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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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Day 684
Sunday, March 5, 2023
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 263 m
Australia Ararat -37.46, 142.54833337°27’36” S 142°32’54” E
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Back on the Mainland
March 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
We got back late Saturday night the 25/2.
Spent the Sunday with all of our kids. We had a great time for lunch and a couple of games. We then saw the build so far on Mel and Nat's house. We spent a couple of days doing general work on the car and van before making our way to the Hilltop family reunion (caravan company) in Halls Gap. We met some wonderful people. It was great to see so many Hilltops in one place. Approx. 70 vans.
We are heading back to Geelong and Melbourne for our final week before heading west to WA. We are going on a cruise with good friends Pat, Julie, Kylie and Allan before exploring WA.Read more
Traveler Now you have seen lots of Hilltop vans 😂😂
3/11/23Reply
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Day 670
Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 5:56 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia West Ulverstone -41.153333, 146.11333341°9’12” S 146°6’48” E
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The last week in Tasmania
February 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Our last blog for Tasmania.
We are sitting on the ship heading back to the mainland. The queue to check in and board was long.
Our last stops were in Ulverstone and Devonport.
From Ulverstone we went to Penguin and Burnie. The beaches in this part of the world are amazing. Too cold for Mark and I to swim in but the locals are swimming.
Oh what a trip we have had, neither of us can pick a best place or experience. We loved it all.
Tassie we will be back. (In a few years)Read more
Traveler Yum
2/25/23Reply
Traveler Cute
2/25/23Reply
Traveler Love this
2/25/23Reply
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Day 668
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Altitude: 270 m
Australia King George Park -41.381667, 146.32333341°22’54” S 146°19’24” E
1 1
Sheffield
February 17, 2023 in Australia
We left Launceston and stopped in Hagley to pick blueberries. It is near the end of the season but we were able to pick the tart late ripening blueberries (Mark's favourite). We were also able to taste as we went.
Next stop was Sheffield. We stayed behind the pub and enjoyed a meal.
Had a look around town at all of the murals and we bought Mark a pair of Blundstones.
We had a beautiful sunset the colours were spectacular.Read more
Traveler Gorgeous
2/23/23Reply
Traveler Weird
2/23/23Reply
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Day 664
Monday, February 13, 2023 at 1:10 PM
🌙 9 °C
Altitude: 402 m
Australia Lake Dulverton Conservation Area -42.3, 147.37666742°18’0” S 147°22’36” E
Oatsland to Launceston
February 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 9 °C
We left Hobart heading back towards Devonport in preparation for catching the ship back to the mainland.
Drove to Oatlands for a night and then onto Launceston.
We stopped at Ross to have a look around beautiful architecture again Tassie is full of wonderful buildings. We drove Jacob's Ladder in Ben Lomond National Park.
Jacob's ladder is only a short section but wow it is amazing.
Managed to get a couple of pictures of the silhouettes this time.Read more
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Day 663
Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 11:48 AM
🌙 12 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Fryingpan Island -42.813333, 147.26166742°48’48” S 147°15’42” E
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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Day 659
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Altitude: 250 m
Australia Mount Field National Park -42.676667, 146.71333342°40’36” S 146°42’48” E
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
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Day 654
Friday, February 3, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Altitude: 409 m
Australia Surprise River -42.216667, 146.0242°13’0” S 146°1’12” E
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
TravelerGreat sculptures
2/19/23Reply
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Day 653
Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Altitude: 752 m
Australia Serpentine Creek -42.116667, 146.51542°7’0” S 146°30’54” E
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
TravelerLove the hedges
2/19/23Reply
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Day 651
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 3:52 PM
Altitude: 180 m
Australia Trowutta -41.066667, 145.11166741°4’0” S 145°6’42” E
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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
Traveler Love the big frames
2/5/23Reply
Travelerthey are great
2/5/23Reply
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Day 646
Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Altitude: 243 m
Australia West Coast -42.153333, 145.49542°9’12” S 145°29’42” E
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
TravelerSounds like a great tour
2/5/23Reply
Travelerit was great
2/5/23Reply
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Day 644
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 5:16 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 135 m
Australia Queenstown -42.076667, 145.55833342°4’36” S 145°33’30” E
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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
Traveler Looks very grand
2/4/23Reply
Travelerit is I should have taken more photos
2/4/23Reply
Traveler We stayed here long long time ago. Happy memories.
2/4/23Reply
Travelerit is beautiful.
2/4/23Reply
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Day 643
Monday, January 23, 2023 at 3:06 AM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Indian Ocean -42.228333, 145.31542°13’42” S 145°18’54” E
3 3
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
Traveler A very nice lighthouse
2/4/23Reply
Travelerthere are so many lighthouses in Tassie
2/4/23Reply
TravelerLighthouses are one of my fave things, can never see enough of them
2/4/23Reply
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Day 640
Friday, January 20, 2023
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Strahan -42.153333, 145.33666742°9’12” S 145°20’12” E
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
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Day 640
Friday, January 20, 2023 at 12:47 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 185 m
Australia Eileen Joyce Reserve -41.883333, 145.33666741°52’60” S 145°20’12” E
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
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Day 637
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 3:48 PM
Altitude: 622 m
Australia Queens Park -41.436667, 145.52333341°26’12” S 145°31’24” E
Waratah
January 17, 2023 in Australia
We spent a couple of nights in Waratah on the way to Strahan. We had a walk around town and went to a lookout. A nice place to relax.
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Day 635
Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 6:49 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Circular Head Light -40.766667, 145.29833340°46’0” S 145°17’54” E
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
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Day 633
Friday, January 13, 2023 at 10:47 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Australia Flowerdale River -40.988333, 145.7340°59’18” S 145°43’48” E
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
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Day 631
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 12:23 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 807 m
Australia Pencil Pine Creek -41.6, 145.93666741°36’0” S 145°56’12” E
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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
Traveler Looks a good walking track
1/21/23Reply
Traveler Love it
1/21/23Reply
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Day 630
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 220 m
Australia Pumicestone Hill -41.526667, 146.65666741°31’36” S 146°39’24” E
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
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Day 629
Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11:25 AM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 254 m
Australia Pumicestone Hill -41.525, 146.65333341°31’30” S 146°39’12” E
Deloraine Sculptures
January 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
While we were walking around Deloraine we noticed little sculptures all around the town centre. They are really cute.
TravelerLove towns that do this, more places are these days
1/15/23Reply
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Day 628
Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 10:13 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 198 m
Australia Westbury -41.531667, 146.83166741°31’54” S 146°49’54” E
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
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Day 624
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Hythe -43.431667, 146.97333343°25’54” S 146°58’24” E
1 1
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
Traveler Looks good
1/12/23Reply
Traveler Wow
1/12/23Reply
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Day 616
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 11:49 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Australia Port of Hobart -42.881667, 147.36666742°52’54” S 147°22’0” E
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
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Day 610
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 11:54 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Australia Richmond -42.736667, 147.43542°44’12” S 147°26’6” E
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
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Day 609
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 11:17 AM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 55 m
Australia Courts Bay -43.491667, 147.14166743°29’30” S 147°8’30” E
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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
Traveler I do love lighthouses
1/12/23Reply
Traveler Good view as well
1/12/23Reply
Traveler That is a fabulous view
1/12/23Reply
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