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MarkTula Exploring Oz
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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Looking out into the bay
    The groundsMark sitting in a church and it didn't fall downAt David's ChurchThe PenitentiaryPetula behind barsThe churchwsCatholic Church remainsMuseumMilitary Barracks

    Port Arthur

    December 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    We spent two days at Port Arthur. It is hard to believe that it was a penal colony. The remaining buildings and ruins are very pretty.
    We did the introductory tour which gave us the basic information on the buildings and what living there would have been like. What I really liked was being able to read bios of the prisoner all around the grounds.
    Mark even sat in the church and the roof didn't fall in.
    We went and sat in the ruins of the Broken Arrow cafe where so many people lost their lives in the 1996 massacre. There is a very solemn feeling in these ruins which isn't in the rest of Port Arthur.
    Well worth a look. Wear good walking shoes.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The things you see on the drive
    The view to mountainThe Margate Train

    Valley Campground

    December 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We spent 3 nights here and while very pretty it rained most of the time (and cold).
    The campground sits behind Crabtree Rivulet.
    We did manage to go to the Margate Train and look through the shops in the carriages.
    Our next move will be to Huonville where we will be for Christmas.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The view from our site
    An amazing sunsetNot a very good picture of a platypusLove the coloursFarm time feeding a lambChickTassie devils1Marshmallows on a fire watch Carols on Christmas EveSanta came to the parkNew lights for the vanChristmas Day, Merry ChristmasShot Tower, TaroonaThe big bee at the Honey PotThe big axe, Longley

    Huonville and surrounds

    December 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We spent the Christmas/New Year period at the Huon Valley Caravan Park.
    It is a lovely park that offers different attractions. Farm talk and Tassie devil feedings. Activities for the kids as well as the river that flows around the park. Our site overlooked the river. Not a bad way to spend the time. From here we went into Hobart, Mount Wellington, Richmond, South Arm, Bruny Island, Geeveston, Franklin and Cygnet ( see another blog). We saw yachts from the Sydney Hobart race, climbed the Shot Tower (all 259 steps) and bought copious amounts of fresh fruit, mainly cherries and apples (I know apple isle).
    We are loving Tasmania so much to see and do here.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Geeveston the forest town
    Truck in the information centreOn the way to Hartz Mountain National ParkOn the walk to the fallsArve FallsArve FallsArve FallsWaratah LookoutOn the way to Arve FallsThe big tree no longer standing

    Geeveston and Hartz Mountains NP

    December 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    A short drive to Geeveston why not. It is a great little town known as the forest town.
    Great wooden sculptures all around town.
    We headed out to Hartz Mountain National Park to look at Arve Falls and the Waratah Lookout, beautiful.
    We went to see the big tree but unfortunately it was destroyed by fire and is no longer standing.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Heading to Bruny Island
    Cape Bruny LighthouseThe path up. Yes it is very steep1Up closeMark wanting a better viewSouth Bruny1Loo with a view, Cloudy BayCloudy BayView from the lighthouseThe Neck Game Reserve1The Neck Game Reserve LookoutThe Neck Game ReserveBruny Island OystersDennes Point

    Bruny Island

    December 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Bruny Island is a full day adventure. We drove from one end to the other stopping everywhere. The very south has the lighthouse (which we didn't climb). We had lunch at the Bruny tavern and afternoon tea of oysters at Oysterbay. Unfortunately the cheese company was closed for the day.
    We then went over to Adventure Bay by a very dubious road/track. A quick stop at the chocolate shop and then onto the Neck Game Reserve then up to Denned Point before getting the ferry back.
    We have not seen a bad view in Tasmania.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The Richmond Bridge. Built by convicts
    The most unlikely place to see a rooster, under the bridgeExterior of the Christmas shop is over three levelsChristmas shopBeautiful buildingsMiniature, butcher in old Hobart TownThe gingerbread house

    Richmond

    December 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Richmond is a beautiful little town with many local producers. We especially loved the local wood work shop. So many beautiful pieces we really loved the butcher block moveable island (it was too big for the van). I try really hard not to go shopping too much as it never fits in the van and then I am disappointed. They also had a fantastic Christmas shop with so many decorations and trees.
    What drew us to Richmond was the old bridge. It was built in 1823 by convicts. The brick work is magnificent.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    BelleriveBattery at Kangaroo BluffThe view looking back over to Hobart from the batteryReminded us of Flinders Street station in MelbourneI loved the different coloured roof tilesFantastic architectureSalamanca Art SpaceYou can see some of the items on the dockYachts in the HobartBeaver than meSandfordWellington ParkWellington ParkWellington ParkWellington Park overlooking HobartTasman Bridge

    Hobart and surrounds

    December 27, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We loved seeing around Hobart. We drove around to South Arm and saw Hobart from a different perspective. Then on to Rosny to the battery.
    We wandered around Hobart and went to the Salamanca Markets and did some shopping. I love looking at the old buildings.
    Another day we went and watched some of the yachts from the Sydney Hobart race come around the headland and go into Constitution Dock. ( No photos from that day, very windy and cold.) We saw the yachts in the dock. It is amazing how much they can fit in the yachts.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Set up again
    The Rocket coffee place. Brilliant coffeeSouthport jettyLooking over Lady BayJust a little birt road drivingThe start of a stalagmite. 27 years old. The white circle1Straws forming from the roof the start of stalactites1Mark in the thermal pool at Hasting Caves. It was 28° in the waterCockle Creek whale sculptureLovely pristine beachCockle CreekFinn's Beach

    Southport and beyond

    January 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We stayed at Southport Hotel (the most southern pub in Tassie). From here we went to Hastings Caves (dolomite caves) and Cockle Creek (the most southern point in Australia you can get to by road).

    Hastings Caves are amazing, brilliant and beautiful. There are 250 steps taking you as far as you can go and then you need to return by those same steps. Our guide was great with sharing all of her knowledge. It is a cool 9° in the cave all year round, but it didn't feel that cool while we were doing the tour (the hand rails were freezing though). We really enjoyed the tour it is still mind blowing how old the caves really are.
    We then drove into Cockle Creek. There are so many amazing beaches in Tassie, still too cold to swim in though we will have too before we leave in February.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Number 1Number 2Number 3Number 4Number 5Number 6Number 8Giant Cricket WicketsNumber 7

    Westbury

    January 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We took a drive to Westbury. Only about 20km from Deloraine.
    As we drove around to see the Silhouette Trail we couldn't believe how beautiful the town is. There are so many churches for such a small town. The architecture is amazing.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Penstock Lagoon
    On the way to Miena DamsGreat LakeRiver in DeloraineView from townSwing bridge50's dinerPlatypus having a scatchForaging for foodAshgrove CheeseAshgrove Cheese

    Deloraine

    January 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We left Southport and spent the first night at Brighton with the second night at Penstock Lagoon, Beginners Bay Campground.
    We spent 3 nights in Deloraine at the RV Rest Area.
    There are a couple of blogs for this area.
    Everywhere we go the views are amazing. Penstock Lagoon is a fly fishing lagoon (not that we tried it) but it is beautiful. When we left Penstock we stopped to look at the Miena dams on the Great Lake. The Great Lake is huge and spectacular.
    Deloraine is a beautiful little town with a lot to see. As we walked through the town centre we noticed lots of small sculptures (see next blog). We did the free platypus tour run by the Empire Hotel. The owner Mark was very informative and we got up close to the platypus.
    We drove out to Ashgrove Cheese and Van Diemen's Land Creamery.
    We went to Westbury the home of the Giant Cricket Wickets and the Silhouette Trail. (See another blog)    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    All set up and washing done
    View from the vanEarly morning viewFire doneCradle MountainCascade FallsPencil Pine FallsPencil Pine Falls1Walk from Ranger Station to Snake HillCloserEnd of the dayWombats at Ronny Creek1

    Cradle Mountain

    January 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We camped at Cradle Mountain Fishery and Camping about 20km from Cradle Mountain.
    We had a couple of fantastic nights beside the lagoon.
    Cradle Mountain is fantastic. We got to tick another item off the bucket list, wombats.
    The waterfalls are great, the scenery spectacular and we managed to go on a stunningly sunny day (very rare apparently).
    We did numerous hikes the longest being 3.5km going uphill (rookie mistake by me) but we made it.
    There is still so much more to see.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1, Australian Army soldier, Musician Steve Hickie delivers poppies.
    Commander Michael Devine, Royal Australian Navy, and his daughterUnknown Soldier. This photograph was probably taken in AustraliaNancy-Bird Walton, AO, OBE (16 October 1915 - 13 January 2009) was a pioneering Australian aviatorSister Dora Shirley Gardham of the Australian Army Nursing ServicePrivate (Pte) Miller Mack (1894-3 September, 1919), 50th Battalion.Flight Lieutenant Clive Robertson CaldwellThe Sheean brothers. Thomas (Mick) Sheean (left) Edward (Teddy) Sheean (right)An assistance dog taking part in the commemoration of HMAS Sydney Il at Martin Place CenotaphAustralian bugler Corporal Ashley Thomson and the Rising Sun badge

    Wynyard RSL

    January 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    While visiting Wynyard we walked past the RSL and I fell in love with the murals on the walls.
    There are 2 sets of photos for each mural. One showing the mural and a second showing a close up of the smaller pictures.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Going up the hillView from the topAs far as he got inBoat Harbour BeachSisters BeachThe water at Sisters BeachThe NutThe Nut from afarMarine Park StanleyBig cray on HurseySunset in Stanley

    Boat Harbour Beach and Stanley

    January 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We made our way to Boat Harbour Beach. We heard about a caravan park there that is good.
    The views are amazing. Each site has a view of the ocean and then up the back of the park at the top of the hill is a couch and bench to enjoy an extra view.
    From here we went to Wynyard (see the RSL blog) and Sisters Beach.
    We moved onto Stanley from here but the wind was fierce. We only stayed 1 night and will come back to Stanley before we leave Tassie.
    We did have dinner at Hursey Seafoods.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Abalone we found on the beachPower house

    Zeehan and Trial Harbour

    January 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We went to Trail Harbour and Zeehan for a day trip.
    Trial Harbour was in the early days a bustling harbour, now there are only houses and the nearest shop is in Zeehan. The gravel road is very windy.
    We went for a walk on the beach and found an abalone but threw it back. The sign at the beach said to swim at your own risk as they do get whales washed up that attract sharks. The beach is beautiful (apart from the march flys
    We went into Zeehan and had some lunch and went to the heritage Centre.
    We had a fantastic time there was so much to see.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Reece DamLove the reflectionsHogarth Falls

    Strahan and the area

    January 20, 2023 in Australia

    We are in Strahan for several nights to go on a Gordon River Cruise and to see the play 'the Ship that Never Was'.
    We did a day trip to Zeehan and Trial Harbour. (See another blog)
    On the way we went past Reece Dam. It is amazing countryside. Strahan is beautiful. It was not as big as I thought it would be.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    33Fish farmRuins on Sarah Island Convict Settlement

    Gordon River Cruise

    January 23, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Half day cruise on the Gordon River. It was magnificent the cruise starts by going out through Hell's Gate and then back into Macquarie Harbour. We went past some fish farms and then into the Gordon River. The boat we were on had both the diesel and electric engines. Once we went into the river they switched over to the electric engine. ( A lot quieter ride)
    After a buffet lunch we went to Sarah Island and saw the ruins of the convict settlement. There is not much left but the brick fire places. Our guide on Sarah Island was an actor in the play we went to that night.
    The play was so funny and interactive. There are only 2 actors and the audience makes up the rest of the characters needed. Well worth a look.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    4

    Queenstown

    January 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    The trip from Strahan is only short..we are staying at Queenstown Oval which is a gravel oval. It is very different. The town is stunning. We went to the Spion Kopf Lookout. The views were amazing.
    We had a half day train trip. (Another blog).
    We had lunch at the Empire Hotel they have an amazing staircase the details are great.
    We visited the memorial for the 42 men who died in North Lyell Mine disaster.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Mark panting for gold

    Rack and Gorge Train Journey

    January 26, 2023 in Australia

    The Rack and Gorge train journey was amazing. We paid for the wilderness carriage which came with food.
    The carriage had padded seats with a balcony on the back of the carriage.
    We were greeted with bubbles on boarding and canapes. On our first stop we tried our hand at gold panning. (No we didn't make our millions)
    When we got back on board we had morning tea of scones with jam and cream, lunch was chicken with roasted sweet potato and a roll.
    We had two more stops and a chance to have a walk. The last stop included turning the engine around.
    Sweets were Valhalla icecream (Tassie brand and so delicious) and before disembarking we had a chocolate truffle.
    We waddled off the train and walked back to our van.
    The guide was very knowledgeable and we learnt all about Queenstown and the mining accident that killed 42 men.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The Nut from a different angleSunsetStanley jettyOnly knee deepPenguins coming in.Mark at Robotic dairy.Mark at the Edge of the WorldTrowutta Arch2We always get low tide

    Stanley and surrounds

    January 31, 2023 in Australia

    We had a lovely time in Stanley this time. We were able to go up onto the Nut. The views are amazing. The view coming down from the Nut on the chairlift are spectacular.
    We had a look around town and then tried our hand at fishing. I caught 2 small fish nothing we could keep.
    We did a day trip out to Smithton and the Tarkine Drive.
    In Smithton we visited the robotic dairy. (No photos allowed at the dairy) It was interesting seeing how the machines work. It was a shock to find out that each machine cost $750 000.00 and they had 2. It is a lot less stress on the cows they come and get milked whenever they want.
    The Tarkine Drive takes you through amazing scenery. We saw the Edge of the World and the Trowutta Arch. It was so peaceful at the arch.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The drive to RailtonClouds are amazing

    Railton

    February 2, 2023 in Australia

    A one night stop behind the pub. Railton is the town of topiary. Up and down the main street the topiary are at different stages of development. There are also some pretty murals. We went into the cafe and were given some home grown white peaches they were so juicy they didn't last long.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Lake St Clair

    Derwent Bridge

    February 3, 2023 in Australia

    We stopped at Derwent Bridge for 2 nights. It is a free camp outside the pub. From here we did the Wall (fantastic wood carved panels) unfortunately no photos allowed we did get photos of the metal sculptures on the drive in, the Franklin River Trail, the geographical centre of Tassie, the old wooden pipeline, Lake St Clair and finally got to get up close with an echidna.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Last of the King's Rock CherriesRussell FallsHorseshoe FallsThe view from the top of Russell FallsPademelonsTall Trees walk

    Hamilton to New Norfolk

    February 8, 2023 in Australia

    The drive from Derwent Bridge was great. We saw the pipes for the hydro electric scheme. They are awesome. We spent 2 nights in Hamilton at a low cost camp and then 3 nights in New Norfolk.
    Hamilton is very small which only had a pub/cafe which wasn't open while we were there (staff didn't show up for work) so we went to Ouse and had lunch at pub there. Mark had the Scallops and they were fat and juicy.
    New Norfolk was great the camp was on a house block the owners were great we went up to Mount Field National Park and to Westaway Raspberry Farm and into Hobart to get the post.
    We found the best cherries in Tassie in New Norfolk, Kings Rock Cherries they were large and juicy. So sad when we ate our last ones.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The eyeSpider webSpider webFather and daughterWalk way into used sump oilWhite libraryHow deepStill young at heartCloaca Professional (poop machine)

    Hobart

    February 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    We spent the day at MONA with Nat and Mel. (They were in Tassie for a wedding)
    We had a great time it was a full on day. The exhibitions were very quirky. One we saw but I didn't photograph was the poop machine. It showed the stages of digestion and we were lucky to see (and smell) it poop. Yes that is right it did smell.
    After our day at MONA we drove past the Cadbury chocolate factory, it wasn't very impressive.
    Lovely to catch up with Mel and Nat.    Read more

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