Visit to Tasmania

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Trip Start Feb 13, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End May 12, 2008 Next
Entry

  Tasmania, Australia
Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Left Sydney at 08.55 on the Thursday morning. It is only a 90 minute flight to Launceston in Tasmania. When I left the hostel at 07.00 in the morning it was already quite hot so I travelled in shorts and t-shirt. When I arrived at Launceston I had managed to do my old trick on jinxing the weather!! I thought that was exclusive to Cyprus but obviously not. The temperature literally dropped over night by about 10 degrees. I did expect it to be a bit cooler but i got a nasty shock when the aeroplane door opened. Although it was still only mid morning it was quite cold and windy - a surprise to the system after weeks of hot weather !
My cousin Pat and her husband Mike were there to meet me. It was great to see them again after about a 20 year gap !
Pat had worked out a bit of a plan for the day, and as we were about an hour from their home we had a bit of a look round the area. Firstly we went to Cataracts Gorge, which had been developed through volcanic activity years ago. It is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, and I could see why. It is very beautiful and green, with an old fashioned suspended bridge which had spectacular views. A definite must for anyone visiting Tassie!
We then went to an area called the Punchbowl. I was able to visit my Uncle Herbie who lives in an old peoples home there ( Pat's father, my dad's oldest brother )Great timing as well as it was his 86th birthday too. Although his memory is not so good these days, he was on good form today. Physically he looked great with maybe his hair being a little greyer than the last time I saw him, but otherwise very little change. Got some great Photos.
We then went to Grindlewald and through a town called Exeter ( lots of english names here )before heading home to shearwater. Port Sorrell is North West Tasmania and is certainly a very beautiful place.
Friday morning Mike took me for a look round their home town and to a couple of great beach locations, one where he fishes regularly. The area is so unspoilt and uncommercialised. For years Tasmania was meant to be Australia's best kept secret, but there seems to be more and more people moving here. Mind you it is so sparsely populated, they certainly have room for them - and the roads are a dream to drive on. See another couple of cars on the road and they call it busy ! Also the weather was warmer and it was nice and sunny after having some rain earliy in the morning - the first for 6 months!!! Great timing on my part !!! Tasmania is in a drought situation and are absolutely desperate for rain, maybe I should stay for 6 months, that should sort them out !!
We then went to a Park nearby called Napatapau National Park. Stunningly beautiful area for wildlife, went for a walk and had a pic noc there and I got to see a Wallaby and a Possum. We went into the nearby town of Devonport in the afternoon.
Saturday we went to a town called Sheffield. The weather was good when we left home but was raining in Sheffield. The town is famous for its Mural paintings that are every where round the town. Today was the last day of the annual Mural Fest competition. There were about a dozen painters all there putting finishing touches to their works - they have 5 days to complete them. The winner gets there work displayed permanently in the town, the standard was very high. We cast a vote for our favourites - the painters were from all over the country and some from New Zealand.
We then drove through Gowrie Park to Cradle Mountain National Park. This is famous keen trekkers and mountain climbers world wide. The 85 km Cross Mountain hike is known as one of the best 10 world wide. I certainly have never been any place like it. It is known for its changeable weather. In the couple of hours we were there it was sunny, rainy, and it snowed and sleeted. It is famous for being able to experience all four seasons in a day.
We went on a short bush walk and I got some great photos. We went to Dove Lake and then took a very scenic route home. When we got back it was lovely and warm and sunny in shearwater - I can see why so many people seem to retire there!
Sunday morning we went to Mole Creek caves and Pat and I did a guided tour of the Marakupa caves. Once again something I have never experienced before and quite an amazing sight of Stalagmites and Stalagtites that have formed over millions of year.
In the afternoon we visited my cousin Clifford ( Pats brother, and my fathers name sake ) and his wife Sue who live in Westbury. They have what we would call a small holding there. Sue breeds Neufoundland Dogs and well known for this accross Australia. If you are a dog lover the website is worth a look www.yesallaw-newfoundlands.com ( This was named after Wallasey -spelt backwards- Merseyside where Pat & Clifford lived until they emigrated in the 1970's ) They have six Newfoundlands that live in purpose built Kennels. They are huge, hairy, friendly and simply adorable. Also they had 7 Springer pups a month old. Later in the afternoon we went to Pat & Mike's daughter and son in law Beverley and Andrew ( How can there be more than one such couple !!! ) for dinner, which included BBQ'd steak - fantastic. Had a great evening.
Monday we went to a lovely seaside town called Penguin, then onto Gunn's Plains and the Levcen Canyon. This Canyon was very different from the one I went to in Arizona. It was very windy but did a short bush walk up to a viewing platform and once again mazing views. I have never seen so many trees in my life, and also such diverse scenery in one place. The Greens are complaining that they have cut all the trees down in Tassie, well what rubbish, the place is covered in them.
Tuesday was my last day here. The highlight of today really was going to a great Wildlife Park. I got to see the Famous Tasmanian devils - they are quite a threatened species as there is a problem of facial cancer spreading amongst them, and despite research they could literally get wiped out. I got to see the famous Koala Bear and Kangaroo amongst a host of other things including snakes, Llama's eagles and all sorts of tropical birds. It was then back to the airport for an evening flight back to Sydney. I feel I have cedrtainly got a good taste of Tasmania. Pat & Mike have been excellent hosts and brilliant tour guides. They are really passionate about the State they live in, and are really proud of it too. The people there seem particularly warm and friendly, and I can see why they are so proud of it. So anyone planning a trip to Oz I would highly recommend it - it is certainly different from any of the other Australian states !!!

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