12 Days in a Wizzbanger

We wizzbanged across the north visiting Bridport and were gradually getting used to shops not opening til 10am. Not even the tourist info centres! Launceston reminded me of Parramatta with it's brown river and historical buildings. By now it was 38 degrees and the locals were suffering and I think hiding, we were 2 of 8 customers enjoying a local cider and beer overlooking the river.

Below: Ship museum at Low Head and one of many nice buildings at Launceston.

If you happen to be in Latrobe, Smed reckons the bakeries pies were the best he's had and he's had a few. They also did a great coffee. We watched platypus swim before heading into Devonport where we watched the Spirit of Tasmania unload. By now we know next visit we will be bringing our own van and spending several weeks, not days. We continued west to Stanley, a quaint little town, enjoying the road as it hugged the coastline most of the way.

Below: Stanley

Now here is a photo most people who visit Tasmania must have. Smed woke up with gout the day we planned to walk Cradle Mountain. I left him in the wizzbanger for as long as I could patiently wait whilst the gout tablets were kicking in before dragging him around Dove Lake. He had to wear his thongs but managed this 2-3 hour walk fine and even went for a swim (still too cold for me). The plant life changed from bush to rainforest to pine forests, a walk worthwhile.

Below: The boat shed at Cradle Mountain.

Well, you don't get anywhere in a hurry in Tasmania we found out. 100kms can take over 2 hours because there are many mountainous climbs and the wizzbanger was averaging 45kph. So our trip to Strahan seemed to take forever. We enjoyed the experience getting there and had the best day out on the Gordon River cruise which included a tour of Sarah Island, fish farms, a buffet lunch and great commentary. The cruise finished off at a huon pine mill, a great ending to a great day.

Below: Typical steep winding roads and the river boat with huon pine in the foreground.

Of course there is a lot of history in Tasmania so Port Arthur was next on the list. The pass allows for 2 days and you certainly need it. There is a lot of reading (information overload) plus a boat trip around the Isle of the Dead and Boys Prison. We shut the door in the solitary confinement cell and I could not see my hand in front of my face. We lasted less than a minute, no wonder people went loony.

Below: Port Arthur Penitentiary and one of the dogs from the Dog line at Eaglehawk Neck.

And of course we had to visit historical Richmond with it's oldest bridge, oldest church and oldest gaol. A scallop pie and a couple of wineries later and we felt we had a 'taste of Tassie'.

Below: Richmond bridge.



So overall we loved Tasmania and look forward to revisiting. I saw my most southern blue tongue lizard, tiger snake, platypus, echidna, wombat and one Tassie devil chewing on a roadkill. There were plenty of Bennetts wallabies, seals and bird life too. I discovered Elderflower water and Devils Corner red wine and am yet to see if it is available on the mainland. I have already found Tasmania's wasabi cheese. We quickly learnt to keep small change handy so buy cherries, etc from honesty boxes out the front of the farms. Tassie is full of quirky towns such as Doo Town where each house has the word Doo in it (Doodropin, This'llDoo). Very few boat harbours escaped Smed and the locals were most accommodating. We even got a tour on a 70 foot police boat thanx to skipper Lee who was about to retire after 30 plus years. He had some scars and stories of huge seas and was on the ABC show "The Real Water Rats". Well, alot more to share but maybe later.