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Erol Down under
  • Erol Bilginoglu
  • Erol Bilginoglu

Erol Down under

An open-ended adventure by Erol Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 16, 2025
  • Erol BilginogluErol Down underErol Bilginoglu
    1

    Bruny Island

    May 19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Bruny Island Gourmet & Lighthouse Tour – A Day of Tastes, Curves, and Wallabies
    May 18, 2025 – Hobart, Tasmania

    We kicked off bright and early at 7 a.m., hopping on a little Toyota Hiace minibus with our guide and a cheerful group of ten. Destination: Bruny Island – the promise of food, scenery, and a legendary lighthouse!

    Our first pause came while waiting for the ferry. Coffee in hand, we soaked in the peaceful views across the bay – calm waters separating Tasmania’s mainland from Bruny Island. The ferry crossing itself was short and sweet, just 15 minutes over the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

    Before reaching the beach for our first tasting, we stopped at one of the island’s most iconic viewpoints: The Neck. It’s a narrow isthmus connecting North and South Bruny with panoramic views over both sides – sea, sand, and wild bushland in one breathtaking sweep.

    Next stop: Resolution Bay Beach. Here, with the waves in the background, we kicked off our first gourmet tasting – freshly shucked oysters from the local shack, paired with a trio of Bruny Island cheeses and warm baguette. Not a bad way to start the day!

    Then – a real treat: we spotted one of Bruny’s rare white wallabies! They’re not albino but a local genetic variation, and absolutely adorable.

    The island drive continued – scenic but winding. Too winding, in fact. Motion sickness kicked in for a few of us (me included), and I was unsure about climbing the famous lighthouse. Thankfully, a kind co-traveller offered me a Kwells travel tablet. Within 20 minutes – back on my feet and climbing those lighthouse steps with a view over the endless ocean. Highly recommend the Kwells if you’re sensitive to motion like me.

    We paused for lunch at the Bruny Island Hotel, a laid-back spot with great food – fish and chips hit the spot. From there, two more stops: a local chocolate & fudge place (fun to try, but a bit too sweet for my taste – Europeans, you’ll know what I mean), and a honey tasting, which was honestly lovely. Smooth, fragrant, and a perfect end note.

    Final thoughts?
    It was a beautifully curated day with some truly great tastings and scenery – but personally, it was too much bus, not enough walking. If you love riding around and sampling food with short scenic stops, this is for you. If you’re more into active exploration – maybe pick a different way to experience Bruny.    Read more

  • Erol BilginogluErol Down underErol Bilginoglu
    1

    Tasmanian Giants, Devils & Views

    May 20, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    After a rather car-heavy Bruny day, I was ready for more fresh air and movement – and the Mount Field National Park & Wildlife Tour delivered exactly that.

    We started from Hobart’s tourist office, hopping on a comfy minibus with our guide Dave – a walking encyclopedia of Tasmanian history, nature, and fun facts. He might’ve gone into information overdrive at times, but if you listened closely, you learned a ton. And I got lucky 🍀 I sat right behind the driver, where you get the best views over the road.

    The early morning fog still covered the city and parts of Mount Wellington – the sun slowly slicing through made for some magical first photos. Before reaching the park, we made a quick sandwich stop for lunch-on-the-go.

    At Mount Field, we set off on the Big Circle Walk – about 2.5 hours of forest bliss, with a few hundred stairs for good measure. Totally worth the sweat: lush greenery, mossy rainforest paths, and some of the tallest trees on Earth. These giants – mainly swamp gums – can reach up to 80 meters here, with some Tasmanian trees exceeding 100 meters elsewhere. Fun fact: only California’s redwoods grow taller!

    The trail winds through two ecosystems – a cool-temperate rainforest (rare outside the tropics!) and more open mixed forest. Fascinating to see the contrast – especially the bark differences: some trees shed theirs entirely, while others wear it top-to-root. And yes, eucalyptus oil = flammable, so bushfires are sadly common.

    After our hike and a relaxing lunch break, we headed to a wildlife sanctuary. There we met some grumpy teen wombats (yes, puberty hits hard – they bite and scratch to get kicked out by mum), charming Tasmanian devils, and of course, the star kangaroos. Completely tame, totally food-obsessed, and big fans of belly rubs.

    The day ended on a high – literally – with a scenic drive up Mount Wellington. We got super lucky with the weather: clear skies and a breathtaking panoramic view over Hobart, the River Derwent, and beyond. The perfect farewell to Tasmania’s wild beauty.    Read more

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    Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

    May 21, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Before saying farewell to Tasmania, I squeezed in one last little gem: a visit to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) – and I’m so glad I did.

    Like many national museums in Australia, TMAG is completely free (yes, free!) and very well curated. It’s the kind of place where you pop in “just for an hour” and suddenly find yourself wandering from gallery to gallery, wide-eyed.

    The museum blends Aboriginal culture, wildlife, natural history, and some quirky contemporary art – including an exhibit where tiny bugs from around the world are arranged into actual artwork. Creepy? A little. Fascinating? Absolutely.

    From long-extinct marsupials to Tasmania’s current furry residents, there’s a bit of everything – and it’s told in a way that’s engaging, not textbook-boring. A perfect mix of education and enjoyment.

    After this inspiring morning, I headed off to Hobart International Airport for my Qantas flight to Melbourne, feeling like I’d added just the right touch of Tasmanian culture to round off the trip.

    Final verdict? If you’re in Hobart, even for a few hours – don’t skip TMAG. Great for curious minds, art lovers, and even bug enthusiasts 🐞🪲🐞🪲    Read more

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    First Day in Melbourne – Catching Up & C

    May 22, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Arrived in Melbourne and couldn’t have wished for a better start: a beautiful catch-up day with Caro!

    We met for lunch at the Builders Arms Hotel in Fitzroy – such a great spot with relaxed vibes, good food, and the perfect setting to dive into stories and laughter. Nothing beats reconnecting over great conversation and even better company.

    After lunch, we wandered through the city – from the creative corners of Fitzroy to the historic heart of Melbourne. Stunning buildings, elegant arcades, and the classic Melbourne mix of charm and character at every turn. No rush, just exploring and enjoying the moment.

    Thanks, Caro, for making my first day here so special. What a lovely way to kick off this part of the trip! 🧡    Read more

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    Friday in Melbourne – 25 Years in the Ma

    May 23, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After almost 25 years since we first got to know each other while studying abroad, I finally made it to see Hannah in Melbourne – something I’d always meant to do, but somehow… it took me a quarter of a century. We’ve met in between over the years, but visiting her in Australia had been on my list for way too long. And what a day it turned out to be.

    I got to meet her wonderful partner Matt, their sweet dog Olive, and Matt’s hilarious-looking but completely lovable cat, who totally stole my heart with its oddball charm and gentle soul.

    We set off from Port Melbourne, cruising down the coast to check out some iconic spots: the colourful bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, followed by a coffee and cake stop near the nostalgic Luna Park – the perfect little break before our evening adventures.

    Later, we picked up Matt and headed into Fitzroy to kick off the night. First drink was at Naked for Satan, where the rooftop views at sunset were just magic. We kept the evening rolling with another bar stop where we met Hannah’s brother Sam and his partner, and then moved on to another lively Fitzroy hangout – name forgotten, fun not.

    Dinner was at little Japanese Izakaya spot where we enjoyed some delicious dishes. The perfect night ended with a scoop of what might honestly be the best pistachio sorbet I’ve ever had – milk-free, rich, and pure joy in a cone.

    Melbourne, Fitzroy, and old friends – it was worth the wait!    Read more

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