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  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 16

    Port Arthur Historic Site-Part 2

    March 6, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    From the Penitentiary we made our way towards the dock for the harbour cruise, which is included as part of the admission to the site. Lindsay went off to get some lunch so Millie and I paid a visit to what is now a memorial garden and ruins of the old cafe where the last atrocities against human life occured on the site in April 1996. It was a very peaceful and reflective place of rememberance.
    After we had a little lunch, we got to the docks in time for our 1pm cruise on the harbour, where we got a passing look at Point Puer, the prison for boys 9-18 years of age and the Isle of the Dead where over 1100 people, convicts and free people are buried. It had an interesting commentary about the Historic Site.
    Once finished, we checked out the dry dock, slipway and lime kiln parts of the site, which was fairly isolated from the colony proper. We also already knew a little of what went on there from a little of the tour at Macquarie Harbour and Sarah Island. It was also interesting that where I walked to last night was almost to this point.
    Having checked out the Convict and Working parts of the site, we then moved up the hill through the Governors gardens to the Carnarvon Township which is the town tied to the Historic site. This is where the families of those who worked at the penal colony lived, and we looked through the remnants of the Governors Cottage, the old church, the new church, the parsonage and post office and the houses that belonged to a number of the families of the staff at the gaol.
    We finished off our tour with the Separate Prison and the Asylum, the former of which appears to be not unlike a lot of the Gaols of today, individual cells, workout yard, high fences. This was based a lot on the idea of psychological punishment as a greater deterrent than physical punishment.
    The asylum had various different lives, from a facility for the mentally disturbed, schoolhouse and dance hall and now a museum of artefacts found throughout the historic site.
    We had all done a lot of walking around the historic site, especially for Millie, so she had done very well.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 16

    Port Arthur Historic Site-Part 1

    March 6, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today is the day we did the biggest thing at Port Arthur. We headed to the Historic Site, where the old Port Arthur penal settlement existed. Much of it is receiving significant restoration and work to ensure its continued tourism.
    While we waited for the introductory tour, we looked through the gallery and an exhibition about the colony and people who were there.
    When we got our tickets we were given playing cards featuring the images of convicts and civilians who were at the penal settlement, and part of the tour involved trying to find the story of the person on the card. By the end of the day, Millie was disappointed that she couldn't find the man on Daddy's card, but we did find the story in the gallery of the people on each of our cards.
    After the introductory tour we were left to make our own way around the site. Though the tour guide referred to fire that destroyed much of the timber structure of the site in the late 1800s, but it wasn't until much later that we were able to fill in that story.
    For our own tour we started with the Paupers Depot and Hospital, on to the Guard Tower and Officers Quarters and then to the Commandant's Residence.
    The residence has been well restored and there is a lot to see there, down to an interesting style of wallpaper used throughout the residence, and Millie liked the Grandfather clock in the entry.
    We then moved on to the main Penitentiary which has a lot of incredible history, from the types of inn mates who were housed there, the type of living conditions they endured and how the different types of crimes and their behaviour would determine the luxuries and the liberties they were given while incarcerated.
    Next post, more of the Port Arthur Historic Site.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 15

    Port Arthur sights

    March 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We had a later start to today as it was a day at least we weren't having to check out and move on.
    As we were heading to check out some of the sights around Port Arthur, some Green Rosella's decided to pay us a visit. They are obviously used to being hand fed. Millie enjoyed being able to feed them by hand, but didn't like the idea of them sitting on her... she did though think it funny when one landed on my shoulder.
    After feeding the birds we headed to Eaglehawk Neck and Tasman Bay National Park Lookout. Here we had a coffee and hot chocolate.
    Then we made our way down to the Tesselated Pavement. Incredible how straight the lines are and how unnatural they look, but they are a completely natural occurrence.
    We then drove through Doo Town, where everything is a play on the use of the word Doo, from the names of properties to the names of businesses. Lunch at Doo-licious Seafood (fresh fish and chips) and a walk to check out the Port Arthur Blow Hole and Fossil Cliffs. Millie really enjoyed singing "the ants go marching"... a little too much.
    Then we checked out the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen... again amazing how the natural structures of these 3 landmarks are formed, and how each is a version of the other, but with several million years between each; the Blowhole, the Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen being like the child, the parent and the grandparent.
    Today was a lot of visiting different locations around Port Arthur, as you could no doubt guess. We then moved on to the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry, where Millie saw a pirate! He even had a chest with some treasure in it! Though the most amusing part for Millie was that he had a magpie on his shoulder!
    Then on to another lavender farm, where we had some lavender tea and lavender whisky... it is a thing and really does taste good... if very purple!
    Finally we got some supplies for a BBQ dinner and headed back to our accommodation. Millie got to play on the park while I did a load of washing and Lindsay went for a walk... then I got to go for a walk, after dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 14

    Spiky Bridge to Port Arthur

    March 4, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After Spiky Bridge we continued down the Tasman Highway to Kelvedon Beach. Last night Millie had a melt down and wanted to go home, so we had already decided to stop at a beach so she could have a little play in the sand and surf. The surf wasn't too bad as the whole bay, though quite large and open to the seas, is fairly sheltered so she had a play and we found a lot of scallop shells and small conch shells for Millie to add to her collection. Once she got that out of her system and the smell of rotting seaweed got the better of us all, we got back in the car.
    We were planning to get lunch and petrol in Triabunna.. only one of those was practical as the petrol station we were planning visit was closed.
    So we continued on after lunch and the GPS said to take a certain road that became an unsealed road. OK we thought we could manage it and then 7km along there was a sign saying the road was suitable for 4WD vehicles only... stupid GPS, so we headed back and took the long way round (via Buckland (for petrol), Runnymede, Sorell Nd Copping) which ended up being the scenic route anyway... but again, the number of Tasmanian deiver who cut corners and narrow roads... I am beginning to hate driving here!
    We finally arrived at Port Arthur about 5pm and check into our very nice, modern and tidy cabin before heading to Fox and Hounds, Port Arthur for dinner.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 14

    Coles Bay to the Spiky Bridge

    March 4, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Just for something different today, we got up, packed the car and hit the road, after breakfast and checking out of the Big 4 at Cole Bay. We drove about half an hour up the road and decided on impulse to stop in at Devils Corner Winery. They had a nice outlook, and it was a lovely place to have a tasting. We stayed about half an hour before we took to the road again for Kate's Berry Farm, just outside of Swansea. Nestled in between 2 hillsides, the farm produces a lot of berry based products, including chocolate coated delights, preserves, wines and other products. We had a piece of Huddleberry Pie and tea, and then continued driving.
    We knew that just after Swansea there is a Convict Buit stone bridge called Spiky Bridge so we were on the look out for that to stop and have a look. When we got there, Millie decided she didn't want to get out, so she stayed in the car while Lindsay and I checked it out. It was more of a dam than a bridge, but it sure was spiky!    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 13

    White Sands to Coles Bay

    March 3, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After packing the car the night before we were able to sleep in a little bit. Or so we thought. The sunrise this morning was so nice we got up and watched the end of it at 7am (see the photos). We packed the last of our stuff and hit the road by about 9.30.
    We arrived at Bicheno just after 10 to have some breakfast and then went and checked out the Bicheno Blow Hole, which was pretty good. I am not sure how it compares to normal, but the seas seemed pretty rough, so I can only assume it is bigger than normal.
    We then went to a place called The Farm Shed: East Coast Wine Center where we did some tastings of several wineries and distilleries that don't have cellar doors and generally only do small batch wines and spirits... and we ended up spending a bit of money there too... at least we will be set for spirits for the next few years.
    When finished there and with wallet burning, we headed for Coles Bay and checked into our next stop, had a late lunch and then I went for a walk along the rocks around towards the harbour at Coles Bay.
    It is pretty spectacular the scenery here and if we had more time I would have looked into doing some longer walks in the Freycinet National Park as there appear to be some stunning walks that also overlook Wineglass Bay. As it is we are only staying 1 night to break up the drive to Port Arthur tomorrow.
    Dinner and a whisky on the porch as the sun went down and a seemingly nice clear night. I may take the camera down to the beach tonight.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 12

    Relaxing day at White Sands & Iron House

    March 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Today was a chilled day at White Sands, and really what a honeymoon and holiday should be about.
    We slept late, and when we finally got up, headed to check out the facilities available at the White Sands resort. We checked out the huge swimming pool they have available as well as the games room and Cinema facilities provided to the guests. It really is an excellent facility they have here on the grounds.
    One of the other facilities they have here is the winery, distillery and brewery for Iron House. We went into the tasting room and tasted some very nice whiskey's, wines & beers that are produced by Iron House. It ended up being a nice lunch of drinking while Millie played in the play room they have there for children.
    We were planning to take Millie to the cinema for a 2.00 movie but she really wanted to go for a swim instead so we swam for about 45 minutes before it started raining and we went back to our room so we didn't get to wet.
    We spent the afternoon resting and recovering from our tastings...
    It looks like it is going to be another rainy night. Tomorrow on to Coles Bay.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 11

    St Helens to White Sands

    March 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    We stopped for afternoon tea in St Helens to re-evaluate what we were going to do this afternoon. The weather was pretty horrible and looking to get worse as the afternoon went on, and then we discovered there was no internet in the entire state due to 2 of the 3 cables to the Australian mainland supplying internet and voice services being damaged or cut. We decided to continue on to White Sands Resort and got settled in to our villa here before the weather really did take a turn.
    But the accomodation in White Sands is great. Very comfortable.
    The more we drive around Tasmania the more we think, the drivers here are terrible. They drive in the middle of the road, cut corners and are just downright inconsiderate. This coupled with the narrow and windy road in places has made driving here a but hairy. But we are still having a great time and looking forward to 2 nights at White Sands.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 11

    Leaving Low Head for White Sands

    March 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We got to have a little bit of a rest in this morning before having to get moving to check out after a 1 night stay at Low Head.
    The rain that started at about 9.30 last night continued quite heavily throughout the night, but eased off in the morning to occasional light showers.
    We stopped to get some supplies in George Town on our way passed, then headed inland.
    We impulsively decided to stop at Bay of Fires Winery at Pipers River, but this was closed and opens only by appointment, so we carried on to Bridestowe Lavender Estate.
    Here we had some morning tea, and had a look at the estate for about an hour before getting back on the road.
    The run from there to St. Helens was slow going. The road was very up and down and very narrow, so it was very slow going.
    When we were about 10 mins out of St Helens we found The Shop in the Bush which was an antique and old wares store, just on the side of the highway. We looked here for about 20 mins before heading into St Helens by about 2.30pm.    Read more

  • TravelerTasmanian Familymoon
    Day 10

    Low Head Penguin Tour

    February 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    We arrived at Low Head Tourist Park about 4.30 and got settled into our accommodation for the night. We went via the Batman Bridge, which was built in the 1960s to make it easier to get across the River Tamar than having to go all the way back to Launceston or to rely on a ferry service. It was an interesting bridge.
    After we got settled we had some dinner then got ready and went to the night time Low Head Penguin Tour. Here we heard a lot about the Ferry Penguins who have nests in and round the dunes in Low Head. They are incredible creatures of habit who follow the exact same routines every night, the same paths or tracks, the same practices of going out to get food during the day, back during darkness, following the same predictable patterns of behaviour, so much so that the guides are able to tell when things are going to happen, in what order and such.
    The tour ended just as it was starting to rain and it ended up being such a late night for Millie that she was asleep before we had even left the carpark, which is really saying something for her.
    When we did get back to the cabin the skies opened up.    Read more

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