worth the stop. We decided we didn't want to spend $24 for the chair lift coming back down so walked it.

    The township is so beautiful, historic and very well kept, we started driving through but I'd keep getting him to stop so I could jump out and get a photo so we stopped and wandered around. Had lunch at the old Stanley Hotel which was lovely though Bart had to duck through all the doorways 😄

    About to head to Arthur River for the night.    Read more

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    The Edge of the World & Sundown Point

    September 10, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    We woke to a cooler drizzly day, with a Scottish mist rolling through every so often. We managed to get breakfast in before it got heavier but washed up and packed up a little quicker than usual.

    After heading to the information centre and picking up some maps for the area and the 60 short walks book. We headed to the edge of the world lookout Point.

    The West Coast is definitely living up to its wind and windy name today, as you took a step you'd have to lean into the wind to save being blown over 😄

    The final stop before heading to Corinna was Sundown Point Reserve, we did the 4WD track out to Arthur Beach and had a look around the impressive rock formations. Again we were rugged up against the wind and misty rain.

    Was nice to get back into the warmth of the car. Now setting off to Corinna 🤗    Read more

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    Zeehan

    September 10, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    We planned to spend the night at Corinna and headed down the Western Explorer Highway which is mainly unsealed road. You get areas of bitumen when your going up or down a steep windy section.

    We stopped at an area next to the road at Donaldson River and cooked toasted sandwiches in the rain 🌧 before continuing onto Corinna.

    It had been raining steadily all morning and once we got to Corinna it had really set in. The Campsites there were tiny and very wet (you really needed gumboots!) We had paid for a site (which was way too expensive for what it was! Especially when you had to pay for showers as well 🙄) so we decided to continue on instead. Bart went in and asked for our money back (I was too chicken 😄) and he paid for us to get across the Fatman Ferry and we continued on.

    It took about 40 minutes to get to Zeehan where we found the one and only caravan park has closed as a caravan park and only has cabins! After looking around the town (which was dead!) We had the option of a bed at the Cecil Hotel or back at Zeehan Bush Camp, we headed back there and booked a cabin for the night.

    A hot shower was very much appreciated.

    We wouldn't bother coming down that way again, it was probably the best day to do it though, with the weather the way it was. Because it's all very much the same, not much to see on the way. Corinna was certainly not worth the money either, the walks may be good but was way too wet for us to do them.    Read more

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    Zeehan to Strahan

    September 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    We were thankful to be in a cabin when we woke this morning, listening to the rain coming down and being able to have a hot shower 😄

    It was hard to get going knowing we were heading out into the cold and rain but finally braved it and headed off to the Spray Tunnel, which apparently has flow worms in it. I thought there was a 1km walk to get there but arrived to find you could park right near the entrance (you just have to walk if you have a motorhome or caravan) so that worked out really well.

    It's a cool old tunnel 100m long built to bring tanks through to the tin mine. We didn't see any glow worms though, maybe you need to go at night for them 🤷🏽‍♀️

    As we were driving out of Zeehan we saw a pioneer cemetery 1891-1930 which was really interesting and well worth the stop. It's like they just put the graves wherever, there is no order and so many are overgrown. We even saw two wooden headstones!

    We continued onto Strahan and meandered though the timber shops. The smell of Huon pine is just beautiful.

    With the weather so unpredictable we ended up getting a package deal for accommodation and tickets on the Gordon River Cruise tomorrow 🤗 (handy having RACQ membership, it saved us an extra $45 which I was very happy about)

    The sun came out at lunchtime so we were able to make lunch in a park and did the Hogarth Falls walk which was lovely, before heading back into Strahan to find our room for the night, we just managed to get our stuff out of the car before the rain and wind hit again!    Read more

  • Tasmanian Adventure
    1Female Huon pineMale Huon pineSarah IslandSarah Island

    Heritage Trail & Sarah Island

    September 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Yes, there was no way I could just choose 10 photos for the whole day! So here are a few more from the two stops.

  • Tasmanian Adventure
    On our way to the Cruise, so beautiful but we did get wet on the way!
    Heading out Hells GatesTraining wall, built by convictsGrummet IslandGordon River1

    Gordon River Cruise

    September 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Today we headed out on the Gordon River Cruise, we splashed out and decided to purchase the premium tickets which gave you top deck seating (large recliner chairs, angled towards the windows) and all your food and drinks. We weren't sure if we'd done the right thing till we went on it today, and it was worth the money.

    We loved the cruise, departing at 8:30 this morning. They had breakfast items for us first thing, before taking us out to Hells Gate. Just incredible the walls that were built by convicts to naturally dredge the entrance to Macquarie Harbour.

    Then back past Sarah Island and Grummet Rock before entering Gordon River where the boat was changed over to electric engines so we cruised down the river quietly.

    We stopped at Heritage Landing first for a walk around the untouched rainforest then continued onto Sarah Island (having lunch on the way). Sarah Island was so interesting, a tiny island that has seen so much!

    Then headed back to Strahan. The Cruise took 6 hours and we had 4 seasons today. Started in the sunshine, then rain and wind (a couple of times!) And then hail/sleet twice!

    Such a great day. So glad we went. But I have no idea how I'm going to choose only 10 photos 🤷🏽‍♀️    Read more

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    Queenstown to Linda Creek Campground

    September 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We woke to a beautiful day, blue sky and super cold.

    Queenstown was the first stop for us today, we weren't expecting much after reading a few reviews of the area but we were pleasantly surprised and ended up spending most of the day wandering around the area. Mt Owen towering over Queenstown really makes it look beautiful, and to top it off there was a sprinkling of snow on the top of it today 🥰

    The museum had so much information in it you could spend a day there. The old Empire Hotel is just beautiful inside, with a staircase that was built in England, they sent the wood over from here and then sent it back to be constructed!

    After a short walk up to a lookout over the township we headed off for a drive around and stopped at the pioneer cemetery 1895-1905. This cemetery is on a hill which would have made carrying caskets to the grave sites quite difficult!

    Just out of town is Horsetail Falls a short half hour return walk. But gives great views of the surrounding area.

    The amount of mountain bike tracks in the area is just insane! If you were into downhill mountain biking Queenstown is definitely the place to go.

    Across the road (to the entrance of Horsetail Falls walk) is another lookout Iron Blow which is the remainder of an old open cut mine. You can drive right up to this lookout.

    Originally we planned to head to Derwent Bridge for the night but after spending so long looking around Queenstown we checked wikicamps for a Freecamps campsite. The second one we looked at was perfect, so set up for the night looking out over Lake Burbury.    Read more

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    Nelson Falls

    September 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    After an icy start to the morning where the fridge was warmer than the outside temperature we packed up and headed off to explore the western wilderness road.

    First stop was Nelson Falls. The Falls are only a short walk in but well with the stop. The rainforest you walk through to get there is just beautiful, all the trees are covered in different mosses.

    The air is bitingly cold and fresh, is just amazing though I really needed a nose warmer 😄    Read more

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    Frenchman's Peek

    Heritage Trail & Derwent Bridge

    September 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 2 °C

    The next lookout was Donaghy's Lookout which gave superb views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

    We stopped at The Frenchman's Cap Trail but the suspension bridge is currently being repaired so it's closed 😥 looks like that one is for next time!

    Next stop was the Heritage Trail, this is another short but beautiful walk. Takes you through rainforest covered in moss down and along the Franklin River.

    We then headed on to Derwent River. I was so happy to start seeing snow along the road, so Bart found somewhere to pull over on the side of the road in the snow so we could make lunch.

    On the way we checked out the free camp sites which were quite interesting, one looked like a stump graveyard! (normally it would be underwater, right on the edge of the lake) Next stop we headed to Lake St Claire.

    After calling into the visitor centre at Lake St Claire we found out that the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel allowed you to camp for free in their carpark. So that's where we ended up for the night 🤗

    Bonus they had internet signal so I was able to get wages done for this week!

    Heading out tomorrow for a half day walk at Lake St Claire.    Read more

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    Lake St Claire

    September 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Headed to Lake St Claire first thing this morning to get a walk in before the rain arrives. We decided to do the 5.5km Figure 8 walk instead of one of the longer ones due to the weather.

    There was still quite a bit of snow and ice around the track which was great 🥰 we've decided that we're going to come back and do the overland track next year 🏕

    Just love these surroundings.    Read more

  • Tasmanian Adventure
    House was built in 1838, this Distillery is on 400 acres
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    Bethune Park (Free Camp)

    September 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We left Lake St Claire and headed towards Mt Field National Park, stopping off at Bronte Park General Store to grab some essentials and made lunch at the rest stop next door and filled up with water while we had the chance.

    We followed the Highlands Explorer hwy down through Ouse and called into Lawrenny Distillery to do some Whisky and Gin tasting. The girl in there was extremely knowledgeable and a great representative for the company. We ended up leaving with a single malt whisky (no surprises there 😄) a pink gin and a cold pressed coffee gin!

    It was too late to head to the National Park so we pulled into a free camp a couple of kilometres down the road. It had good reviews on wikicamps but unfortunately the area down near the lake was blocked off because it was too wet which meant we are up nearer the road, but there is a shelter and toilets which was a bonus as we got some light rain not long after we set up.    Read more

  • Tasmanian Adventure
    Lake Dobson11Junee CavesHappened to drive past this old Dodge, same as Bart'sThese little guys are everywhere and aren't scared of us at all.1

    Mt Field National Park

    September 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    The free camp at Ouse ended up being perfect, beautiful views and the shelter was fantastic, we were able to leave everything set up for this morning, instead of packing it up to save it getting wet.

    We headed to Mt Field NP and arrived just as the rain started!

    One thing I hadn't thought about when packing to come down was hiking clothes for wet weather 🙄 (apart from our rain jackets) we packed for cold just not rain! So there wasn't any point in heading out on any walks without getting drenched.

    Instead we drove up to Lake Dobson which was so beautiful in the rain and had a quick look before heading back down and went for a drive back out of the park and though some little towns and out to Junee Caves. The Caves weren't all that impressive but the walk out through the mossy rainforest was beautiful.

    We got back to the NP Campground and set up. It's a great Campground with a nice shelter and has hot showers 🥰 and a laundry so we were able to get washing done as well.

    Even with the rain it was a great day.    Read more

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