TASMANIA. 25.2.14

Triabunna.

We wandered around the town where it was blowing a gale, watched the loading and departure of the Maria Island ferry. There were some couples, families with push bikes and water and assorted camping gear.There are no vehicles on the island which is a peaceful haven for bird watchers, wildlife, walkers and campers

We continued driving until we found a good camp site at Mayfield Bay it was very popular with a lot of people set up for the summer with huge wood supplies and a wonderful variety of wood burning stoves. Lots of little kids too with lovely views and easy access to the ocean.

The beautiful bridge below was built by convicts and carries water to the ocean through a culvert (above) and cars across into the camp ground.

COLES BAY and FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK.

We stayed at the River and Rocks campground for two nights as all the caravan sites in the National park were booked out and the other option was Friendly Beaches which was further away.

We went to The Visitors Centre for information about the walks in the area. We wanted to do the Wine Glass Bay Walk we'd heard so much about and set out with a packed lunch for the long haul up to the lookout. The views over Coles Bay and Wineglass bay were beautiful with the sapphire coloured water sparkling in the sunshine. While we were dawdling along admiring the views ( and sucking in the oxygen), a springy young couple came up behind us..... none other than Kurt and Alice Crisp! We had a quick chat about family and off they went. We spent time at the lookout and then decided to do the trek down to Wineglass bay and have lunch and a swim. The track was rough and steep in places but pretty. We ate lunch and then discovered Kurt and Alice on the beach. Glenn joined them for a very quick dip in the cold water and I took photos. It was great to see them as always. Jim and Joan were minding the grandchildren so they could have a quick weekend away together after Kurt had walked the Cradle Mountain Overland Track.

Alice, Kurt and Glenn in the cool waters of Wineglass Bay.

BAY OF FIRES.

We drove into the highly recommended Cosy Corner and found it to be beautiful but too cosy with so many people, so we drove out again and eventually settled for the night at Sloop Reef bush camp a bit further north. Our spot was on a small cliff edge overlooking the beautiful bay with a ready-made fireplace against a big rock. We slept with the gentle lap of waves over rocks and awoke to a brilliant sunrise. Below our camp was a boat pulled up onto the beach and the next morning we met the owner when he came back in from fishing. Glenn helped him haul his boat up and later he arrived and offered a bucket full of flathead fillets. We took some for dinner and pan fried them that night. Delicious with home made chips and salad. Yummo !

Next day we meandered north until we reached the farthermost point of The Bay Of Fires, Eddystone Point and the lighthouse there. It was so windy but we are in the Roaring Forties as everyone tells us. The mornings are usually calm and at sunrise this morning there was not a breath of wind.

From there we took the turnoff at Policemans Point and went to Deep Creek campground. Lots of bushy spots along the river just back form the beach and out of the worst of the wind. National park camp... $13 for two and long drop toilets. No fresh water as is usual and provide your own firewood. We enjoyed the peace and the wildlife, including the large, glossy tiger snake curled around the campfire. He left and made room for us so there were no dramas.

Next morning we poked in and out of the beaches at the far north end of The Bay Of Fires and walked past a number of small houses owned by 'Shackies' as they are called. They all have superb positions, tucked in behind the sandhills with little walkways to the beach or the boat ramp, with water tanks and boats, and stacked firewood. What a fabulous escape from civilisation for those owners. Absolute peace in a beautiful natural environment. We almost made enquiries about buying one and then remembered that this is summer and I am sitting by the campfire, with a hoodie on as I write this in February!!!!!

We opted for the dirt road to Gladstone. It was deeply rutted and corrugated for the first section but a beautiful forest drive and then we came up behind the graders and the surface was perfect from there to Scotsdale. We wandered into the Salvos there to buy some warmer clothes for me and struck a number of bargain items for Glenn .. Barnbougle branded golf gear- two collared shirts and a warm sleeveless vest! Bargain!

We detoured slightly off the main road to go and see the ANZAC chainsaw sculptures in Legerwood. A number of trees were planted in memory of local fallen soldiers in WWI. Eventually these grew so large that they threatened homes and were cut down. The large trunks were left standing and have been sculpted with figures representing the fallen men, each one with an inscribed plaque with details of the soldier. It is a novel and moving memorial.

The following night we camped at Myrtle park just north of Launceston where we watched the platypus playing in the river. We had such a cold night there was frost on the grass 'til midmorning. The camp ground was huge and mostly grassed. There were showers and toilets for $ 6 pn which was excellent value? Can you see the platypus in the photo below?