• Souter Sightseeing
  • Souter Sightseeing

TASSIE 2025

A short trip to Tasmania to see some favourite spots and enjoy some experiences we missed last time. Read more
  • Trip start
    April 30, 2025

    Hobart and Richmond

    Apr 30–May 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    We left a drizzly Sydney morning and arrived to a sunny, but brisk, autumn, Hobart day. We were picked up at the airport and taken to collect our hire car (Kia Stonic). We set off for historic Richmond seeing the oldest span bridge in Australia and St John's Catholic Church. Next we headed to Mt Wellington. Unfortunately the Pinnacle Rd was closed for roadworks but we did the short Lookout walk to see the views of Hobart. For the rest of the day we explored Hobart including Constitution Dock and Battery Point. We picked up some groceries and enjoyed some Vietnamese takeaway for dinner.Read more

  • Hobart to Strahan

    May 1–2, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Due to a road closure we had to take a longer route out of Hobart towards Strahan. We travelled through some lovely countryside and through some tiny towns. We stopped for a couple of scenic walks, one was the Franklin River Nature Trail and the other to Nelson Falls. Then some more long and winding roads through Queenstown to Strahan. We checked in to Strahan Bungalows then went to have a look around the wharf area and pick up our tickets for the Gordon River cruise tomorrow.
    Picked up a seafood basket takeaway for dinner back at our lovely accommodation.
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  • Strahan, and the Gordon River

    May 2–3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We boarded the Red Boat at 8.30am for the World Heritage cruise. First on the route was Hells Gate, the narrow entry between the Southern Ocean and Macquarie Harbour. Next we went ashore at Sarah Island, the harshest convict settlement in Australia. We joined the informative tour and learned all about life on the island and its ship building yard. Next we enjoyed a delicious lunch as we slowly cruised along the Gordon River to Heritage Landing where we disembarked for a stroll along a board walk. Here we learned more about the various trees in the ancient cool temperate rain forest. After a relaxing cruise back to Strahan we stopped at the historic saw mill to see a demonstration and some crafted items. Just snacked on cheese and bickies this evening.Read more

  • Cradle Mountain

    May 3–4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We travelled to Cradle Mountain, parked and caught the shuttle to Dove Lake. We decided on tackling the Crater Lake walk which begins at Dove Lake and ends at Ronny Creek. It took us about 3 hours. There were lots of steps, great views, a couple of waterfalls, several lakes, many boardwalks and 4 wombats. We were also lucky to see the autumn colour at Cradle Mountain with the turning of the Fagus, a native Australian deciduous species. A very nice but tiring day, challenging the ankles and knees. We then travelled to Moina where we are staying at Cradle Forest Inn.
    Hot chips and home made Lasagne for dinner from Cradle Gateway Cafe.
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  • Sheffield and Legana

    May 4–5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We stopped at Sheffield to see their famous wall murals. As well as the traditional ones on the sides of their buildings they have an annual mural competition and the winning murals are on display near the tourist information centre. We stopped briefly in Launceston on our way to Malcolm's sister Vicki's farm in Legana where we spent the afternoon exploring the property, seeing her renovations and future plans for the outbuildings. Vicki cooked a delicious creamy mustard chicken for dinner.Read more

  • Tamar Island Wetlands

    May 5–6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌩️ 19 °C

    This morning we visited Tamar Island Wetlands, a pretty spot with long boardwalks over the wetlands. Not much birdlife about today as it was a bit windy. After a relaxing afternoon we met some 'old' school friends for dinner at Rosevear Hotel.Read more

  • Bay of Fires and St Helens

    May 6–7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    We farewelled Malcolm's sister Vicki and, after fueling up and a brief stop at Woolworths, drove to the Bay of Fires. We drove through some grazing land and small towns. It was very windy and threatening rain when we arrived but we still explored "The Gardens" and a couple of other pretty coastal spots and stopped for lunch with a sea view. We arrived to check in at St Helens and were disappointed that our oceanview room was a carparkview room. We were eventually changed to a superior room but with a town view instead. We went to the Hotel Bistro for dinner.Read more

  • St Helens to Swansea

    May 7–8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    We drove along the coastal road from St Helens, through Scamander and Bicheno to Swansea stopping a scenic spots along the way. Just out of Swansea we took a look at the Spiky Bridge which was built by convicts in the 1840s. We stopped for lunch at Spiky Beach and then returned to Swansea to have a look along the waterfront. It's fine but very windy today. As Swansea closes early in the evening, we purchased a frozen Fettuccine each to heat in our cosy room for dinner tonight.Read more

  • Swansea to Port Arthur

    May 8–9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We travelled from Swansea to Port Arthur past some coastal and farming communities. We arrived at Port Arthur at around Midday, had some lunch in the car and then went in to the Port Arthur Historic Site. We looked at the informative displays in the centre then headed down for the 20 minute cruise out into the harbour and around Isle of the Dead. For the rest of the afternoon we explored the various buildings and ruins and learned more about life in the penal colony for the convicts and other inhabitants.
    We checked into Port Arthur Motor Inn and shared a pizza for dinner in our room.
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  • Cape Raoul Wilderness Cruise

    May 9–10, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We entered the Port Arthur Historic Site to get to our Cape Raoul Wilderness Cruise. We boarded, received the safety talk and set off. We passed the Isle of the Dead and were soon into rough seas with 2 metre swells. We went close to the rugged coastline, seeing beaches, cliffs and arches of the Tasman Peninsula. We also saw some NZ fur seals lounging on the rocks. As we got close to Cape Raoul, unfortunately one of the passengers fell and hit her head so our trip was cut short as we returned to Port Arthur. We stopped for lunch at the Port Arthur Visitor Centre before heading back to Hobart via the Tessellated Pavement and scenic coastal road.Read more

  • Hobart then home

    May 10, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    There was a beautiful sunset over Mt Wellington for our last evening in Tassie. Not wanting to give up a precious parking spot at our accommodation we walked to the Vietnamese Restaurant to pick up some dinner. We sorted and packed ready for an early departure on Saturday morning so that we could visit Salamanca Markets before returning our hire car. We were expecting to get an Uber to the airport but the lovely lady at Leisurerent Car Rental dropped us at the airport for our flight home. There was some lovely scenery as we flew over Tassie, the Bass Strait and the mainland before arriving at Sydney.Read more

    Trip end
    May 10, 2025