Reset search
TAS Road Trip 2024
  • McDermotts Travel Oz

TAS Road Trip 2024

Making memories one road trip at a time. Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    April 12, 2024
  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Albury NSW

    April 12, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    On the road again, heading south. Destination Tasmania. Very excited as none of us have ever been before.

    It’s a different kind of adventure for us this time leaving the caravan behind and taking our chances on a range of motel, short-stay rental and cabin style accommodation.

    It was a slow roadwork riddled start, but once out of Sydney we cruised down the Hume Highway stopping briefly for lunch at Sutton Forest, fuel at Yass, and a quick detour to view the HMAS Otway at Holbrook.

    Tonight we’ve made it to the Albury Manor House in central Albury. Let’s just say it would have been stately in its day 🤣

    Despite the room being twice the size of our caravan we do miss the convenience of having everything on hand - it sure beats unpacking and repacking the car for short overnight stops.

    A quick drive up Monument Hill for a beautiful sunset vista over town before dinner at the Commercial Club - recreating a memory from our 2016 Great Ocean Road trip. The boys were disappointed the all-you-can-eat buffet died out with COVID but were more than happy with their mega schnitzels instead!

    Looking forward to really starting our Tassie odyssey as 'spirited travellers' tomorrow.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Murray River, Albury

    Geelong VIC

    April 13, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A quick detour leaving Albury this morning to peruse LuftWasser 2024 in the park opposite our morning coffee stop. Advertised as Australia's leading independent Porsche event, the festival showcased cars that are driven not polished. The boys at least were impressed.

    Moving on we caught up with Dan & Helen and arrived promptly in Geelong around mid afternoon excited and ready to board the Spirit of Tasmania, only to find it had been delayed and boarding would not commence until 9:30 pm. Hence we are now intimately acquainted with the Geelong waterfront!

    On the plus side, I did find the best raspberry muffin ever at a cafe on the foreshore and we all enjoyed a yummy dinner at Hecho En Mexico, a happening little place on the beachfront.

    We’re now playing ‘spot the SOT’ as we patiently await its arrival in Corio Bay.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Spirit of Tasmania East Devonport Terminal

    Spirit of Tasmania

    April 13, 2024, Bass Strait ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    After a long wait for delayed boarding we eventually sailed out of Port Phillip Bay in the early hours of Sunday morning. Happily we were able to sneak a cheeky port on the port deck as we left port 🍷😁

    Our cabin was cozy with all five of us in it but much better than the complimentary recliner option. In fact, once in bed it was quite comfy. I could even get accustomed to the quiet hum and vibrations of the ship’s engines while being gently rocked to sleep.

    Big thanks to Helen’s forward thinking and loan of an inflatable hiking mattress, which fit like it was made for the space between the bunks. And bless Lachie for graciously accepting this as his bed for the night xx

    We had a lovely calm voyage and were even welcomed to Tassie this morning by a spectacular full rainbow just outside our porthole window. Let the adventure begin!    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Launceston TAS

    April 14, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today we can claim to have visited every state in Australia within the past 12 months! Pretty impressive.

    We disembarked the Spirit of Tasmania in Devonport around 10:30 am and headed south, stopping on route at the Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for the most delicious punnet of fresh raspberries ever. We took only a few hundred metres to completely devour them as we continued down the Midland Highway towards Launceston.

    Here we explored Cataract Gorge, a unique and unexpected urban wilderness wrapped around a dramatic gorge, just a stroll from Launceston’s City Centre. The highlight was the First Basin Chairlift which spans over 457m, including a central span of 308m making it the world’s longest single span chairlift. It was a delightfully slow retro ride with stunning views over the reserve.

    After a few short walks around the grounds we headed for the east coast and our first real destination, Binnalong Bay. The Lazy Waves Beach House will be our home for the next few nights as we explore the Bay of Fires and northwest region of Tasmania. The house is superb, with a generous balcony overlooking the beach - perfect for our first Tasmanian happy hour 🥂    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Binnalong Bay TAS

    April 15, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Making the most of a beautiful Tassie day exploring along the Great Eastern Tourist Drive.

    First stop Eddystone Point lighthouse overlooking the Bay of Fires Conservation Area and marking the easternmost point of the Tasmanian island. Here we experienced the iconic granite rocks splashed in orange lichen against a backdrop of clean white beaches and clear azure seas. A truly stunning landscape, exactly like the brochures. Bucket list ✅

    Next stop, Little Blue Lake - a natural phenomenon resulting from the pioneering mining days of South Mount Cameron and the surrounding areas of the far northeast of Tasmania. Originally a mine hole, the lake reflects a vivid aqua blue from the minerals in its base. It was slightly overcast when we arrived and possibly lacking its sparkle, but an impressive sight nonetheless.

    Moving on we headed to the Pyengana Dairy, home of Australia’s heritage farmhouse cheese, continuing 135 years of tradition producing handcrafted dairy products. While Anthony and I enjoyed a Tasmanian tasting platter, the boys made a big call confidently declaring their ice creams to be the best ever - all eaten before I had time for a picture!

    Down the road we indulged Priscilla the beer drinking pig at the Pub in the Paddock. I was a little conflicted by this tourist attraction, but they assured us she only drinks a “specially watered-down” brew. We were amazed how quickly she guzzled it!

    A bit further down the road we ventured out to St Columba Falls - reportedly the tallest in Tasmania and one of Tassie's top 60 short walks. It was a lovely stroll through the rainforest down to the falls and back up again.

    All in all, a fantastic first full day in northeast Tassie.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Bay of Fires TAS

    April 16, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    This morning Dan was up bright and early to capture the beauty of sunrise over the Bay of Fires. I was keen to join him but succumbed to the warmth of bed for some precious extra minutes. His images are spectacular, thank you for sharing xx

    The five of us did make it down to the beach later in the afternoon where we discovered it's not called Bay of Fires for nothing, with large smoke plumes visible to the north - planned hazard reduction burns, so we believe.

    Once named by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s ‘Most Beautiful Beaches’ there’s no doubt the Bay of Fires lives up to this reputation.​ It was absolutely stunning, with super fine cool white sand and crisp turquoise water. If only it was 20 degrees warmer 😍    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Bicheno TAS

    April 16, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Twelve months ago we enjoyed a delicious seafood platter beside a sparkling blue Indian Ocean at the Lobster Shack in Cervantes WA. Today we repeated the experience on the opposite side of the country beside a brisk Tasman Sea in Bicheno TAS. A very different setting, but equally memorable. Dare we say east coast lobster for the win 🦞

    To wash it down, a few kilometres down the road we visited Devil’s Corner Winery with its magnificent views over Great Oyster Bay. We enjoyed a private tasting and a new found favourite - Pirie, named Best Sparkling and Wine of Show at the 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge. Of course the soundtrack to our drive home included a few clinking bottles 😉🍷

    Somewhere in between, we also managed to explore the quaint little town of Bicheno and the blowhole for which it's somewhat famous. Such a simple thing, but curiously entertaining to stand and watch water erupting out of a hole with each wave. Miraculously, in spite of teenage bravado, we all managed to stay dry.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    1

    Freycinet NP TAS

    April 17, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Tassie is really turning it on for us. Another cracking day in shorts and t-shirts exploring Coles Bay and the Freycinet National Park.

    First up (and I mean literally up) we hiked to Wineglass Bay lookout for one of Tasmania’s most celebrated views. Our efforts were rewarded with an amazing panoramic view over the headland and glistening turquoise waters of the curvaceous white beach below.

    Next on the tourist trail we checked out Honeymoon Bay and Sleepy Bay, both interesting contrasts on opposing sides of the isthmus. Last but not least we drove out to Cape Tourville Lighthouse and explored the cliff-top boardwalk with views back into Wineglass Bay.

    It was a long slow drive to our next accommodation, but not without some beautiful scenery and a few interesting finds along the way - such as Spiky Bridge near Swansea, made in 1843 entirely out of field stones without any mortar or cement. The ‘spikes’ are said to protect the bridge from harsh winds. However, some people claim they were put in place to stop cattle falling over the sides.

    We ended the day with dinner at the Dodges Ferry Hotel before returning to Beachside Family Surf Retreat in Carlton, our quirky home for the next few nights - and by quirky I mean who doesn’t love an indoor banana tree and a bathtub in the ping-pong room 🤪    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Tasman ArchRemarkable Cave

    Tasman Peninsula TAS

    April 18, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today we ticked off another bucket list experience as we explored the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. We also checked out the other attractions on the Tasman Peninsula including the Tessellated Pavement, Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and Remarkable Cave. Plus a Lavender Farm and Chocolate Factory for good measure.

    We started our Port Arthur experience with a boat cruise around the Isle of the Dead including some great commentary about the origins of the penal settlement and life of the inmates. Back on shore we made our way around the grounds absorbing the history and reflecting on the horror and tragedy of 28 April 1996.

    The grounds were beautiful and except for the descriptions and accounts of inmates living conditions, Port Arthur could be mistaken for a lovely village in which to spend a few years. We were especially surprised at the size and grandeur of the old church and government residences.

    It was definitely a day of four seasons where we busted out both our ‘Tassie tuxedos’ and rain jackets before shedding them all in favour of t-shirts again.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    MONA TAS

    April 19, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today was a highlight, at least for me, getting our culture fix at MONA - the Museum of Old and New Art.

    But first up, we headed to Jackman & McRoss bakery - an excellent recommendation in the historic Battery Point area of Hobart. Anthony and I tried a famous Tassie scallop pie each, while the boys enjoyed delicious pastries. Lachie ordered a chocolate croissant and was served two (for the price of one) because they said it was a bit small - LOL it was enormous 😋

    With full bellies we boarded the MONA Roma Ferry for a short cruise up the Derwent River to the museum. The ferry itself was part of the experience - including our own DIY ‘posh pit’ riding sheep back on the pauper’s deck.

    Upon arrival, MONA’s mirrored entry is the first clue your senses are in for a wild ride inside. There’s no signage and no natural light in the underground labyrinth. Darkness and disorientation being all part of the experience.

    The museum was equal parts interesting, unsettling, confusing and amusing, especially the signature Cloaca Professional (aka 'the poo machine') and Naughty Wall - the latter being not for the faint-hearted, especially when escorting teenage boys 😆

    Returning from MONA we explored Hobart City Centre before indulging in a superb ‘Sydney to Hobart’ hot and cold seafood platter at the charismatic Drunken Admiral restaurant near Constitution Dock.

    Back at the Carlton house, Dan’s Aurora Australis indicators were going off so we rugged up, braved the cold and headed to the beachfront for a clear view of the southern sky. We caught just a glimpse of colour before retreating to the warmth of our accommodation. Dan returned later in the night (or rather very early the next morning) to capture some magical Aurora action.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Hobart as viewed from our accommodation in Lenah Valley

    Hobart TAS

    April 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today we were up early to explore Hobart’s famous Salamanca Markets. With coffee and pastries in hand we slowly perused the 300+ stalls spruiking everything from produce to pottery, fine arts to food trucks, books to buskers and more. We came away with some earrings, a scarf, a Huon pine pen, some Sea Shepherd t-shirts, an exercise block 😆 and a Tassie Devil garden ornament!

    Leaving the markets we headed up Mt Wellington for an amazing panoramic view over Hobart. We were blessed with sunny skies and clear conditions, even if the ‘feels like’ temperate was a chilly 3 degrees! 🥶

    Next on the agenda we explored the World Heritage-listed Cascades Female Factory which tells the story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls and their contribution to colonisation. Sadly much of the original site has long been destroyed so interpretation through imagination was key.

    After finding our next accommodation in the hills above Hobart, we ended the day with dinner at the Cascades Brewery where Anthony had a tasting paddle and I found Everlasting Happiness 😊    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Tasmanian salmon farms, North Bruny Island

    Bruny Island TAS

    April 21, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Another cracking Tassie day spent exploring beautiful Bruny Island.

    We left Hobart early to catch one of the first ferries from Kettering across to Bruny Island. We had been warned about lengthy queues but at 7:30 am we drove straight on.

    First stop - the Neck where we climbed the 300+ stairs for a panoramic view of the isthmus connecting north and south Bruny Island. We had a quick look along the beach sanctuary for the resident Little Penguins but of course being early morning they were all either hiding or collecting food out at sea.

    Next up - the famous Bruny Baker Bread Fridge, a cute little roadside stall offering freshly baked sourdough and other treats for passers-by. We came away with a super soft pocket loaf, choc coated ANZAC slice and a traditional sourdough cob.

    Moving on we headed to Adventure Bay, the very place where Captain William Bligh (of Mutiny on the Bounty fame) stopped by in 1788. Here we donned oversized red ponchos ready to join Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for an action packed 3-hour adventure boat cruise around the rugged southern coastline of Bruny Island. More on this fabulous experience to come…

    Back on dry land we completed our culinary lap of Bruny Island stopping at the Chocolate Factory, Cheese Co. and Brewery and famous Get Shucked Oysters for some 'fuel for love' 😍

    After a lengthy wait, we eventually made it back onto the ferry across to the mainland where we spent a lazy night at our Hobart accommodation indulging in the various treats acquired throughout the day.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    The MonumentEagle RockBreathing Rock

    Wilderness Adventure Cruise TAS

    April 21, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    What an adventure!

    The highlight of our day on Bruny Island was most definitely our Pennicott Wilderness Journeys adventure boat cruise around the rugged southern coastline.

    We were blessed with the most amazing bluebird day to cruise alongside some of Australia's highest sea cliffs, beneath towering crags and drift up close to listen to (and get sprayed by) the awesome 'Breathing Rock'. Given the sea was so calm we were even able to enter some of the deep sea caves, pass through the narrow gap between the coast and 'The Monument' (twice) and venture out to the point where the Tasman Sea meets the mighty Southern Ocean. We even eyeballed South East Cape, the southernmost tip of Australia - next stop Antartica! Plus we witnessed a colony of seals enjoying the sunny rock shelves.

    It was a fabulous experience - we would definitely recommend it to everyone (who doesn't get seasick).    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Derwent River near New Norfolk
    Queenstown

    Strahan TAS

    April 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Today was an interesting travel day between Hobart and Strahan on the west coast.

    Leaving Hobart we travelled through some beautiful countryside, home to the happiest cows in the world (or so they claim), before happening upon the Surveyor’s Monument marking the geographical centre of Tasmania. We posed for the obligatory photo before moving on.

    At Derwent Bridge (a town aptly named for its bridge over the Derwent River) we stopped to check out The Wall in the Wilderness, one man’s artistic interpretation of Tasmania’s history beautifully hand-carved out of Huon Pine. The carvings included tales from as far back as when the indigenous people inhabited the area, through to the pioneers and modern-day workers of the Hydro-Electric Scheme and forestry industry. They also depicted the environmental plight of the wedge-tail eagle and extinction of the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger). It was pretty impressive. Unfortunately, the policy was no photos so you will have to imagine the 3m high, 100m long wall of carvings - or Google it!

    From Derwent Bridge we headed for the west coast and the port town of Strahan, stopping along the way to complete a couple more of Tassie’s great short walks, including a swing bridge across the Franklin River and the picturesque Nelson Falls.

    After negotiating what is described as 99 bends (but felt like 999 bends) we descended into Queenstown, possibly one of the bleakest towns we've encountered anywhere in Australia and a sad reminder of our capacity as a species to pollute and destroy the planet. The weird denuded landscape was both confronting and disturbing, especially in contrast to the beautiful and densely timbered wilderness we travelled through to get here. It is understood to be the result of a combination of a severe bushfire in 1896 and the pyritic smelting process at the old Mt Lyell Copper Mine, followed by destructive logging and erosion from the heavy west coast rains leaving the hills bare for decades. Thankfully nature has an endless capacity for renewal and current reports are that the trees are finally growing back and the moonscape will be returned to Tasmanian wilderness within our lifetime 🤞🏼

    After finally arriving at our next accommodation at the BIG4 Strahan, we set sail for ‘The Ship that Never Was’, a live and interactive performance by the Round Earth Theatre Company, guest starring yours truly as a parrot! It was a hilariously entertaining true story of the great escape from the notorious Sarah Island by ten convict shipwrights aboard The Frederick, the last ship built at the penal settlement. Amazingly, the production is Australia's longest running play, having just celebrated 30 years of continuous performances in January this year!

    We ended the day with some competitive fun in the communal games room followed by a lazy dinner at the house.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Hells Gates, entrance to Macquarie Harbour
    Entrance Island LighthouseGordon River

    Macquarie Harbour & Gordon River TAS

    April 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Living it up in the Wild West!

    We were extremely fortunate to score another magnificent blue sky day to cruise the waters of Macquarie Harbour from Hells Gates to the notorious ex-convict settlement on Sarah Island and the magnificent world heritage listed Gordon River, all aboard ‘Spirit of the Wild’ operated by Gordon River Cruises. It was a fabulous experience on a sensational purpose-built boat, complete with hybrid electric engines for ‘silent’ cruising down the river.

    In spite of the calm and sunny day, it was easy to see why the deep black waters of Hells Gates and Sarah Island were feared by convicts and free settlers alike. The Gordon River on the other hand was peaceful and serene, thanks to one of the great victories of the environmental movement.

    A highlight of the day was stepping off the boat for a close-up experience of the older-than-time rainforest on an elevated boardwalk through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The guided short walk showcased some of Tassie's endemic flora including the ancient slow growing Huon Pines - once heavily exploited as the best boat building timber in the world, they were nearly wiped out entirely by the 'green gold' logging industry in the early-mid 1900s. Thankfully these magnificent trees are now protected after a consensus that it was neither sustainable nor prudent to cut down trees that were 1000 years old!

    We also disembarked for a guided tour of Sarah Island where we learned of its reputation as a place of unspeakable horrors and a living hell and heard tales about some of its more colourful characters - such as Alexander Pearce, the Cannibal Convict.

    Back in town, Dan, Helen, Anthony and I celebrated our unique time on the west coast with dinner at View 42º Restaurant (sans kids) and a seafood buffet as expansive as the view! The kids had chicken rolls and chaos back at the accommodation - fun all round 😁

    Fun facts: Sarah Island was established in 1822 as a place of 'secondary' punishment in an attempt to control the uncontrollable. Located in the middle of nowhere with no regular water supply and horrendous work conditions, the settlement verged on bureaucratic insanity - so much so that by 1834 the place was abandoned with the convicts moved to the new settlement at Port Arthur.

    In the late 1970s there was an official belief that hydro-electricity would be the economic saviour of the State and with this in mind the Government of the time proposed to dam the Franklin River with a huge dam on the Gordon River 40km upriver from Macquarie Harbour. This prompted some of the most divisive protests in Tasmanian history with more than 1,200 protesters arrested in the summer of 1982/83, before the dam proposal was ultimately overturned by a decision from the High Court in Canberra in 1983. The saga ultimately led to the area being listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Area register, saving the pristine wilderness for generations to come 🙏    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Henty River, North West Tasmania
    1

    Stanley TAS

    April 24, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Today we left the wild west and headed for the civilised northwest and the charming little seaside town of Stanley.

    Unfortunately, The Nutt chairlift wasn’t operating due to high winds. Instead we enjoyed a lovely local produce lunch at the Stanley Hotel before making our way out to Arthur River at the western most point of Tasmania - crowned the 'Edge of the World'. It’s so remote that if you were to set sail and head west, you wouldn’t make landfall until you reached the coast of Argentina some 20,000 km away!

    Our accommodation tonight is the Stanley View Beach House at Cowrie Point. A beautifully scenic cottage right on the water’s edge, complete with a lovely warm outdoor fire place on the deck looking back over The Nutt. Who needs to climb the mountain when you can enjoy happy hour looking at it 😁🍷    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Edge of the World TAS

    April 24, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    On the extreme west coast of an island state of an island continent with nothing but Antarctica further south, we've officially found the Edge of the World!

    It’s a dramatic and evocative, albeit fitting, name for this rugged section of Tasmania's coastline where currents sweep unimpeded more than halfway around the planet via the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean until they hit this point.

    It was fascinating seeing the huge piles of driftwood that littered the beach, including massive bleached tree trunks demonstrating how powerful the storms in this part of the world must be.

    The experience was breathtaking, almost literally, as we opened our car door to the blustering gusts of the infamous Roaring Forties. However once acclimatised with beanies and hoods snuggly in place, we could appreciate the sights, sounds and unsung beauty of this truly wild place. It was definitely a multi-sensory experience.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    1Mount Roland

    Penguin TAS

    April 25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    We enjoyed a slower start this morning before exploring along the beautiful northwest coast towards Penguin, arriving just in time for the ANZAC Day celebrations by the waterfront, including the town mascot Penguin himself dressed in fatigues for the occasion 🐧

    After bumping into Ken & Pat we took their recommendation for coffee and pies at the Penguin Bakery, before Anth and Dan sampled the local brews at the Penguin Beer Co.

    Moving on, we eventually made our way through some more very pretty (and hilly) countryside to our next accommodation at the super cute Cradle Mountain Highlander Cottages, just opposite the Visitor Centre.

    We’re going to need all our warm clothes for our Devil feeding experience tonight. Already at 4 pm it’s a chilly 3 degrees with a ‘feels like’ temp of -5 degrees! 🥶    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    1

    Devils TAS

    April 25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Tonight we braved the cold to witness feeding time at Devils @ Cradle Mountain. It was fantastic even if I did lose feeling in my toes 🥶

    Upon arrival we wandered around the sanctuary admiring the mysterious Devils before joining the after dark feeding experience, showcasing Tasmania’s three largest carnivorous marsupials - including Eastern and Spotted-tail Quolls, all now threatened in one way or another in the wild.

    Throughout the evening, we learned some fascinating insights into the daily operation of the working conservation facility and gained an understanding of the life cycles of the Devils and current threats that confront them, such as Devil Facial Tumour Disease 🙁

    Still undecided whether I'd describe the vaguely bearlike Devils as cute, or perhaps the ugliest marsupials in the country - especially as we watched them bare teeth and growl in a feisty state of rage over having to share a single pademelon hindquarter!

    Quolls on the other hand, definitely cute ☺️    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Enchanted Forest

    Cradle Mountain TAS

    April 26, 2024 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 glow, edging the path in shades of gold.

    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 and posing for the obligatory group photo at the iconic boat shed, we headed back to Ronny Creek where it took us all of a few hundred metres to find a friendly wombat happily grazing right next to the boardwalk!

    Although we’d come to experience the grandeur of the mountain itself, the lower peaks and ridges around the lake created an equally impressive panorama, proving its beauty from all angles and in all conditions.

    We ended our fabulous bucket list day 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.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    Traditional scallop pie1

    Devonport TAS

    April 27, 2024 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 known 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.    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler
    1

    Wangaratta VIC

    April 28, 2024 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 meal at the Masala Corner Indian Restaurant. We knew we were onto 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    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Home Sweet Home

    April 29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We left Wangaratta early this morning for the long and gloriously straight drive home to Sydney. As beautiful as 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 conditions and plenty of roadworks along the Hume Highway, but grateful to be home safely having enjoyed a wonderful time away.

    Only 242 days until our next adventure begins… Stay tuned 😊    Read more

  • McDermotts Travel OzTAS Road Trip 2024Traveler

    Number Crunching

    April 30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Total distance travelled:
    >3,500 km by car
    830 km via sea ferry (Spirit of Tasmania)
    Approx. 125 km by ferry/cruise boat
    22 km by bus (Cradle Mountain shuttle)
    >35 km by foot (officially recorded) Actual count = much more!

    Time away:
    18 days

    States travelled through:
    3 (NSW, VIC, TAS)

    Favourite place:
    North Coast Region & Bay of Fires

    Ultimate highlights:
    Bruny Island adventure boat cruise; Salamanca Markets - Anthony
    MONA; Bruny Island & Gordon River boat cruises - Fiona
    Devils @ Cradle Mountain - Josh
    Bruny Island adventure boat cruise; Devils @ Cradle Mountain - Ryan
    Bruny Island adventure boat cruise; Wombat - Lachlan

    Best accommodation:
    Lazy Waves Beach House, Binnalong Bay & Cradle Mountain Highlander Cottages

    Best Bakery:
    Jackman & McRoss Bakery, Battery Point Hobart

    Best lunch:
    Lobster Shack, Bicheno (TAS seafood platter)

    Best dinners:
    Drunken Admiral, Hobart (Hot & cold TAS seafood platter)
    View 42º Restaurant, Strahan (Seafood buffet)    Read more

    Trip end
    April 29, 2024
  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice