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Australia 2020
  • Nick Stretton
  • Alison Stretton
Feb – Mac 2020

Australia 2020

Pengembaraan 38hari oleh Nick & Alison Baca lagi
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  • Australia 2020

    Melbourne Arcades and River

    22 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    A beautiful day to day so we decided to do a self guided walking tour of Melbournes Lanes and Arcades. Starting at Flinders Street Station under the clock we went via Degraves Street and its restaurants to Block Arcade and then on to Royal Arcade the latter built in 1869 is Australias oldest. This includes a clock featuring Gog and Magog two gods of the ancient Britons that have chimed on the hour since 1892. Stopped for a beer at Young and Jackson a hotel that has been in existence for over a century. We then took a boat trip out to the docks giving a different sense of the city. Melbourne is much bigger than I expected and continuing to grow and develop. Yet it retains a chilled vibe with a relaxed atmosphere and a food culture that is hard to beat. Lisa and Dave arrived around 5.30. We decided to eat in the same place we ate on our first day. Had another enjoyable meal. Not too late to bed as we have a full day tomorrow and the overnight ferry to Tasmania.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Melbourne to Tasmania

    23 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Woke up to blue skies. Packed up and checked out and spent the morning browsing Queen Victoria Market. This is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere covering some 7 hectares and dates back to the 19th century. The outstanding feature is the food area. Food of every type, fresh, local and beautifully displayed. Unfortunately we couldn't take any with us as we are not able to take any fresh produce into Tasmania. Had another amazing meal in Super Normal. Sunday lunch Pan Asian style which included some amazing Lobster rolls, Lisa's favourite. Walked off the meal with a stroll to the Botanical Gardens and sat in the shade for a while before making our way to the ferry. The ferry was very comfortable. We sat and had a beer as Melbourne disappeared behind us. We had very nice cabins for the 10 hr trip across the Cook Strait and Tasman Sea. Even managed to get some sleep with the prospect of a 4.45 am alarm call.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Devonport to Launceston

    24 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Yes we are still in Oz, however the place names and perhaps the weather have a familiar ring. We were awoken at 4.45am for a 5.30am disembarkation. We drove through the dark and misty morning to our first stop Launceston (lorn-sess-tern) the second largest town in Tasmania. We arrived just as the bakery's were opening and found a good one called Sweetbrew for some much needed caffeine and some breakfast. We were too early to get into our apartment so we went straight to the main attraction in Launceston, Cataract Gorge. This is a river gorge found at the lower section of the south River Esk. The gorge consists of walks, boat rides, picnic areas and the longest single span chair lift in the world. Had a walk round and met some of the local inhabitants, Peacocks roaming freely around. We got access to the apartment and then went for lunch at a harbourside restaurant called Rufus and Hound where we had great scallops. Did some food shopping and settled down for a quiet night in with a bottle or two from the Pinot Shop situated conveniently below our accommodation.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Freycinet, Coles Bay

    25 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Left Launceston for a 2hr drive to Coles Bay. Drove through some beautiful countryside and arrived at stunning Coles Bay with its dramatic mountain backdrop set in the Freycinet National Park near Swansea (yes really) and close to a number of wineries which I am looking forward to visiting. We had lunch in the small high street and then on to our accommodation. A fantastic property with fig, lemon and pear trees in the garden and the most amazing view from the balcony overlooking the bay. A brilliant base for the next few days.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Coles Bay, Vineyards and Mussels

    26 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Very overcast and wet this morning. Typical Tasmania, one minute sunny and warm the next cold and wet. Had a lazy morning and caught up with my blog. Everything's a bit slow here including the Internet just like the Aussie Lifestyle. Weather cleared up by 2.00pm so we set off to explore some food and wine. First we went to the Oyster Farm and bought some fresh oysters, sashimi salmon and some very large mussels. Then off to the vineyards for some tastings and lunch. Several of them were closed as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be their weekends. Craigie Knowe was closed completely, Milton was open for tastings but we were not that impressed so we ended up at Springvale. The restaurant was about to close but they stayed open for us and Dave and I went for a tasting. The wine was excellent so we both bought a couple of bottles for our meal tonight. We finished with a walk around the shoreline nearby and a pint in the local pub. I also bought some fresh fish to do fish and chips at home to go with the seafood we bought earlier. Had a lovely meal at home, starter of Sushimi Salmon with wasabi and soy sauce, mussels cooked in white wine garlic and cream with crusty bread and home made fish and chips. Tried quite a bit of the wine and fell in to bed very satisfied.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Freycinet National Park

    27 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Oh dear, slightly over did it last night so wont be doing much today. Ali, Lisa and Dave seem OK so I will hand blogging over to Ali for today, night night!
    Lisa packed a picnic for our walk to see the view of Wineglass Bay. It was quite a climb but it was really worth it. Remote white sandy beach and turquoise water. Such unspoilt beauty and stunning landscape. After a few photos we climbed down to a beach and sat on a rock, a perfect picnic spot. We watched as a wallaby wandered onto the beach and a baby Albatross landed nearby. We relaxed and enjoyed the sun then took a walk along the beach. Nick joined us later for a drive out to some other lookouts including Sleepy Beach and a Lighthouse, the sea stretching out in front of us where the next land you would come across would be New Zealand.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Coles Bay to Hobart

    28 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Got ourselves ready to go and had a coffee looking out over the bay for the last time. Started our 2hr drive to Hobart and made some stops on the way. Firstly Swansea a very pretty town with great views across the bay back to where we had come from. A quick stop at a berry farm from where we went to Richmond. An historic town, quite touristy but served the best curried scallop pies. Got an ice cream and walked down to the river to look at the ducks, quite an English scene. After a quick visit to the Lavender Shop we made our way to the cheese shop. More a cheese experience really. The Wicked Cheese Co make all their cheeses on site and after some extensive tasting we bought some for later consumption. Then on to Hobart. The increased traffic signaled our arrival in the Tasmanian capital and we found our way to our accommodation conveniently located in the CPD. The entry key pad didn't work so after a few calls the Locksmith turned up. His solution was to climb over the gate and open it from the inside which he did with a leg up from me. He then proceeded to "mend" the lock with some chewing gum provided by Lisa. The apartment is a good size with exposed brickwork and very well equipped. We settled in and then went out to Streeteats. This is an outdoor mini festival which takes place every friday in the summer in Franklin Park. Live music and a wide selection of street food freshly prepared as you wait. We went home via the Sydney Hotel, an Irish themed pub for a night cap before calling it a day.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Sallamanca Market

    29 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Another nice day, expecting temperatures around 24 degrees. Sallamanca Market is huge with hot food stalls and a variety of arts and crafts stalls. We walked around Battery Point a very English looking neighbourhood above the harbour where the cruise ship Arcadia had recently come in to dock. We sat and had a beer and then picked up some massive prawns from a floating fishmonger and then made our way back to the apartment. Because it was such a clear day we decided to take a trip up Mt. Wellington which dominates the skyline behind Hobart.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Mount Wellington

    29 Februari 2020, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    The views are stunning, broadening out as we drove up the winding roads to the summit. The air was so crisp and fresh and with clear blue skies provided an excellent finish to the day. Got back and made a Raspberry Cheesecake in honour of Dave's Birthday Celebrations.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    MONA (Posh Pit)

    1 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Lisa and Dave took us to MONA , a world famous Art Gallery built into the rocks just up the estuary from Hobart Harbour. We caught the Catamaran from the dock and were shown into the Posh Pit, a special treat from L &D consisting of a very nice bar with comfy seats and complimentary drinks and canapes. The gallery its self is very quirky set out over three subterranean levels. There is a mixture of traditional modern art, historical art and some very confrontational pieces which challenge the senses and the sensibility. These included a mechanical stomach which is fed at one end and then produces poo at the other. A man who has made his body a canvass and sits motionless for people to look at, as well as some stark video displays depicting some quite unpleasant and challenging topics. We spent four hours there, there is so much to see. We got the boat back to Hobart for a couple of drinks then back to the apartment with a takeaway. Early night as tomorrow we take a 4 hr drive to Cradle Mountain where the temperature is set to drop.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Hobart to Cradle Mountain

    2 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Today is Dave's Birthday. We checked out and went and had some breakfast at a nice bakery, picked because of the quality of the cakes. We chose three cakes and did our best to hide them away in the fridge in the car without Dave knowing. Did a bit of shopping as we were not sure what would be available at Cradle Mountain. We took a tourist route which took us past a couple of huge lakes / reservoirs used to feed the areas Hydro Electric plant. We stopped at Delaraine for lunch, a small town where everyone seemed to know everyone else. We had lunch in the Deli which was very good. We carried on to Cradle Mountain with the temperature dropping the closer we got. By the time we arrived it had dropped to 7 degrees the same temperature as Haverfordwest!!
    Cradle Mountain Wilderness Retreat is a development of small alpine chalets set in a huge National Park. There is a main reception with a bar and restaurant, so not quite the wilderness but very peaceful nonetheless. We stayed in and had sausage and beans on toast and played some cards. Steady night as big walk planned for tomorrow.    Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Cradle Mountain

    3 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    The National Park is in the heart of the 1.4 million hectare Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It provides a variety of landscapes from Alpine rugged peaks to moors, lakes and ancient forests. We went to the information centre and decided on our walk - a 3-4 hr circular walk starting at Ronny Creek, up to Crater Lake. At that point Lisa and Dave would go up to Marion's Lookout at about 1200m while Ali and I would go down to Dove Lake. The park is incredibly organised , we took the bus to Ronny Creek and then started our ascent to Crater Lake. Walking was relatively easy along a mixture of boardwalks and stone paths but with some steep climbs thrown in to get the heart pumping. The scenery was breathtaking, probably the best walk I have ever done. Got back to the information centre in one piece and had a drink of water waiting for Lisa and Dave who turned up about an hour later having made Marion's Lookout, We had a nice meal and then back to the chalet just about ready to crash.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary

    4 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Packed up and checked out, but as our ferry was not until the early evening we had some time to explore the park a bit more. L&D went off for a walk and we decided to go to the Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary. The numbers in the wild have reduced by about 80% due to a face cancer which has ravaged the population over the last 10 years or so. No-one is really sure how it started and there is no cure, so breeding programmes like this are very important. They are quite vicious creatures with the males fighting face to face for supremacy and the right to mate with the female, often leaving scars on their faces. Some also have scars on their hind quarters caused by the females as the try to get away from the territorial males. We also saw Quols, very cute looking but equally as vicious dropping down on their prey from tree branches and paralysing them by sinking their sharp teeth into their necks.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Cradle Mountain to Devonport

    4 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We did a short walk through the Enchanted Forest and then met up with L&D. Managed to catch sight of some Wombats, a mother and its young and then a Wallaby. Started our journey back to Canberra. On arriving in Devonport we witnessed the first signs of panic buying with Supermarket shelves empty of toilet roll and hand sanitiser. Boarded the ship and went to the restaurant and had the all you can eat buffet. Filling the gap left by two days of walking through some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Melbourne to Canberra

    5 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Had a smooth crossing but when we arrived in Melbourne at about 6.00am the weather was pretty grim with some of the local roads flooded. Luckily not enough to close them but it did cause the level crossing gates to stay shut so after a bit of a detour we got on our way, ahead of us a 10 hour drive to Canberra. L&D took it in turns driving through the relentless rain but eventually it began to ease off and we arrived back in Canberra at about 4.00pm. Unloaded and had a Thai takeaway and a relatively early night given the nature of our earlier journeyBaca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Canberra

    6 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    L&D went and got some stuff for breakfast and as the weather was good we went for a walk around the lake to the National Museum of Australia. We walked through the grounds and saw some interesting pieces including a light tunnel by the same artist who did something similar at MONA. We had a quick look round the gallery and then back to the waterfront. L&D went shopping and Ali and I sat and had a couple of beers in one of the many waterside bars. L&D joined us and after a couple of sharp showers we went back to the apartment via the local bottle shop where a woman was giving tastings from a local vineyard. We bought a couple of bottles and then went back for dinner. Lisa had prepared some lovely prawns and Tasmanian Salmon. Starting to think of home now just one more full day. Will do some packing tomorrow.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Birds,Beer and Brod

    7 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Sadly spent the morning packing, ready for the long journey home. Ali and Lisa went off on their own and Dave and I went for a walk across the Wetlands - an area which had been used as a dumping ground for the building materials used during the construction of Canberra. The area was significantly damaged causing changes to the eco system. Over the years this has been put right and it has been returned to it's natural state encouraging a variety of wildlife and birds to make the capital their home. At the end of the walk we arrived in Fyshwicke, the home of the Capital Brewing Company. The bar was part of the Brewing Hall and food was provided by a Canberra Institution, Brodburger. Dave had the Brod Ap on his phone so we ordered when we started the walk. Just as well as there was a 57 minute wait for food. By the time we arrived it was down to 5 so just enough time to get a couple of beers in before tucking in. Lisa and Ali had been to the Zoo and got close up to some Meerkats sunbathing and a Wallaby who seemed to like Ali's massage technique.Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Enlighten

    7 Mac 2020, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We finished the day off by walking to the City Centre for the "Enlighten" festival. This is an annual occurrence where a number of the cities major buildings become canvasses for light shows along with a night noodle market, bars and other entertainment. We met up with their friends Bri and Sarah and spent some time eating bao buns and drinking beer before having a stroll round to look at the exhibits. With Autumn temperatures making the evening a bit chilly we walked back feeling a bit flat. We have done and seen so much, eaten and drunk too much - perfect holiday really!Baca lagi

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  • Australia 2020

    Back to the UK

    8 Mac 2020, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Said our tearful goodbyes to Lisa and Dave and took the short 55 minute flight to Sydney. Had a couple of drinks in the airport and then off on the next stage of our journey to Singapore. Had a decent flight, good leg room and as the flight was not full we had three seats between the two of us. Arrived at a quiet Singapore Airport and with only about an hour turnaround. We just about had enough time for a drink and a quick freshen up. Back on the plane for the final 13.5 hr journey back to Heathrow. Flight had a few more people on this time but Ali sat next to an interesting guy who was just returning from having been on tour with Elton John as one of his Chefs. Time went quickly and before we knew it we were back in the UK in the back of Paul's car on our way to Bridgend. The final 1.25hr drive seemed very short given the distances we had travelled over the last 5 weeks. Tried to stay up as long as possible but by 6.30 we gave in and crashed into bed. The final act of an amazing 5 weeks.Baca lagi

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    Tamat perjalanan
    9 Mac 2020
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