Cockle Creek

It is hard to say goodbye to such a nice spot but we’ve heard there’s more to see in Tasmania. So we pack up and drive along the Esperance river back to the main road. We want to see how much south we can go and decide to go to Cockle Creek. First we stop at Southport to stock up at the IGA. In reality there was no IGA at all and so we decide to buy the remaining stock of the local petrol station annex caravan park annex pub. It seems they haven’t had deliveries in a while because the eggs were out of date. The local egg farmer was sick and hadn’t delivered lately.
Ah well, the beach there was nice and Marjo and Nossi did a special dance.

Then we stopped at the Hastings Thermal Springs. Not that we were cold and wanted hot springs, but because there is a nice walk and we love water.

Then we endure a 30 km (!) long dirt road to come to the end of the world or the southern most point of Australia as we know it. The spot is actually a free camping and quite nice. Perhaps not as special as other travelers have made it out to be, but not bad (alright, we’re spoiled).

So we set up camp. It is already quite busy and because it’s Friday and nice weather (which seems quite rare for Tasmania) everyone seems to camp here.

On a walk with Nossi, Marjo finds a stream that seems perfect.

But, but….I hear you think….didn’t you leave the kayak behind on the main land when you left the trailer in the good care of Pierre?
Of course, we have to backtrack a little.

Remember this?

We got it at BCF before we went on the ferry.

Up close, this is what was in the box.

And this is what enfolded.

Someone got excited….

And some waited patiently.

But then we were ready to christen our new sea craft. In true Dutch spirit Marjo was sailing orange.

Nossi loved that he could follow Marjo wherever she went.

Even though he didn’t like getting wet.

Dotti tried too.

But decided quickly that it was smarter to wait for Marjo to return to her instead.

And Nossi followed suit.

And then couldn’t help himself.

So when it was my turn….

…I was all honoured to see Nossi even swim for me….

…until it became clear that it wasn’t me he was eager to see…

…and once he sniffed her out, he was out of there…

I tried the kayak on open water and we were quite impressed with the little inflatable.

A great stay.