We haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on our list. Read more Sydney, Australia
  • Day 18

    Home

    April 29 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Reality set in this morning - we needed to get home to make it to tonight's basketball games... so we left Wangaratta at around 8am with just a brief stop to change drivers at a truck stop somewhere 2 hours from Wangaratta and again at Pheasants Nest, arriving home just after 3pm.
    Whilst travelling with friends and seeing this great country is fantastic, we have to pay the bills somehow.... work and school tomorrow and preparation for the KLLAC AGM and Presentation Day next Sunday.

    Who knows when the next adventure will be - for now, it is Port Lincoln in January 2025.

    Stats: 17 days - 5,200 kilometres (3.6k km by car, 559 km by ferries (including Spirit of Tas), 25 sea miles (jet boat at Bernie Island), 22 km by bus (Cradle Mountain), 30 km hiking and 4 km walking, 8,415 photographs (dSLR), and lots of beer, wine, spirits and cheese!
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  • Day 18

    Home Sweet Home

    April 29 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We left Wangaratta early this morning for the long and gloriously straight drive home to Sydney. As beautiful at Tassie is, the one thing we definitely won’t miss are the narrow winding roads. We have a new appreciation for full width lanes and formed shoulders.

    It was an uneventful trip home, a bit of all weather and plenty of roadworks along the Hume Freeway, but grateful to all be home safely having enjoyed a wonderful time away.
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  • Day 17

    Wangaratta

    April 28 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Overnight we sailed from Devonport to Geelong, arriving at 9:30am. We were parked on the bottom deck and with one ramp out of service it took until 11am for us to disembark.
    The kids have been reading all trip but have read everything so a visit to a bookstore was required. They paid for their own books and were had a quick breakfast before heading north to Wangaratta.
    The roads are straight. The land is flat. And there are no steering winds. We’re not in Tassy anymore.
    We traveled to Brown Brothers Cellar Door and tried a wide range of their wines before moving on to a nearby cheese maker (but their tastings had ended for the day) and then onto Sam Miranda King Valley cellar door where we picked up some more wine.
    We checked into the motel then walked to Masala Corner, an Indian restaurant that we tried on or east through in January. Worth the revisit!
    And so our trip will end tomorrow. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time away and sharing it with Macca and Fiona and family. Next trip is already booked for January 2025!
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  • Day 17

    Wangaratta VIC

    April 28 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Five very tired but equally contented McDermotts disembarked the Spirit of Tasmania around 10:00 this morning after another relatively calm overnight sail. The SOT is a great way to access the Apple Isle - we’d definitely recommend night sailing in a sleeper cabin.

    After a lazy brunch in Geelong, we made it as far as Wangaratta before turning in for the night at the Wangaratta Motor Inn.

    On approach to Wangaratta we detoured via the King Valley gourmet region stopping for tastings at Brown Brothers and Sam Miranda Wineries and the Milawa Cheese Factory. Who even knew this region existed? I feel another trip coming on…

    For dinner we walked from our motel down the main street of Wangaratta for a lovely Indian meal at the Masala Corner Indian Restaurant. We knew we were on to a good thing when the local winery where we had a tasting session earlier in the day not only recommended the place but supplied their wine list!

    It was a fitting end to another fabulous road trip with our partners in travel crime - the Giffney family. We wouldn’t do it any other way xx

    Only 243 days until our next adventure begins… Stay tuned 😊
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  • Day 16

    Devonport TAS

    April 27 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    This morning we awoke to a picture perfect day at Cradle Mountain. We couldn’t not take the opportunity to jump on the shuttle bus back to Dove Lake for the iconic postcard photo.

    Dan got the perfect shot before the wind picked up and rippled the pond, while we trekked back to the boat shed for another quick pic to prove we were there - even if it now looks like I hiked Cradle Mountain with my handbag 🤣

    We feel very fortunate to have experienced Cradle Mountain in all its glory.

    Leaving the mountain we followed the Northern Tasting Trail as we slowly made our way back towards Devonport. First stop, Sheffield Bakehouse for brunch, followed by a tasting paddle at the Spreyton Cider Co. where the boys also enjoyed a tasting paddle of local juices. Next stops, Ghost Rock Wines and Anvers Chocolate Factory.

    We eventually made it Devonport where we explored the picturesque Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and completed some essential research at the Southern Wilds Distillery, locally know as Devonport’s departure lounge, as we bided time waiting for the Spirit of Tasmania to arrive in port - Sloe Gin for the win!

    We ended our eventful lap of Tassie with dinner at the local Irish establishment before boarding the SOT for our return voyage to the mainland.
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  • Day 16

    Cradle to Coast

    April 27 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Our last day in Tasmania. We started the day with fantastic blue skies. From the visitor centre we could see Cradle Mountain, free of clouds - unlike yesterday.
    We drove to the ranger’s station but could go no further in our car. With bus tickets valid for 3 days we jumped on the bus and headed to Dove Lake to capture the photo that alluded us yesterday.
    When we got to the Lake we raced to the water’s edge and started taking photos.
    The water was still and reflected the mountain. Clicking away with various setting and angles as quickly as possible.
    And then the sun started to warm up the surrounding land and the wind started to create ripples on the water.
    We raced around to the boat shed and got some more photos before jumping back on a bus.
    Our next stop was Sheffield - small town with a lot of charm and at least 3 cafes. We explored the shops before having lunch in a cafe.
    Heading north we once again saw Bass Strait - our “highway” back to the mainland later tonight.
    Stops at Speyton Cider, Ghost Rock Wines, Anvers Chocolate Factory, Southern Wild Distillery, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse and Beer Street before dinner at the Molly Malones Irish Pub.
    Tonight we board the Spirit of Tasmania at 9pm for a 11:30pm departure.
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  • Day 15

    Cradle Mountain

    April 26 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    When on a tight schedule you don’t get to pick the weather when doing something like the walk around Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain.
    Dove Lake has a 6km track around it. The lake was carved out by a glacier, the scars of which can still be seen on some of the granite rocks. The adjacent mountains creates a unique microclimate with clouds often circling the peak of the adjacent Cradle Mountain.
    The entire time we were there the clouds encircled different parts of the mountain resulting in not being able to see it all at once. In our travels we came across a photographer who had waited for hours yesterday and was going to wait a few more hours today to capture “the shot” of the mountain. It never occurred whilst we were there.
    Instead of wide angle landscape shots, we focused on macro again. The leaves of unique plants, including the yellow leaves of the only native birch tree. Again we found some mushrooms and mosses everywhere. The walk took us about 4 hours (usually 3 for those not photographing everything!)
    We left the mountain and went to nearby Rory Flats, which is the start of the Overland Trek - a 5-7 day hike back to Lake St Clare. Just on the short bit of the trek we did we came across around 10 wombats - none of which came too close.
    Back to the cabins to relax before dinner at nearby Peppers Bistro.
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  • Day 15

    Cradle Mountain TAS

    April 26 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    The most anticipated destination of our trip, the quintessential Tasmanian experience, another bucket list travel adventure finally a reality. We came, we saw (we shivered) and we conquered Cradle Mountain, sort of…

    We started early in a clockwise direction on the Dove Lake Circuit, a lovely scenic loop encompassing some diverse terrain and microclimates. The Ballroom Forest was especially enchanting, while the native Fagus trees were in full Autumn swing, edging the path in shades of gold. And of course we posed for the obligatory group photo at the iconic boat shed.

    Sadly, cloud obscured the top of the mountain all day and a light drizzle prevented us reaching Marion Peak. However, we were rewarded with a magnificent rainbow over the lake as a consolation prize.

    After completing the Dove Lake Circuit, we headed back to Rony Creek where it took us all of a few hundred metres to find a friendly wombat happily grazing right next to the boardwalk!

    We ended our fabulous day at the mountain with dinner at the Peppers Cradle Mountain Tavern Bistro.

    Fun fact: Cradle Mountain was named in 1827 by the explorer Joseph Fossey who thought it bore a remarkable similarity to a gold prospector's cradle.
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  • Day 14

    Stanley to Cradle Mountain

    April 25 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    We had an easier start to the day, although Helen did get up for sunrise. The kids had a play on the beach, checking out the various rocks before we headed east.
    We drove through Wynyard and then onto Ulverstone and went past the basketball stadium (where Daniel did a National Championships in 2009) and over the bridge where Daniel took a photo in 2009.... but the bridge has changed and the photo wouldn't be possible today.
    We headed back to Penguin to meet up with the others. When we arrived the ANZAC Day service was just getting underway. We listened to the speeches and paid our respect to those who have served to enable us to enjoy our way of life. Whilst the service was happening I saw a Vietnam Vet in bike leathers. He kept moving around and looked uncomfortable. At the end of the service he was getting his gear together to ride off. I approached him and asked if he was okay. We chatted for a while and we wished him well before he rode off.
    We then went to the Penguin Beer Company, just a few metres away from the service - having a beer paddle to sample their product and hamburgers for lunch.
    Then it was off to Cradle Mountain - some amazing sites along the way - steep and winding roads.
    Tonight we went to see Tassy Devils and Spotted Quolls being fed... tomorrow we climb Cradle Mountain!
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