Our Australia trip

Our last stay on the island of Tasmania better be good. We have seen an increased wind on Wednesday and want to make sure we are on the coast to see if I can kite. Port Sorell is the place of choice with a nice sandy inlet for shallow water and less waves. We have looked at campings and Camp Boomerang has a bush setting and allows dogs.

We drive slowly towards the coast and stop at Devils Gate Dam.

They say it’s the thinnest walled dams and somehow that shows.

When we arrive at Camp Boomerang, all we find is a relatively new looking primary school. That’s confirmed when we ask around and people say that the Camp is closed in lieu of a school and “No, there’s no camping with dogs in Port Sorell” and “Sorry there’s a no dog policy on all Port Sorell beaches between 9 am and 7 pm”.
There goes our idea of camping and kiting in Sorell. We slowly follow the north coast further to the west and stop wherever we can to look for a campsite where we can have dogs and kite and finally come to Turners Beach, west of Devonport.
We find a nice camping with very friendly people and a nice beach and decide to stay and have a swim.

And again later that afternoon.

The next day starts slowly, then the wind turns from the west and becomes ferocious; 30 knots with gusts of 40 and occasional rain. That was more than we hoped for and after several times checking on the beach we decide that it is too much and we potter around that day.

At night the wind dies down and leaves for a nice sunset.

A nice stay.

Posted from Turners Beach, Tasmania, Australia.

After the busy Steamfest stay, we want to see the beach again. I’ve also spotted that after the long period of hardly any wind this Wednesday there’s a sudden increase predicted. It is still a long weekend though and beachside campings are likely full. So we decide to visit the last of Marjo’s listed locations and look for a nice campsite here.

So we visit Railton because of the topiary. I had no idea what that meant until we arrive.

This last one is for Marjo’s brother Léon who has something for Elephants.

Another attraction on Marjo’s list there is the shop of lights which is advertised better than the reality and she comes back somewhat disappointed.

We drive around for a place to stay and visit Latrobe. It has a large information centre annex Axeman’s hall of fame. Apparently it is the home of the world champion axe wielder and the guy is impressively big on the pictures. There’s a plethora of memorabilia and you can buy replica axes, wood carved axes, fridge magnet axes, tea spoon axes, you name it. We didn’t buy any axes but had a good look. First Marjo while Dotti, Nos and I waited in the nice park across the river.

Some local youngsters swam in the river and at some point turned up with a baby platypus. The poor animal was scared witless and I suggested they put it back. When Marjo returned from her visit to the Axeman exhibition she tried to take a picture but the little one was too black and quick.

Then it was my turn to go. Where I just waited with the dogs, Marjo had the camera with her and when I was at the shop she got kind of bored.

We look around for a place to stay but the Latrobe camping is packed. Then we decide to turn back once more and drive to Barrington Lake.

There is Kentish Park which has a bush campground.
We are a bit hesitant when we see that the lake is used mainly for powerboats with tires, water ski’s and other loud and fast water crafts. Just like everywhere they come with loud groups of people, thumping car music and flying beer bottles.
It’s not so bad here though. Yes, there was all of that but the camp is huge with large paddocks on a hillside. They are on a slope towards the lake but we find a spot that’s not too steep and with blocks we are able to park the bus.

The view and the lake are quite nice.

Even at sunset.

We decide to stay for two days and have a swim in the lake every day.

A nice stay.

Posted from Turners Beach, Tasmania, Australia.

We uhm’d and ahhh’d a little whether we should stay here another day but the generators and some knucklehead who decided that on the empty field it was best to camp his caravan right between us and the lake convinced us that it was time to pack up.
It’s labour day long weekend and we are a bit concerned that it could be difficult to find a camping spot. Worst case, we think, we can come back here and try to put our bus between the knucklehead and the lake.

The next destination on our list of things to see is Sheffield, city of murals.

Not only for our benefit but also for locals and visitors, Sheffield organised the annual Steam Fest. A three day spectacle around steam engines that came from all over Australia.

In addition they had organised light horse riding, tractor pulling and other fun things. The nice part was that we could camp there as well.

There was plenty to see and do, such as horse and carriage.

With real Frisian.

Marjo picked up a lover, Pedro, for the the day.

Until his father Ludo intervened.

There were steam trains.

Vintage motor bikes and light horses.

Beautifully restored trucks.

And really anything to entertain the audience.

We had a great time.

And a great day.

Posted from Sheffield, Tasmania, Australia.

The first time that I made a panorama photo shot, not bad hey? Axel showed me how to do it.
Cradle mountain looks like a cradle, wieg for the dutchies, around the back it is very visible too, but that was a long long walk.
You can do lots of walking there, from ten minutes to 28 days even, the famous overland track is the longest one I think. You will find huts along the way to rest your wary bones, and register at the start and again when you are back safe and sound, yes they keep an eye on you!
The lake in front of the mountain is called dove lake, very cold and pristine water, like a mirror.
Thanks Axel for your patience, I had a great time, we were lucky they had a shuttle bus!

Cheers from a happy camper!

We have skirted a few times around Cradle Mountain because we get conflicting messages about how close we can get with the dogs into the combination of National Park and World Heritage. We decide to try anyway this time.

The road up the hill is winding and steep with nice vantage points.

Then the road leads to the Cradle Mountain visitors centre and no one stops us.

While the dogs and I watch the bus in the car park and enjoy the scenery and beautiful weather, Marjo joins the throngs of visitors and gets transported in another bus towards the Cradle Mountain National Park. We both had a nice time, she had the camera. She captured the mountain from various angles.

That last one with some iPad editing again….

And then she managed to include a stunning model in the foreground.

Not only the mountain is nice, also the surroundings.

The last one is buttongrass that grows in abundance here.

When we rejoin, we make our way back, partly along the same road.

Before we turn off a short dirt road.

Towards Wilmot Dam.

Where we camp overnight with nice water views.

And a nice evening sky.

Posted from Sheffield, Tasmania, Australia.

Although a nice camping, it gets quite busy and I might have mentioned once or twice that we prefer bush campings.
Before we hit the road though, Marjo takes a few pictures of some peculiar stump.

And funny enough finds her left thong (or flip flop for the English readers or jandal if you’re from New Zealand)!
With wood on her mind she snaps left and right before I snap her up for the ride towards Cradle Mountain.

As you know, we get easily distracted and instead of turning right towards Cradle Mountain, we turn left and follow the road towards Devils Gullet. Who can resist such an attraction.
After the steep and grueling corrugated dirt road we always wonder about the sanity of our hap hazard decisions. But then we’re rewarded with nice views along the road.

The walk towards the gullet is an attraction in itself.

And the gullet itself is breath taking.

It’s always difficult to transpose the feeling of depth and height into a picture.

Then we follow a better dirt road and come to lake Mackenzie, a large dam that is well below its regular level.

There is quite a bit of resistance from the greenies in Tasmania that feel that flooding bush to create dams for the generation of power is wrong. Tasmania is generating the lion share of renewable energy and the combination of mountains and plenty of rivers and lakes is a perfect combination for hydro energy. And I still prefer that well above any old coal power station or nuclear facility.

I get a little bored and try to convince Marjo that the Martians have left her a message.

She’s not convinced and we decide to continue even more dirt road and see if we can visit the Walls of Jerusalem (yes we are still in Australia). When we come to the track though it suggests to allow 3-4 hours one way, take a detailed map and a compass. We have neither and turn around.

Sick of the teeth rattling roads, we stop and take an unmarked side path that leads us to part of the Whitewater river. Because the dam is quite low the river is turned to trickling stream, but still nice enough to camp along.

The water is clean and flows fast, so ideal for a bath and also nice to walk along.

A great day.

Posted from Moina, Tasmania, Australia.

We wake up to another gorgeous day. After the few rainy days we had on the East coast we had nothing but gorgeous weather, nice and warm with a light breeze; just what the doctor ordered.

Although a nice location and convenient with a pub and food next door, we don’t like the car park too much as camping. So we pack up and continue the road around Great Lake.

Here is only the second time where we notice the bush fires. First was around Hobart and also here stretches of bush along the road are black.

The view from this height (1170 meters) is spectacular.

Then after many turns we come down the mountain and run into local wildlife.

Instead of jumping to the side he leads the way.

It’s good to see them all sound, safe and happy.

We enjoy the variety of landscape of Tasmania. From the ocean and beaches to the rugged mountains to the rolling green hills to the city scape to the stretching crop fields.

Marjo visits some galleries along the way.

Then, not far from Mole Creek we see a turn off for the Alum Cliffs and, because it’s not late enough for a nice beer at the camping, we think: “why not”.
The walk is nice (all up hill).

And it’s worth it; a great cliff and view of the river, far far below.

The last few kilometers to the camping provides a nice photo shoot of the local Berta fan club.

When we finally reach the campground we find a nice spot along the little river and we all can’t wait to get a drink.

A magnificent day.

Posted from Mole Creek, Tasmania, Australia.

Today we’re looking at towns, Launceston and Deloraine and see where we end up.

First we want to look at Cataract Gorge which is in Launceston. We stop at the tourist information office and, after following the signs and arriving at the blue “i”, find out the information office has moved. When we finally get there it seems that because of its central location there is no parking anywhere, so instead Marjo gets out and the dogs and I circle the block. Marjo fights with a nasty information officer and then we feel we have seen enough from Launceston. Well, first Cataract Gorge of course.

Cataract Gorge can be reached by walking up the hill or by the longest single span chairlift.

From there the view is quite nice.

There’s cute wild life.

And beautiful nature.

Then we leave Launceston and drive southwest.

We see hills and follow the view.

A stray cow distracts us for a minute and we would inform the farmer if he would have been home.

Then we see a sign Liffey falls and can’t resist.

Twenty five km steep dirtroad later we’re not so sure any more.

But then we arrive at the walking track to the falls.

The falls and the path there are quite stunning.

Now we seem to have a dirt road road, we decide to go for a camp site overlooking Great Lake. There’s plenty of dirt road and views of hills and lake.

But then the campsite is just a patch off gravel directly off the road and although this is a dirt road it is still used quite a bit.

So we decide to continue around the lake to find another opportunity to camp, which is not easy. This is all heritage area and no dogs allowed.

Finally we find a pub where we can camp just outside the fence and get some food as well. We’re all content.

A little (big) possum comes and wishes us goodnight.

A great day.

Posted from Miena, Tasmania, Australia.

This morning we get up early and leave for some sight seeing. We see the early beach runners and then we’re off.

Our first stop is for fresh fruit and veggies. The first sign along the road is clear and from there it becomes a bit of a guess. After 2km dirt road though we come to an organic farm with yummy blueberries.

Then we’re back on the bitumen and make a stop at Seahorse world where Marjo takes a tour of everything seahorsey.

And also weedy seadragons.

Plus an inquisitive puffer fish.

Then we stock up on some organic apples and pears for $2.50 a bucket; don’t you love stalls along the road.

Next we climb quickly and have a nice view of the Tamar river.

And then we turn off for the long-time anticipated Swiss village. Already on the trip over to Tasmania we thought to bring something back to Pierre and his family for looking after the trailer. And because they came over from Switzerland we thought that a Swiss village in Tasmania could have something nice.

It’s all window dressing unfortunately. Apart from all the houses in Grindewald looking like Swiss villages and the Swiss Village having a distinct Swiss atmosphere, there is nothing Swiss for sale. Not even a pocket knife.
When Marjo asks the shopkeeper looks stunned as if we are the first people to ask and he replies: “no, the closest we have is Dutch licorice”.

From there it went down hill (I meant we went literally down the steep hill), passed through Launceston, and followed the St. Patricks river west. Then we arrived at the Myrtle camp ground which was surprisingly nice. Very large sites along the river.

And when we woke up early the next morning to a stunning sunrise, we decided to stay another day.

The second day we spent cleaning the bus, laundry and some extended showers. We all felt fresh afterwards.

Meanwhile Nossi made himself at home.

A magnificent stay.

Posted from Miena, Tasmania, Australia.

Before we leave, Marjo checks out the beach on a short walk with the dogs and finds some things left behind by the ocean.

Then we follow the road along the north, driving west. On one side is the ocean, on the other hills. And in between lots of shrubs.

Suddenly we’re happily surprised when we see a live animal along the road. Not a cow, sheep or horse but a wombat. We have seen so many dead small animals in Tasmania, every two kilometers there’s a flat wallaby, possum or wombat so you can understand our surprise to see one that must have paid attention when they explained the dangers of traffic in Native Animal school.

Oops, wrong picture.

He crossed the road after we left.

We stop for groceries at Bridport and find it hard to access the beach. Not only retracts the ocean from the beach leaving a smelly foreshore but also the council has made the foreshore inaccessible for dogs.
So we follow a dirt track to where we can access the water.

Dotti thinks that the word “access” is grossly overstated and so I give her a hand.

Marjo finds a smorgasbord of stones.

And we follow it with interest.

We come to the Bellingham bush camping and find out that the council must have changed the rules about camping in the area.

Instead we have lunch and go for a walk.

Then we decide to head to Greens Beach which is across the Tamar river and cross the bridge.

When we come to the campground it’s packed and a sign “Park Full” indicates that there’s not much room left. We schmooze with the manager and get a last spot. Apparently there’s a beach run on and some event at the golf course. We don’t participate in either but are happy with a spot. After saying goodnight to the resident pets we have an early night.

A nice day.

Posted from Miena, Tasmania, Australia.