Tasmania - 29th January - 2nd February 2024
The last of Australia's States and Territories for us to visit. Saving the best till last?
Day 1
We left the airport after picking up our rental car just after Noon. We had already researched a route via two of the painted water towers before going out to Mount Wellington and then seeing another couple of water towers before heading for the tourist park we were staying at.
Sadly both the West Moonah and Mount Stuart water tanks were surrounded by metal fences so you can't walk around them. They were both cartoon murals and lovely - the bits you could see.
Very quickly we realised we would love Tasmania. Gorgeous views wherever you looked and in built up areas it was just like the UK. Sadly the traffic was just like home too but you can't have everything.
Day 2
Port Arthur was our intended destination after visiting Midway Point water tower. Again sadly surrounded by fencing.
The drive down to Port Arthur was lovely, so many photo opportunities.
Our first stop was Pirate Bay to see the tessellated paving and the blow hole. On our way through we drove through Doo town. Our favourite house sign was "Doo Drop Inn" - very clever.
It was already 1pm when we came to the sign for the historical village of Port Arthur and decided we were having such a great time driving around the peninsular we didn't really want to go in, especially as we had seen 2 coach loads of tourists head down from the Virgin cruise ship we saw in Hobart Harbour yesterday.
Instead we dropped into the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and had the most amazing ice-cream. By far the best we have eaten all holiday. David had lemon curd - but it tasted more like lemon meringue pie and I had coffee latte - they were scrumalicious! As we drove around the rest of the peninsular I was surprised at how many alliums there were wherever you looked.
We had one more water tower to visit this side of the country at Dodges Ferry which also meant we could stay off the main road and drive the coast. This time the water tower was tiny but also lovely, next to a little stream.
Our last stop was to Seven Mile Beach. We decided we deserved a bit of a stop as it was 4pm by this time. The sun wasn't quite as hot so David laid on the beach whilst I wandered down to take a photo of the length of the beach. It was so peaceful and a magical way to end the day.
Day 3
A little cooler today but we decided to head off to Mount Wellington as we didn't manage to get there on Monday. It didn't disappoint. Driving through Hobart up the mountain reminded us of Edinburgh. We have driven up scarier mountains but none of those had buses coming down or going up the other way. Poor David's heart had a good workout. The views did not disappoint and again loads of photos taken.
The trip down the mountain was much easier than up. Today was our day for walking around Hobart.
David wanted to visit the Maritime Museum and I wanted to see the harbour front so that is where we headed. The museum was interesting and we didn't know that a ship had sailed (under foggy conditions) into the columns of the bridge over the Derwent River in January 1975. It took down a huge section and sadly 5 cars plunged into the river but they have an amazing photo of two cars teetering on the edge of the bridge. My favourite ditty however was a card in the gift shop which said "Sailing - the art of getting wet and becoming ill while slowly going nowhere at great expense". I thought it was hilarious.
The waterfront had a paved area listing all the winners on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race held every Boxing Day. They even had the Westward yacht there which won in 1947 and 1948. As with other capital cities the architecture was really eclectic. There were a few statues along the water front but we only came across 2 murals. We had lunch on a boat on the wharf - of course a fish platter - yum.
In the afternoon we went to the botanical gardens on our way back home. I have to say whilst smaller than some of the others they were really beautiful and I wish we had the energy to walk around them all.
Day 4
Our final full day in Tasmania as tomorrow morning we fly back to Brisbane. We had planned on driving up to Swansea and over to Avoca to catch two more painted water towers but it would have been an 8 hour drive and after the disappointment of most of the others being behind wire fences we changed our mind. Instead we decided to go with just 4 hours or so of driving and go up to Bothwell and Oatlands. Both towns are in the Highlands and they even had deer. The former, we had been told, has road names in tartan. The latter has a "real" windmill - although part of a museum now with loads of stone Georgian buildings. We then head down to Richmond which is another Georgian town and has a lot of the oldest buildings and the bridge in Tasmania.
Bothwell
A tiny little town but a charming visitors centre. Bothwell has its own tartan which I didn't know. The street names are indeed printed on tartan which looks very cute. A lovely place for a stroll.
Oatlands
A very quirky town - lots of talent here. Someone loves their topiary. We asked at the coffee shop and whilst she does her own she said the local council looks after the other hedges in the village. As we were leaving town we saw a very talent ironmongers which was sadly shut.
Richmond
What a lovely town but boy was it busy with tourists. Buses full of them - I guess the cruise ship hasn't left yet! The bridge is just delightful and the oldest Georgian bridge still being used. We didn't have a quick walk through but too many people for us. David did make us stop of at the bakery though so he could try one of the towns famous scallop curry pies.
Tasmania is beautiful just like Scotland or Wales and probably Ireland. Lots of hills, mountains and rugged coastline with the wind to go with it and today the occasional rain!
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