Wineglass(es) half full

Wineglass Bay was our target for this morning which was new (for us) and spectacular. On the way back down from the lookout from this iconic spot , we decided there was no better way to celebrate enjoying that magnificent view, than by returning to return to Bicheno’s Lobster Shack for another lunchtime helping of seafood sensation - accompanied by a half full glass of local Tasmanian wine.

Wineglasses half full on both counts? ✅

The Diamond Island Resort proved to be a comfortable overnight stay, albeit with the (on occasions) disturbingly loud sound of nesting penguins punctuating the peace of the night.

Today was forecast to be the warmest of our days here (28 degrees) so we set off early(ish) to drive down to Freycinet Peninsua ready to tackle the walking trails. A quick visit to the Information Centre (always a must IMHO) and armed with a map and some local advice, we headed on for 45 seconds of driving to the first vital stop - the very swanky Freycinet Resort (just inside the National Park) for a fortifying coffee with a great view.

A quick stop at the very picturesque Honeymoon Bay was next before heading on to the main activity of climbing to the Wineglass Bay viewing point. The walk wasn’t as taxing as we had thought it may have been - just a constant climb (70 flights of stairs according to our watches) and the view was beautiful. It’s no surprise this is the most photographed view in Tasmania.

Back down the same path then a drive and short walk to a couple of other scenic points including ‘Secret Bay’ and Cape Tourville Lighthouse. By the time we had reached this last one, a moderate sea fog had rolled in, partly obscuring the view. This also meant that the temperature stayed cooler than forecast.

Even though Bicheno wasn’t quite enroute to Launceston (which was our destination for today), revisiting The Lobster Shack for lunch was definitely a non-negotiable activity. Fortified by its wonderful fare, we then set sail for Launceston which was about a 2 hour drive.

Despite her best intentions to stay awake, Loss had a bit of a snooze in the passenger seat - but then opened her eyes at an opportune time and was immediately very excited! She saw road signs that said ‘Welcome to Perth’. Realising she must have slept longer than she thought, she insisted we stop the car and immediately visit Darcy and Jack pronto. After a short but fruitless search I was eventually able to convince her that she hadn’t slept THAT long and that yes, we were in Perth, but not THAT Perth.

Exactly 13 minutes after leaving Perth we arrived at our accommodation in southern Launceston. It is an impressive house that was built and occupied by the original owner of James Boags brewery and would have been exceptionally grand all those years ago and is still beautifully maintained today. Once we had deposited our luggage in the room, we decided that seeing it was still quite early (4.30pm) we’d visit Launceston’s No. 1 attraction immediately rather than in the morning. A couple of minutes drive, we paid the requisite parking fee which was measured in increments of 10c (!) and enjoyed a nostalgic ride on the chairlift just before it was closing for the day and we noted that the chair itself was still as uncomfortable as it was 40 years ago. We then wandered about the grounds, traversed the suspension bridge and generally enjoying the beautiful environs of this gem of a place. The numerous peacocks also performed admirably in the warm afternoon sunshine.

On the way back to ‘The Dragonfly Inn’, Loss had decided that seeing as the room had a basic kitchenette (and because we’d had a substantial lunch) perhaps we’d just stay in tonight and she’d cook up something.
Loss: “What would you like for dinner?”
Me: “Just something small and simple would be great, thanks - I’m still pretty full from lunch”.

See the photos for the result . . . .Okumaya devam et