The Gals in Tasmania

Tomorrow Nik and I head off to Tasmania to do the famed Lap of Tasmania for 2 weeks!! We are traveling by campervan 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 Read more

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Trip start
December 28, 2020
The Gals in Tasmania
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Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 9:33 PM
🌙 21 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Australia Narangba Valley -27.17904, 152.9430627°10’45” S 152°56’35” E
Doing last minute packing!!
December 27, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
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Day 1
Monday, December 28, 2020 at 8:13 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Brisbane Airport -27.38833, 153.1227°23’18” S 153°7’12” E
It begins!!! Flight VA702 to Hobart
December 28, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Brisbane Domestic Airport 🙂🙂🙂 I've missed airports so much!!
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 6:47 AM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 240 m
Australia Wayatinah -42.38528, 146.5065542°23’7” S 146°30’24” E
The first leg to Wayatinah Caravan Park
December 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Got to Hobart about 1pm local time. The airport is tiny. Took as a while to get through though as we all had to be temperate tested, answer questions and so forth. Travel during a pandemic right?

Took longer than expected to get ourselves settled and on our way with the van. First stop was Woolworths to stock up on food before driving to our first camp at Wayatinah.

The landscape is hilly and reminds me alot of the areas around Stanthorpe. Getting closer to Wayatinah though it started to look more like the trees around The Great Ocean Road.

Surprisingly there's lots of water, lakes and inlets. We'd come around a bend in the road and there would be a vista of water, with boulders scattered around and greeny yellow grass. And red leaved trees! I want to find out about the red trees.

Another surprise? It doesn't get dark til 9pm. We sat outside the van at 8:30 pm to eat and it was like it would be at 5pm at home. Crazy.

And it's cold. Freezing. (Even Suzie agreed with me on this, so it's not just me feeling the cold.) And yet there are kids running around in tee shirts and shorts. (Aclimitised locals or bonkers? I don't know. But it was nice to see the kids out and being active.) And one of the groundmen said the kids had been swimming most of the day.Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:47 AM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 311 m
Australia Wayatinah -42.37167, 146.5142°22’18” S 146°30’36” E
Wayatinah to Strahun
December 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Woke just after 4. Too flipping cold to get out of the covers to go for a walk like I intended. So watched the sunrise through the window as Suzie slept.

We had a cuppa at the van before continuing our trip. We stopped at Lake Saint Clair visitor centre. Had a quick look and a hot drink but didn't really have time to explore too much. Would have liked to. If we come again have to plan a full day to explore it and walk one of the trails.
A lady at the camp last night told us about 'The Wall' and not too miss it. So glad we took her advice. Was fabulous. You'reot allowed to take photos inside but wow! Carved wooden panels, I can't remember how many, there are but must be 50 or 60 of them. All 1 metre by 3 metres, carved by an amazing artist, telling the story of Tasmania. From aboriginal origins, to convict settlement, the wood getters and farmers. The plants and animals The level of detail carved into the wood was out of the world. Fabric looked like fabric. And veins and muscles . Outstanding.

While here we also shared a nip of Sullivan's Cove whiskey. Got 'best whisky award last year beating even those made in Scotland. $23 for one nip. Wouldn't drink it again but glad I tried it. At the very least it warmed me up. F##k it's cold.

Note to self. Buy thermal shirt, pants, socks and gloves. It's bloody cold. And a good pair of waterproof walking shoes and jacket.

Drive to Queenstown was crazy hilly and bendy. Wanted to check out where our train trip leaves from tomorrow. See the layout as it were. Then to Strahan where we're camped for two nights. Only a hour trip back to Queenstown for tomorrow.Read more
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 747 m
Australia Travellers Rest River -42.125, 146.2483342°7’30” S 146°14’54” E
The Wall, Derwent Bridge
December 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
The Wall is a giant panelled display made entirely of Huon Pine wood. It's simply majestic and such intricate detail. The artist Greg Duncan is an artist of the highest order. No photos inside but there are postcardsRead more
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Day 2
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 8:09 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia War Memorial Park -42.15333, 145.3183342°9’12” S 145°19’6” E
Strahan
December 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Tonight we we went for a sunset walk along the Strahan Esplanade 💜💜💜
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 8:00 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 140 m
Australia Queenstown Airport -42.08, 145.55542°4’48” S 145°33’18” E
Wilderness Railway - Queenstown
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We were up and at em at 5:15am and on the road by 6:45am. Back to Queenstown for our heritage train trip on an abt train track. Sitting in the carriage at 8:45am with a glass of champagne. Cause why not. YOLO.

First stop on on train trip is Lynchford. Here we were able to try our hand at panning for gold. Water was freezing.

Second stop ,Rinadeena, meaning little raindrops in the local aboriginal dialect. Others just call it 'rain indeed' as they get 3 metres of rain a year. The train uses 3000 litres of water to get to the top of the mountain.

The railway was built entirely by pickaxe and shovel, with material being carted out by wheelbarrow. No dinamite was used. It took 500 men 2 and a half years. With only 4 causalities due to accident during the construction. How many due to illness is anyone's guess.

We stopped the train at King River George for photos. We could see people on the river in rafts. I'd like to see the forest from that angle. The trees and undergrowth are so thick. It feels ancient, with moss covering everything.

Then on to Dubbil Barril where the train turned to take us back to Queenstown. We're able to do a little walk through the ancient trees. Stunning

"Find a way, or make a way.". This was the motto of the early settlers in the area. Would have been such a hard life.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 8:07 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 134 m
Australia Queenstown Airport -42.08, 145.5533342°4’48” S 145°33’12” E
Queenstown Railway Station
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We are currently in Queenstown on the West Coast Wilderness Railway!!! We will be travelling on a ABT Rack and Pinion from Queenstown to Dubbill Barrill station and back again to Queenstown. We are also in the Wilderness Carriage with champagne and yummies!!! I have been looking forward to this for such a long time!!!! 🙂💜💜💜Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:25 AM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 243 m
Australia West Coast -42.15333, 145.49542°9’12” S 145°29’42” E
Rinadeena Station
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
The station that's at the end of (or the start of, depending on direction!) the steepest train hill climb in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 11:45 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Australia Starling Creek -42.18333, 145.4833342°10’60” S 145°28’60” E
Wilderness Railway - Queenstown (photos
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Because we sprung for the more Expy carriage we were fed so well on our trip.

Champagne on arrival. Chickpea patties with bestroot dip for nibbles, then a scone with blackberry jam. Pumpkin soup with cheese and garlic bread, then some vanilla ice cream for desert. We also had hot chocolates. Yummo.Read more
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 4:15 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Australia War Memorial Park -42.15333, 145.3166742°9’12” S 145°19’0” E
West Strahan Beach
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
A beautiful beach very close to where we are staying. The water is stained brown, I thought it from tea tree, Nik reckons mining. The water was lovely, Nik says freezing!!!
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Day 3
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 5:09 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia War Memorial Park -42.15276, 145.3176442°9’10” S 145°19’4” E
Lynchford Station
December 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
This was the first stop off on our trip to Dubbill Barrill station 🙂🙂🙂 Today we planned for gold (didn't find any!) and the water was chilly and it's summer!! Imagine it in winter!!
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Day 4
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 1:54 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 929 m
Australia Lake Lilla -41.65, 145.9616741°39’0” S 145°57’42” E
Glacier Rock, Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain
December 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
This lake was carved from a glacier 20,000 years ago. The only sounds are from people, the wind, lapping water of the lake and birds. It's breathtaking
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Day 4
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 2:01 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 929 m
Australia Lake Lilla -41.65, 145.9616741°39’0” S 145°57’42” E
Cradle Mountain
December 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Slower start to this morning. Quiet breakfast at the van and getting settled got our drive to Cradle Mountain.

l almost fell asleep in the van as we were traveling along today. The rocking of the van almost rocking me to sleep. Managed to stay awake to keep Suzie company through.

I don't know what I expected at Cradle Mountain exactly except lots of walking. And it is that...but it's more too. I had read the walk to Dove Lake was 2 to 3 hours so didn't expect to actually see it, thought we'd just do one of the shorter walks. Turns out the 2 to 3 hours is how long it takes to walk AROUND the lake. It's only about a 20 minute walk from the bottom bus stop to Glacier Rock which has great views of Dove Lake. It's just ruggedly beautiful. The colours astonishing. We did the Enchanted walk too...saw a wallaby napping in the undergrowth. The difference in the flora between the two walks...one at the top, one at the bottom, is crazy. Both beautiful in there own ways.

We're camped tonight at a grounds litterly across the road from the visitor centre. Serene is the best word for it. Last night's camp at Strahan, and the one at Wayatinah had kids running around and playing til 9pm. Here it's just quiet with the sounds of nature. The camp kitchen has a two way fireplace. which I sat at for a while crocheting.

Again...wish we had more time here. I'd like to explore cradle mountain more. Do the walk around Dove Lake and Creator Lake too. Maybe more. There's just not enough time.Read more
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Day 4
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 3:17 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 807 m
Australia Pencil Pine Creek -41.59833, 145.92541°35’54” S 145°55’30” E
Enchanted Walk, Cradle Mountain National
December 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
This is such a beautiful little walk 🥰🥰🥰 Dappled sunlight and moss covered trees
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Day 4
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 5:12 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 871 m
Australia Kentish -41.57833, 145.93541°34’42” S 145°56’6” E
Cradle Mountain Discovery Park
December 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
I just had to share this place!! Nestled in ancient forest, this is the perfect place to stay after a big day!!!
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Day 4
Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 5:56 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 867 m
Australia Kentish -41.57887, 145.934841°34’44” S 145°56’5” E
Europa the Eurovision Van!!
December 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Behold!!! May I present Europa, the Eurovision Van!! She is pretty awesome and has provided shelter, food storage, entertainment, transportation and the best night sleeps I've had in a van 🙂🙂🙂 And when else am I going to drive a Fiat?!Read more
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Day 5
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 2:25 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 143 m
Australia Circular Head -40.76167, 145.3016740°45’42” S 145°18’6” E
The Nut, Stanley
January 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
This is the plug of an extinct volcano and we are 143m from the ground!! A plug is formed when the magma hardens in the volcanic vent and over time the outside of the volcano erodes and the plug is left.

Now I have walked around on two plugs, the first being Edinburgh Castle as the Castle was also built on one!!Read more
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Day 5
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 6:17 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Australia Lee Park -40.84059, 145.1097840°50’26” S 145°6’35” E
Smithton
January 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Our digs for the night on the gorgeous Duck River 🙂🙂🙂 It's really windy and there's a nip in the air!! I love it!!!
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Day 5
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 8:39 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Australia Lee Park -40.84072, 145.1098140°50’27” S 145°6’35” E
Stanley and Smithton
January 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Walking back to the van this morning heard a russle in the underbrush. Thought it would just be a lizard. Was a... pademelon...I think...might have been a wallaby. Managed to get Suzie to get some photos as I didn't have my phone on me. Super cute, and not bothered by our presents at all

Long drive to The Nut at Stanley. Caught the chair lift up. Beautiful scenery. Very windy. Learnt about the moonbirds and a little about the Aboriginal people of the area. (And the terrible things the settlers did to them.) Fuck the Europeans were horrible.

Then the drive to Smithton where we're camped tonight. Lovely spot on the river. A family of ducks came to visit us at the van. Begging for food I think. Bought homemade blackberry jam from the caravan reception. One for us...one for Mum and Dad.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 9:25 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Max Perry Reserve -41.11333, 146.0733341°6’48” S 146°4’24” E
Penguin, Tasmania
January 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
I've just ticked off a bucket list item!! I have now swum on both sides of Bass Strait at Penguin 💜💜💜💜 I'm sure Nik will post soon!!

Penguin is such a beautiful little seaside town. I feel happy here. We have chatted to the locals, patted dogs and taken heaps of penguin pics, just the standing still kind!!! And it even has a TARDIS!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 6:10 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Australia Sandy Beach -41.14466, 146.8075241°8’41” S 146°48’27” E
Smithton to Beauty Point - via Penguin
January 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Early start this morning cause there was lots we want to do today. (But we didn't get to do it.) Left campsite just before 7:30am.

We were aiming for Doctor Rocks first off but ended up skipping it as it was down what appeared to be a long unsealed road.

Instead our first stop was a little town called Penguin where the Fairy Penguins migrate to each year. (We're hoping to see penguins at some point but unsure if we're going to fit it in. ) We stopped for a photo at The Big Penguin though and ducked into the visitor centre for some souvenirs.

Suzie, crazy thing she is, went for a quick swim. It was 14 degrees. She crazy.

The town of Penguin is super cute though.

Then on to House of Anvers, a chocolate factory and cafe where we stopped for lunch. The children's roses out the front smell amazing. Would love to bottle it. The non alcoholic apple cidar Suzie had was out of this world. I had falafel tacos, then a tasting plate with 5 mini cakes and a hot chocolate. Soooo full. Then of cause I spent a little over $100 on chocolate. I can't believe I did that. 😳🤭

We didn't get to do some of the things we hoped to do today. Hope to get them done tomorrow. (Seahorse World, Platypus House and Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre)

Would like to see the Fairy Penguins too. We can do it tonight or tomorrow night at 9pm at a place about 45 minutes drive from our camp. Would make it an extra long day. I doubt we will fit it in, which is a bit disappointing. We'll see I guess. Can't do everything.Read more
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Day 6
Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 6:59 PM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Australia Sandy Beach -41.145, 146.8066741°8’42” S 146°48’24” E
Beauty Point
January 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
This inlet village is adorable! Our location is right on the River Tamar and our neighbours are lovely 💜 I'm so glad we have a couple of nights here...I'm feeling like I'm on a boat from the bouncing around of Europa on the road!!Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 10:50 AM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Max Harris Memorial Reserve -41.10333, 146.82541°6’12” S 146°49’30” E
Seahorse World and Monotreme Magic
January 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
As you saw on Nik's post, I got to hold a seahorse today!! My post here has Nik holding the seahorse. I saw some amazing Aussie creatures and interacted with an echidna 💜💜💜
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Day 7
Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 1:01 PM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 58 m
Australia Jubilee Park -41.20167, 146.81541°12’6” S 146°48’54” E
Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre
January 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
We also went to the Beaconsfield Mine where gold. The mine opened in 1877 when gold was found at nearby Cabbage Tree Hill, sparking a gold rush. The mine shafts (the Grubb and Hart Shafts) were sunk to access the gold - some 26 tonnes of gold was mined between 1877 and when the mine closed in 1914 due to water problems. Beaconsfield was once the 3rd largest town in Tasmania and was once called Brandy Creek.

The mine was reopened in 1999 and again made worldwide news on the 25th April 2006 when three miners (Brant Webb, Todd Russell and Larry Knight) were trapped underground from a rock fall for two weeks, with Larry sadly not making it. It was called The Beaconsfield Mine Disaster.

The mine closed in 2012.

I went into the 'monkey cage' where the men were put into to bring them up to the surface after their rescue. It was eerie.

There were so many items from Beaconsfield and surrounding areas history, eg the ruins of the shafts, old tractors, a miners humpy, medical items, old telephones, even a huge water wheel to separate the ore from the gold.

It was fascinating and well worth the $16Read more
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