Oct – Dec 2021

Our Lap of Oz - Part 2

We’ve sold everything and are hitting the road for an extended length of time travelling Australia. Part 2 follows us around Tasmania for 9 weeks. Read more

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Trip start
October 3, 2021
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Day 1
Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 9:00 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia East Devonport Beach -41.171281, 146.38209441°10’17” S 146°22’56” E
Devonport
October 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Arrived Devonport and disembarked without problems. Lovely sunny day to start. Did some shopping for essentials and then headed to the Discovery Caravan Park to check in.
Managed to squeeze in a walk along the foreshore and spotted a Royal Albatross on the rocks. Weather turned pretty ordinary later in the day.Read more
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Day 2
Monday, October 4, 2021 at 9:00 AM
🌧 12 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia East Devonport Beach -41.171281, 146.38209441°10’17” S 146°22’56” E
Devonport
October 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
We had been delaying decisions about which way to head first until we saw what the weather was going to be like. Today was pretty miserable and all the forecasts were not good for the west coast. However we really wanted to visit the tulip farms at Wynyard while it was the peak of the flowering season. We decided to stay another day at Devonport and do a day trip to Sheffield in the Mersey Valley with the hope tomorrow would be better to visit Wynyard.Read more
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Day 2
Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 272 m
Australia Sheffield -41.381842, 146.32718341°22’55” S 146°19’38” E
Sheffield
October 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Such a lovely little town with murals everywhere. Faye was determined to try a scallop pie after missing out last trip to Tasmania so we visited Bossimi's Bakehouse & Cafe for coffee and pie for lunch. I'm not sure I'll bother with another one. The Mersey Valley is spectacular, pity the weather wasn't more agreeable. Faye had some back pain while in the car so the trip back to Devonport was non-stop.Read more
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Day 2
Monday, October 4, 2021 at 6:00 PM
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia East Devonport Beach -41.171874, 146.38207241°10’19” S 146°22’55” E
Devonport
October 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
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Day 3
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 9:00 AM UTC
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Table Cape -40.944357, 145.72568940°56’40” S 145°43’32” E
Wynyard - Table Cape
October 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
A better day weather wise so we headed for Table Cape Tulip Farm near Wynyard. The road to the farm is quite narrow and as we were towing the van it became a little tricky. We drove past the farm and on a little further to the Table Cape lighthouse. This was the lighthouse used in the movie The Light Between Oceans. Driving around the farm we could see the spectacular tulips in bloom. Back along the very pretty north coast we stopped at Sulpher Creek in a camp right on the waterfront.Read more
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Day 3
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 9:00 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Sulphur Creek -41.09347, 146.0260741°5’36” S 146°1’34” E
Sulpher Creek
October 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
A lovely campsite right on the beachfront. Much of the area was pretty wet and boggy but we managed to find a dry spot with a great view. Went for a walk along the foreshore and beach to a nearby rocky headland where the penguins come ashore each night. The local community has provided nesting boxes for them. Funny how you notice things like a train line between yourself and the beach but don't think about trains coming along...until they do.Read more
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Day 4
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 249 m
Australia Deloraine Recreation Ground -41.525094, 146.6599341°31’30” S 146°39’36” E
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Deloraine, Tasmania
October 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Heading back towards the east along the pretty north coast we stopped at Ashgrove Cheese Factory. Disappointed they didn't have any tasting options so we bought some anyway. Stopped at Deloraine at an RV Point near the centre of town. Again the camp was wet and a bit boggy but nice and open. After setting up the van we headed off for a couple of bush walks because there was no way we could tow the van into Liffey Falls. What a beautiful spot. I did carry the drone in but wasn't confident enough to use it. From there we headed to Pine Lake which is an alpine lake as the weather closed in. Passed a sign telling us we were 1210m above sea level. Thanks for that. It was too damn cold to get a decent photo. The fog rolled in.Read more
Traveler Liffey Falls Walk
11/10/21Reply
Traveler Liffey Falls
11/10/21Reply
Traveler Pine Lake. Real alpine landscape.
11/12/21Reply
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Day 5
Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 7:38 AM
⛅ 5 °C
Altitude: 249 m
Australia Deloraine Recreation Ground -41.52509, 146.6599341°31’30” S 146°39’36” E
Deloraine
October 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Another night in Deloraine at the RV Stop. The weather was a little kinder so we went for a wander around the town. The riverside walk is spectacular and so so English. They even have the original flour mill with the water wheel in the river. This was later used for power generation and was the first in the state. The parklands were lush and green and bursting with wildlife and their babies. We've seen ducklings. goslings, native hens chicks (locally known as Turbo Chooks) and of course the platypus. He was the largest and boldest we've ever seen. The trees lining the river are also worth a mention. Some are over 150 years old and were planted from seed stock originally brought from England. There is no need to go to Japan to get amongst the cherry blossoms either. The cherry trees in full bloom here were beautiful. The whole main street frontage here is heritage listed and rightly so. We stopped for coffee and a slice of something to warm up a little.Read more
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Day 5
Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 12:30 PM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 263 m
Australia Long Ridge Forest Reserve -41.56451, 146.5938241°33’52” S 146°35’38” E
Montana Falls
October 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
That afternoon the exploration of the Great Western Tiers continued with a trip to Montana Falls and the amazing Alum Cliffs. Just a wonderful part of Tasmania.
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Day 5
Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 3:30 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 410 m
Australia Alum Cliffs State Reserve -41.52358, 146.4582341°31’25” S 146°27’30” E
Alum Cliffs, Tasmania
October 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
Well worth the hike in.
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Day 6
Friday, October 8, 2021 at 12:30 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Stanley Green Memorial Park -41.449266, 147.18295741°26’57” S 147°10’59” E
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Launceston
October 8, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Leaving the lovely Deloraine we travelled to a wet and windy Launceston for a stay at Old Mac's Caravan & Motorhome Farm Stay. After setting up, a quick drive up the Tamar Valley where we found the B&B Trevallyn House where we had stayed many years before on our 25th wedding anniversary. A little further on we dropped in at the Tamar Island Wetlands Center for a walk through the wetlands over to Tamar Island. The boardwalk stroll would be lovely on a fine day. We had to hold on to the rails to stop from being blown into the river. It was really interesting though and worth the effort. The wetlands incorporate 60 hectares of mud flats, lagoons and islands teeming with plant and animal life. Also on the island are trees planted by the original settlers that had again been brought out from England. Firs and Myrtles we are not used to seeing are thriving.Read more
Traveler Yes that's a train line behind the van.
11/13/21Reply
Traveler Trevallyn House where we spent our 25th wedding anniversary.
11/13/21Reply
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Day 7
Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 12:30 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Stanley Green Memorial Park -41.44927, 147.1829641°26’57” S 147°10’59” E
Launceston
October 9, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Another day in Launceston to get ourselves sorted. A visit to Cataract Gorge is a must for any visit to this city so it was first on the list for the day. The river was raging through the gorge so it was really impressive. Couldn't tempt Faye onto the chairlift though so we walked the suspension bridge and did the gorge walk to Kings Bridge and back. Got some shopping done before returning to Old Macs Farm.
We thought it was lovely that there was a wedding on at the farm that afternoon until the partying continued well into the night. Just glad we weren't closer to the function centre.Read more
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Day 8
Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 12:30 PM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Waterhouse Beach -40.92273, 147.5499840°55’22” S 147°32’60” E
Waterhouse Conservation Area
October 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
Leaving Old Macs Farm the and heading north east we were hoping the weather would be kind. It was still cold and windy but the rain was holding off. A very picturesque drive through the mountains and valleys to Lilydale and then we stumbled on the Pipers Brook Vinyard with the Jansz Wine Room. Jansz has been our preferred special occasion bubbly since our first trip to Tasmania so it was a bit sad that it was too early to go wine tasting. Lovely to see the vines though. Travelled through Bridport which is a lovely little seaside town on the north coast before continuing on to the Waterhouse Conservation Area. We had heard that there was a camp at Ranson's Beach that was awesome but when we arrived the two sites were both taken. First time we haven't been able to basically take our pick. We drove around a bit to find another spot before bumping into some locals who pointed us to a camp called Mathers Camp a little up the road. Well, we really lucked out! Took a bit of wrangling to get the van in but it turned out beautifully. If you haven't seen the video it is at;
https://youtu.be/OdP-z3YI_c0
A couple of lovely days here and while it was still cold we were out of the wind and could have a campfire. A special spot.Read more
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Day 10
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 8:36 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Sloop Rock -41.18428, 148.2715841°11’3” S 148°16’18” E
Bay of Fires
October 12, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Reluctant to leave our camp at Mathers but move on we must. Back through Bridport and then south again through the mountains towards the east coast. We had heard great things about the Bay Of Fires but the weather had decided it didn't want to cooperate. Now we know what "changeable" weather actually is. Many free camp options along the Bay we ended up at Cosy Corner North in a spot tucked away out of the wind. A quick walk down the beach teased us as to how lovely the area is. The icy wind and rain tended to spoil it a littleRead more
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Day 11
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at 8:36 AM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Sloop Rock -41.18428, 148.2715841°11’3” S 148°16’18” E
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Cosy Corner North
October 13, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Another drizzly cold day. Yay! We did go and investigate the other camps here and while they might be ok in fine weather they would be very exposed on days like this.
Traveler St Helens Foreshore
11/13/21Reply
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Day 12
Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 8:36 AM
🌧 12 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Waterloo Point -42.129198, 148.07927142°7’45” S 148°4’45” E
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Swansea
October 14, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Heading south from the Bay Of Fires is a spectacular drive along the eastern coastline. Through St Helens, Scamander, Falmouth to Bicheno where we had planned to stop. A quick scout of the sites available convinced us to move on fairly quickly. We did find the "caravan park" we stayed at last time in Bicheno. I honestly didn't think it could have got any seedier but I've been wrong before. We decided to continue south to Swansea and lucked out with at the lovely Swansea Holiday Village. After settling in we were off for a wander along the beach.Read more
Traveler Falmouth
11/13/21Reply
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Day 13
Friday, October 15, 2021 at 8:36 AM
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Waterloo Point -42.129198, 148.07927142°7’45” S 148°4’45” E
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Swansea Holiday Park
October 15, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
A bit of an explore around Swansea today. It really is a lovely little seaside town reminiscent of many small English seaside towns. The walk around the headland and along the beach is one of the 60 Great Short Walks which we are trying to do. This is definitely one of the easier ones so far, but really enjoyable. Lots of birdlife to watch. The name of the walk just eludes me for a moment.
A browse around the local cemetery where we found the graves of the six children lost in a shipwreck of the Resolution back in 1850. All from the one family is so tragic.
LOCKDOWN! Late in the afternoon we heard about the lockdown order because of the w@nker in Hobart. Our options were to head back north or stay in Swansea. It was such a lovely park we decided to sit it out.Read more
Traveler Best selection of skimming stones ever!
11/14/21Reply
Traveler Spiky Bridge. It's claimed that the spikes were designed to prevent cattle falling over the sides of the bridge, though it turns out the real reason is to help the bridge weather harsh winds.
11/14/21Reply
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Day 17
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Honeymoon Bay -42.13156, 148.2986442°7’54” S 148°17’55” E
Freycinet National Park
October 19, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Free from lockdown we headed across Great Oyster Bay (well around the edge) to Freycinet National Park. The powered campsites were a tight squeeze to get the van in place but we eventually got settled. Camped right on the beachfront but protected by some vegetation it was a lovely site. Power and water and facilities provided for $16 a night - bargain. There are only 18 sites but they are pretty empty until around 3pm when the motorhomes start rolling in. Spent the afternoon on a couple of the shorter walks in the area, Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Sleepy Bay.Read more
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Day 18
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Honeymoon Bay -42.13156, 148.2986442°7’54” S 148°17’55” E
Freycinet National Park
October 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Our second day in Freycinet and the weather was not too bad for walking so we headed into the National Park planning on tackling some of the walks. The carpark was busy but the tracks were not. We headed off on the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk under overcast skies. The track has undergone a huge upgrade since we were last here. While there are obviously still many steps they are well designed and easy to navigate. The path itself is all compacted road base and quite smooth. The viewing platforms have had a massive upgrade. It is still a spectacular spot.Read more
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Day 19
Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 194 m
Australia The Willows -41.930594, 147.48530741°55’50” S 147°29’7” E
Campbell Town
October 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Shopping.
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Day 19
Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 184 m
Australia Ross Female Convict Station Historic Site -42.030168, 147.49300742°1’49” S 147°29’35” E
Ross, Tasmania
October 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
A stop in the lovely heritage town of Ross for lunch. We had heard the best scallop pies and vanilla slice in the country were to be had at Bakery 31 so Faye had to sample. After the last effort I decided on a beef and mushroom pie. Both were edible. We visited the Ross Female Factory site and the convict built Ross Bridge during a stroll around the town. There has been so much rain the Macquarie River was in flood.Read more
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Day 19
Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 408 m
Australia Marys Island -42.300979, 147.37269442°18’4” S 147°22’22” E
Lake Dulverton, Oatlands
October 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Lake Dulverton is in the picturesque town of Oatlands in the Central Midlands. This little town is almost all heritage listed with the standout building being the Callington Mill. The exterior has been refurbished since we were last here and the mill workings inside have been totally rebuilt. Unfortunately it was closed when we arrived. In fact the whole town looked like a ghost town. Still not sure what was going on.Read more
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Day 20
Friday, October 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 39 m
Australia Campania -42.68423, 147.4381642°41’3” S 147°26’17” E
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"Churchill" near Campania
October 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Our next stop was a private property "Churchill" that was built in 1845 by Winston Churchill Simmons. The property is Tasmanian Heritage listed and apparently last sold in 2006 for a tidy $1.3m. We stayed in a nice mown paddock at the back of the property with 4 or 5 other vans. The weather was still nasty so we looked for things to do in the wind and rain. A short trip to Richmond in a rare break in the weather allowed us to explore this wonderful old town. A visit to the Richmond Gaol Site is eye opening. Port Arthur is not the only significant convict site in Tasmania. We walked around town and down to the oldest still used bridge in Australia, Richmond Bridge. It is in remarkably good condition. We visited the Sweets & Treats shop in the main street for some...umm.. sweets and treats. The rain started again so back to camp. On the way we stopped at Wicked Cheese for some.. umm.. wicked cheese.Read more
Traveler Churchill
11/14/21Reply
Traveler Richmond Gaol
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Day 21
Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 12:00 PM
🌧 12 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Macquarie Point -42.885241, 147.33221542°53’7” S 147°19’56” E
Cascade Brewery & Salamanca Market
October 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
One of the good things about Tassie is that it is not that big. From where we were camped we could comfortably drive to Hobart for the day. A guided tour of the Cascade Brewery, the oldest still operating brewery in Australia was a pleasant way to pass the morning. A paddle of sample beers at the end was refreshing although the raspberry beer has not improved since we last tried it in Avignon. A short drive from the brewery was Salamanca Markets and as it was a Saturday we decided to visit. The rain and wind and Covid mask wearing restrictions had obviously affected the attendance. Back to "Churchill" for the night as we watched the Coal River break it's banks and rise into the paddock beside us.Read more
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Day 22
Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 12:00 PM
🌧 11 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Mulgrave Point -42.885241, 147.33221542°53’7” S 147°19’56” E
"Churchill" near Campania
October 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Another drive to Hobart today to catch up on shopping and gas filling. We drove along the banks of the Derwent out past Sandy Bay and through some of the old parts of town. The brick and sandstone buildings are marvelous. We learned later while visiting Port Arthur that thousands of bricks were removed from there to build homes and other buildings in Hobart.Read more
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