Hobart - Port Arthur - 9th January 26

After breakfast with Jak and Corinne we headed off to visit Port Arthur, the site of an old penal colony. This first meant a drive of about an hour further south.

On arrival we first had a boat trip booked to cruise around the coast to Cape Raoul. We boarded the boat which then headed out from the jetty and then along the coast. It was pretty windy (and chilly) standing at the front of the boat but it did give a great view.

We could see Tasman island to our left as we headed out (site of the highest lighthouse in Australia.). We first pulled in to Safety Cove before going back out to see some of the incredible rock formations and the cliffs that towered over the water. The swell was calm enough for the captain to get close in to see some caves.

After this he spotted some birds gathering out on the water and said that it is a sign of dolphin feeding activity. The boat headed there and we were treated to dozens of dolphins and albatrosses feeding in the water. There were also a few elusive seals there.

We eventually had to leave after spending about 15 minutes watching the animals and we moved further along the coast to Cape Raoul. Here we see another amazing set of rock formations. As the boat turned we were reminded that directly south is Antarctica, some 2,500km away and directly west is New Zealand, around 1,500km away.

The boat then returned to Port Arthur and we spent the next couple of hours exploring the historic site and buildings and learning more about life due the convicts and overseers!

After a quick snack we got back in the car and drove about 20 minutes with the intention of doing a short walk that Corinne had suggested. However, the weather was against us and as it was raining we drove to a few of the lookouts and saw a blow hole and some fantastic views.

From here we drove back to Hobart and regrouped. Jak and Corinne had a birthday party to go to and so we caught a bus to the centre of the city and spent a few hours exploring the bars and getting some food. At the end of the evening we had an Uber back and found Jak and Corinne home so we shared a nightcap before heading to bed.Leggi altro