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Australia 2020

February - March 2020
A 38-day adventure by Nick & Alison Read more
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  • Australia 2020
    Day 18

    Squeaky Beach and Lilly Pilly Gully

    February 18, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Didn't sleep too well as it was a breezy night and the tent flapped about a bit. Still, we had some breakfast and went off to see some sights. We needed to do as much as we can this morning as the weather is closing in. We drove down to Squeaky Beach where, because of the makeup of the sand it squeaks when you walk on it. We then drove to Lilly Pilly Gully and did a 2 hr circular walk through the interior. Lush forest with bird life and the occasional wallaby. The weather stayed mainly dry but with the clouds threatening we decided to return to the tent for some lunch. Good timing on our part as at about 2pm the heavens opened and for the next 3 hrs we had a torrential downpour with thunder rumbling around the surrounding hills. This cleared by 5pm allowing us time to nip to the central area takeaway for a Lamb Burger and chips. As we are only there for two days it didn't make much sense to use the shared cooking facilities. The wind had dropped and so we hoped for a quieter night.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 19

    Wilson's Prom to Phillip Island

    February 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    Left Wilson's Prom and took a few photos on the way out. Our stay too short to do this beautiful place justice. Drove the 2hr journey to Phillip Island and arrived at our very comfortable B&B. No one there to meet us but instructions had been left for us to let ourselves in and settle in to the room. Had our packed lunch, (last of the cheese and ham thank God!! ). Walked into the small seaside town and sat outside a pub in the sunshine watching HMAS Stuart slowly go up and down the coast. I offered to take a photo for some Dutch tourists but to everyone's glee technology got the better of me and I managed to take a selfie and send it to the guys mother in Holland - she was a bit surprised. We then drove out to the Penguin Parade. The whole thing was on a much bigger scale than I anticipated. A large modern structure containing educational displays and a series of wooden walkways taking us around the areas where the penguins have their burrows. We went down to a seating area at the waters edge and in the gathering gloom the Little Penguins started to come ashore. They go out to sea at dawn and stay out there feeding, coming back at dusk to avoid predators. We watched 243 Penguins come ashore and march back to their burrows, an amazing site. The only downside being we were not able take photos. An excellent experience and we even managed to get a selfie !!!Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 20

    Koala Sanctuary

    February 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Before leaving for Melbourne we visited a Koala sanctuary. Initially we saw a few up in the trees but when we turned a corner we came across one sitting on the handrail of the walkway. There was also another one eating its lunch. A great photo opportunity.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 20

    Philip Island to Melbourne

    February 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Completed the 2hr drive to Melbourne. Our room is on the 19th floor with a great view of the city. Having been travelling for a while we took some time out for washing etc. Before venturing out for our first meal. Took a stroll down to a restaurant called Claypots Barbarossa in one of Melbournes lanes - narrow streets with restaurants on both sides with outdoor seating. The restaurant served mainly seafood and had a great atmosphere with live music - two guys one on double bass and one on keyboards. Great food, Swordfish ceviche and ray followed by a spicy lamb tagine and a citron creme brulee. All washed down with a couple of carafes of house wine. All very delicious. We have set the bar quite high so a lot to live up to tomorrow.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 21

    Melbourne

    February 21, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Slightly overcast today with cooler temperatures. We took the free city tram down to Federation Square, a popular meeting place down by the river. Ali had identified a restaurant called Cumulus Inc a smart restaurant set in a warehouse building. We sat at the bar and ordered some sharing plates which were superb. Tuna on toast, fig and proscutio cracker, gnocchi with ricotta, roasted cucumber and mint salad. Melbourne has a reputation for good food and this place did not disappoint. Having spent a good 1.5 hrs over lunch we walked down to Federation Square and picked up some tips from the local tourist guides. We walked to the river and had a drink and then did a bit of shopping, the cooler weather had caught us out a bit and I bought a pair of Jean's which would come in handy in Tasmania where it is cooler again. In the evening we went to China Town. Ali spotted a restaurant called Flower Drum. We were greeted in a ground floor lobby area and sent up to the first floor restaurant by lift. As soon as we got out the lift my wallet told me to leave but it was too late. Good job we stayed we had an excellent experience. Amazing food and great service. Simple food but fantastic quality with little touches that made it very special. It turns out that this is one of Melbournes longest established restaurants with a pedigree going back over 30 years. You can always count on Ali to sniff out quality food !!Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 22

    Melbourne Arcades and River

    February 22, 2020 in 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.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 23

    Melbourne to Tasmania

    February 23, 2020 in 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.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 24

    Devonport to Launceston

    February 24, 2020 in 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.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 25

    Freycinet, Coles Bay

    February 25, 2020 in 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.Read more

  • Australia 2020
    Day 26

    Coles Bay, Vineyards and Mussels

    February 26, 2020 in 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.Read more

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